Buying a property off-plan is very different from purchasing a completed home. Rather than paying the full amount upfront, payments are typically made in stages as the development progresses.
For many buyers, this is one of the advantages of purchasing within a new development. It allows the investment to be spread over time, while also providing visibility over the construction process itself.
At One Eden, the phased payment structure used for developments such as Serenity Frontline Golf Homes Alcaidesa and Royal Palms Mijas follows a clear and established process designed to give buyers confidence at each stage.
What is a phased payment structure?
A phased payment structure means the purchase price is divided into several instalments, linked to specific milestones during the development and construction period.
Rather than paying the full balance immediately, buyers make payments gradually as the property moves towards completion.
This structure is commonly used across high-quality off-plan developments in Spain and is designed to balance security for both the buyer and the developer.
How the process works
Buying at a One Eden property is a straightforward process that usually follows the steps given below, although occasionally some amendments may be made:
1) Reservation Fee:
€6.000 returned to the buyer at the signing of the Purchase Contract)
2) Purchase Contract:
30% of the Purchase Price + IVA (with the Reservation Fee of €6,000 deducted from the amount due)
3) Title Deed and Keys:
70% of the Purchase Price + IVA
Optional Extras where applicable (to be chosen up to 10 days after signing of the reservation contract):
100% of the Optional Extras Price + IVA is due at the Purchase Contract stage.
Why off-plan purchases work differently
Many new-build homes are purchased off-plan, meaning buyers pay in stages throughout construction rather than paying the full amount upfront.
At One Eden, the structure is designed to keep the process straightforward and transparent for buyers. The first step is a €6,000 reservation payment, which secures the property and is later deducted from the purchase price when the private purchase contract is signed.
At contract stage, buyers pay 30% of the purchase price plus IVA. The remaining 70% plus IVA is then paid upon completion, when the title deeds are signed and the keys are handed over.
Optional extras selected by the buyer are paid in full, plus IVA, at the time of signing the private purchase contract. Buyers are generally asked to confirm these selections within ten days of reserving the property.
Spanish law also requires buyer payments for qualifying off-plan purchases to be protected through bank guarantees or insurance during the construction period, which is one of the reasons buyers should always appoint an independent lawyer before funds are transferred.
Reservation deposit
The first step is normally a reservation payment. This secures the property and temporarily removes it from the market while contracts are prepared and legal checks are completed.
At this point, buyers typically appoint an independent lawyer to review documentation, licences and the purchase contract.
Private purchase contract
Once contracts are signed, a larger percentage of the purchase price is paid.
This is usually the stage where the sale becomes legally binding and construction-linked payment terms are formally agreed.
Under Spanish law, off-plan buyer payments must also be protected through bank guarantees or insurance policies, providing additional security during the construction period.
Stage payments during construction
Further payments are then made at agreed intervals as construction progresses.
These stages are normally linked to key development milestones and allow buyers to spread the financial commitment over the build period rather than concentrating everything at completion.
For many international buyers, this creates greater flexibility for financial planning and currency management.
It also allows purchasers to follow the progress of the development itself, with construction updates offering reassurance as the project advances.
Final payment on completion
The remaining balance is paid when the property is completed and ready for handover.
This takes place during the signing of the title deeds before a Spanish notary, at which point ownership transfers officially to the buyer.
The property can then be furnished, occupied or prepared for rental depending on the owner’s plans.
Why many buyers prefer phased payments
For buyers purchasing within One Eden’s developments, phased payments often make the process feel considerably more manageable.
Rather than committing the full purchase price immediately, the investment is spread across the construction timeline.
This can be particularly beneficial for:
- International buyers managing overseas finances
- Buyers selling another property
- Purchasers planning long-term relocation
- Investors looking to structure capital more efficiently
It also provides time to plan practical details around furnishing, relocation or future use of the property.
Confidence in the long-term vision
One of the reasons phased payment structures work particularly well within carefully planned communities is that buyers are investing not only in an apartment, but in the wider development vision itself.
In the One Eden portfolio of developments, this includes landscaped communal areas, wellness facilities, pools, fitness spaces and the wider All Seasons Premier Resort concept designed around year-round living.
As construction progresses, buyers are able to see that wider environment gradually taking shape around them.
For many purchasers, that visibility forms an important part of the buying experience and reinforces confidence in the long-term value of the development.
A structured approach to buying off-plan
Off-plan property purchases naturally involve planning ahead, which is why clarity and structure matter so much throughout the process.
A phased payment model provides a more measured path to ownership, allowing buyers to progress through each stage as construction advances.
For those considering property in our developments in Alcaidesa or Mijas, which are designed for long-term residential living rather than purely seasonal use, this approach offers both flexibility and reassurance.
Discover One Eden
Through Serenity Frontline Golf Homes Alcaidesa, Infinity Seaview Homes Alcaidesa, and Royal Palms Mijas, One Eden is creating residential communities designed around quality, wellbeing and year-round living in distinctive locations across the southern coast of Spain.
If you would like to learn more about the buying process, phased payment structures or available residences, contact One Eden today.
