7 Weeks in Malaga: What a Spanish Mountain Home Renovation Really Looks Like
When I first walked into our mountain house in Malaga, I saw sunshine flooding through dusty windows and imagined slow mornings with coffee and the smell of pine in the air.
What I didn’t imagine was spending seven weeks living out of Airbnbs, juggling builders, and learning more Spanish construction terms than I ever thought possible. However, it was fun, exciting, exhausting and exhilarating all the same time.
The Dream vs. The Reality
The plan was simple:
Two weeks of renovation
New floors, new lighting, fresh paint
Move in and start living our sunny Spanish dream
Reality had other ideas.
The house sat tucked in the hills, which felt like a dream for privacy — and a nightmare for logistics. The drive alone was an adventure: tight curves, steep climbs, and a driveway that builders described politely as “complicated.” As soon as the builder started talking about how difficult it is to get there, those people were not the right people to work with. Some, complained about they cannot work without internet connection, well what do you expect, you are in the mountains…wifi or telephone coverage does not come easy. This was part of the deal, the house is in a stunning location Malaga mountains, only a few who know, truly understand what that means and Malaga centro is super close if we miss hustle and bustle.
Me sitting with Malaga mountains view, with a laptop writing my book
Finding the Right Builders (After Firing the Wrong Ones)
In Spain, renovating isn’t like back home.
Town hall approvals? A maze of paperwork.
Builders? Some don’t show up… or show up and disappear mid‑week or complain about everything and those that do complain are the worst kind.
Materials? We, my husband and I went to every shop possible to find marble sinks, marble kitchen tops and marble flooring not to mention many other materials and that time it takes to do so that most do not get it back.
Our first builders… well, let’s just say they weren’t a match. Deadlines slipped, and one day I arrived to find tools abandoned and no one in sight. We had to fire them.
The second team worked hard — but between the flooring installation, painting walls, and rewiring for new lights, the project stretched far beyond our two‑week dream.
Seven weeks later, we finally walked into a house that felt like a home. However, if you have ever done any renovating work you will know that the hardest job of renovating is finding trustworthy builders that actually do the work.
Kitchen before when we bought the house
The photo of a living room before, with not stylish sofas, overcrowded and not pretty
A bedroom before, make note the flooring and beds
Living in Limbo
Those seven weeks taught me patience.
We bounced between Airbnbs, living out of suitcases, always one step behind the dust and the paint fumes. There’s something humbling about walking into your dream home and realizing it’s unlivable for now — concrete floors, bare bulbs, tools everywhere.
But each day, little changes transformed it:
Fresh white paint replacing the dull yellow walls
Warm wood floors finally covering the cold tiles
Soft lighting where there used to be a single flickering bulb
I wish I could show you the before and after photos side by side — the difference is night and day.
Updated kitchen with marble island top, brand new kitchen, stunning wooden table
Kitchen with marble top, new appliances and stunning lighting
Living room with a fireplace and a view of Malaga mountains
Kitchen close up
Marble bathroom with stunning golden taps
Marble shower with stunning floor tiles
Marble sink we sourced in Malaga in one of the shops we found and, of course, a fabulous golden tap
Bedroom with Malaga mountain views
Another bedroom with stunning Malaga mountain views, wooden table
An entrance to a bedroom with wooden table and olive tree branch and wooden door with a handle
Another bedroom with marble flooring wooden windows and door
Lessons from a Mountain House Renovation
Renovating in Spain taught me a few truths:
Double your timeline (at least)
Have backup builders in mind — and don’t be afraid to let the wrong ones go or hire the good ones and never let them go. Ask for recommendations if you are doing it alone, do not trust Facebook it can be hit and miss, but might just get lucky.
Learn key Spanish words for materials, finishes, and town hall visits
Budget for temporary living — Airbnbs and unexpected weeks will happen
And most importantly: what feels impossible in the middle is magical in the end. Everything is possible you just have to know you can do it and you can. We did it with determination, huge amount of time and effort. This type of work is not for everyone it is for those who have vision, have patience and determination.
Why I Share This Story
Because this is the part nobody talks about when they buy property in Spain.
The Instagram version is the after photo — the sunlit living room with fresh paint and wine glasses on the counter.
The reality is the before — dust in your hair, endless paperwork, and chasing builders up a mountain road.
At Destination Home Spain, I help people avoid the expensive, stressful surprises I faced.
If you’re dreaming of buying and renovating here, don’t do it alone:
📩 Download my free PDF guide: 5 Things to Check Before Leaving a Deposit
📞 Book a 1‑to‑1 call with me — I’ll walk you through what to expect so your dream doesn’t turn into 7 weeks of Airbnb living
Because Spain is magical.
But the magic feels better when you have a plan.
— Erika
Top Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Property in Spain
It all begins with an idea.
Buying property in Spain is a dream for so many people — whether it’s a chic apartment in Barcelona, a sunny villa in Sitges, or a peaceful countryside home in Andalusia.
