Searching for a property online should be an exciting experience. Whether you're looking for a holiday home in Jávea, a permanent move to Spain or a winter rental on the Costa Blanca, property portals and social media make it easier than ever to browse homes from anywhere in the world.
But there is a growing problem that property hunters need to be aware of: fake property listings.
Sometimes referred to as "housefishing", this is when someone advertises a property online that isn't genuinely available, doesn't belong to them or doesn't exist at all.
The aim is usually to persuade an interested buyer or tenant to send money or personal information before discovering that the property isn't actually available.
For anyone searching for property from overseas, this can be particularly worrying.
A fake listing may look completely genuine.
The advertiser might use:
Sometimes scammers copy photographs and descriptions from real estate agents and then advertise the property themselves, often at a price that looks particularly attractive.
Once someone makes an enquiry, they may be told that there are lots of other interested people and that they need to pay a deposit quickly to secure the property.
Unfortunately, once the money has been transferred, the person behind the advert may disappear.
Buying or renting a property in another country can make it more difficult to check whether a listing is genuine.
You may not be able to visit the property immediately, particularly if you're still living in the UK or another country.
You may also be unfamiliar with the local area, the Spanish property market and the normal buying or rental process.
This can make it easier for someone to create a convincing story around a fake property.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to protect yourself.
Before sending any money, find out exactly who you're dealing with.
If the property is advertised by an estate agency, visit the agency's own website and check that the property appears there.
Look for:
Be particularly careful if someone only communicates through WhatsApp and refuses to provide any verifiable business details.
Everyone loves a bargain, but if a property is significantly cheaper than similar homes in the same area, it's worth asking why.
Research comparable properties in the area.
For example, if you're looking for a villa in Jávea and most similar properties are advertised at €500,000–€600,000, but one appears online for €300,000, you should investigate carefully before assuming you've found an incredible bargain.
A low price doesn't automatically mean a scam, but it should encourage you to ask questions.
One of the biggest warning signs is pressure to transfer money immediately.
You may be told:
"There are several other people interested."
or:
"You need to pay the deposit today."
Don't let pressure make you skip essential checks.
A genuine property professional should understand that buyers and tenants need time to make informed decisions and arrange the appropriate legal or financial checks.
Whenever possible, arrange a viewing.
If you're overseas, consider asking someone you trust to view the property on your behalf or arrange a video viewing with the estate agent.
Be cautious if someone repeatedly refuses to show you the property or always has an excuse for why a viewing isn't possible.
A video call can be helpful, but remember that even photographs and videos can be copied from genuine listings.
Never send money simply because someone has sent you photographs of a property or a copy of an ID document.
Before transferring money, make sure you understand:
For property purchases, always use an independent lawyer to carry out the necessary checks and guide you through the process.
If you're looking at a property advertised by an estate agency, ask for its property reference.
A genuine agency should be able to identify the property within its own system.
If you've seen a property on social media, you can also search for the address or description online. You may discover that the same photographs have been used by several different advertisers.
This is an important warning sign.
Modern technology makes it easy to create convincing property adverts.
Beautiful photographs, floor plans and detailed descriptions don't necessarily prove that the person advertising the property has any connection with it.
The important question is:
Can you verify who is actually responsible for the property?
If you're purchasing a property in Spain, using an independent lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take.
Your lawyer can help with the necessary legal checks and ensure that the purchase process is handled correctly.
Never feel pressured to skip these steps because someone tells you that another buyer is waiting.
A genuine property purchase should be properly documented and professionally managed.
If you're looking for a long-term rental or winter let in Jávea, make sure you're dealing with an established and reputable property professional.
Ask questions, arrange a viewing where possible and make sure you understand the rental agreement and payment requirements before transferring money.
If you are searching from overseas, a reputable agency should be able to explain the process clearly and answer your questions.
Buying or renting a property in Spain should be an exciting experience — not something that leaves you feeling uncertain about who you're dealing with.
At VillaMia, we've been helping people buy, sell and rent property in Jávea and the Costa Blanca North since 2005.
Our team is based locally in Jávea, and we're here to help buyers and tenants navigate the local property market.
If you see a property online and aren't sure whether it's genuine, our advice is simple:
Do your research. Ask questions. Don't rush. And never send money until you're confident you know exactly who you're dealing with.
Whether you're looking to buy a villa, find a long-term rental or spend the winter in Spain, the VillaMia team can help you find a property that's right for you.
View our latest properties or contact VillaMia today.
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