But here’s the reality: the Spanish property market is very different from what most international buyers expect. A dream purchase can quickly turn into a costly headache if you skip key steps.
Why So Many Buyers Get Caught Out
Every year, buyers lose thousands of euros because they:
Leave a deposit without legal checks
Miss hidden debts or structural problems
Forget about taxes and community fees
Sign contracts they don’t fully understand
The truth is, Spain’s buying process isn’t difficult — but it is very different. Without local guidance and proper due diligence, mistakes can be expensive.
The Most Common Mistakes
From our experience helping international buyers, here are some mistakes we see again and again:
Not understanding local property laws
Skipping due diligence on titles and debts
Ignoring hidden costs like taxes and community fees
Underestimating language and legal barriers
Rushing to buy on “holiday vibes” without checking the details
And this is just the start. There are 10 critical mistakes that we cover in our free downloadable PDF guide, so you can avoid the traps most buyers fall into.
Your Free Guide: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying in Spain
To help you buy with confidence, I’ve created a free PDF guide:
“Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Property in Spain”
Inside, you’ll discover:
✅ The biggest legal and financial traps that surprise foreign buyers
✅ How to protect your deposit and avoid hidden costs
✅ Practical steps to make your dream purchase stress‑free
📩 Click here to download your free guide and start your Spanish property journey the smart way.
Whether you’re dreaming of a beachside villa, a countryside finca, or a city apartment, this guide will save you time, money, and stress — and help you buy with confidence.
5 Things to Check Before Leaving a Deposit on a Spanish Property
It all begins with an idea.
Buying a home in Spain is a dream for so many — the sunshine, sea views, and “good vibes” are impossible to resist. But here’s the truth: those good vibes can be expensive if you rush into a deposit without proper checks.
Every year, buyers lose thousands because they get caught up in the excitement and skip essential steps.
The Costly Mistake Most Buyers Make
Here’s a familiar story:
You come to Spain for a weekend getaway.
You find “the one” — a villa, apartment, or countryside escape.
The agent tells you, “Leave a deposit now to secure it — properties move fast!”
And just like that, many buyers hand over money without knowing:
If the property is fully legal
If there are hidden issues or debts
If the seller is even in the position to sell
The result? Stress, lost deposits, and costly surprises that could have been avoided.
Slow Down and Buy Smart
Before you leave a deposit, there are 5 crucial checks that can save you thousands and protect your dream of owning a home in Spain.
I’ve put them together in a simple, free PDF checklist so you can:
✅ Avoid the mistakes that catch most international buyers
✅ Feel confident before signing anything
✅ Start your Spanish property journey the smart way
Your Free Checklist: 5 Things to Check Before Leaving a Deposit
If you’re thinking about buying a property in Spain, this guide is your first step.
📩 Download your free checklist here and learn how to protect your money and make your Spanish dream come true — without the hidden risks.
Don’t let excitement cost you thousands. Take less than 2 minutes to download this guide and buy with confidence.
You Fell in Love with Spain — but Did You Think It Through?
It all begins with an idea.
You landed in Spain free for a weekend. You sipped white wine, strolled palm‑lined streets in Sitges, and saw that perfect house. The one with sunshine, sea views—and maybe even a pool. That golden moment swept you off your feet.
Two days later… you put a deposit down. You thought you were one step closer to your Mediterranean dream. But that deposit? It can vanish in an instant.
Here’s why:
1 Good Vibes Aren’t Legal Proof
That dreamy pool might be “unlicensed.” The seller? Maybe there’s unpaid tax or community fees. Without proper checks, deposits often don’t get returned.
2 You Might Not Even Be Buying from the Owner
People get hypnotized by listings and forget to verify who actually owns the property. Surprise mortgages or disputes can leave you with nothing but regret.
3 You Don’t Understand the Micro‑Area
Pictures lie. One photo shows sunshine, another hides a 5AM traffic noise or lack of water. You need to see a neighborhood at different times — or your dream might turn into disappointment.
I see this happen all the time. I’ve been there myself.
I nearly lost €15,000. That sting made me realize: good vibes aren’t enough—and trusting agents alone can cost you big. That’s exactly why I created the Destination Home Spain PDFs and 1-to-1 Buyer Consultations:
Free PDF Guides like “5 Things to Check Before Leaving a Deposit” help you pause before you sign.
One-on-One calls dive deeper into your goals, your timeline, and how to navigate the Spanish property system safely.
So what can you avoid today?
1. Leave that deposit for later—after legal checks and title confirmation
2. Verify ownership—ask a lawyer, not just the seller’s agent
3. Understand your new neighborhood—for real, not for the ‘gram
Dreaming of moving here?
Grab my free PDF checklist — follow link — and consider booking a 1-to-1 consultation so you can go from “vibes” to verified. You deserve clarity before the leap — not remorse.
Let’s make sure your dream doesn’t cost you a fortune.
— Erika, Your guide to savvy, safe home buying in Spain
