“Where trust and independent advice protect your Spanish home dream.”
Anyone wanting to buy a property in Spain will soon come into contact with a real estate agent. However, it’s not always clear who this agent actually represents. Many buyers assume an
agent will guide them through the purchase process, while in practice, this is often not the case. The difference between a purchasing agent and a selling agent is therefore essential to
understand before making an important financial decision.
The sales agent: works for the seller
A sales agent always represents the seller’s interests . Their mission is clear: to sell the property as favorably as possible for the owner. This means achieving the highest possible selling price, the most favorable terms, and the fastest possible sale.
While a sales agent can help you with viewings and basic information, it’s important to realize that this agent is not on your side . The sales agent is legally and commercially obligated to protect the interests of the seller, not the buyer. Therefore, any advice on price, risks, or negotiations will always be given from that perspective.
In Spain, a single sales agent often represents both parties , but legally, they remain the seller’s agent. This can lead to conflicts of interest that buyers aren’t always aware of.
The sales agent: works for the seller
A sales agent always represents the seller’s interests . Their mission is clear: to sell the property as favorably as possible for the owner. This means achieving the highest possible selling price, the most favorable terms, and the fastest possible sale.
While a sales agent can help you with viewings and basic information, it’s important to realize that this agent is not on your side . The sales agent is legally and commercially obligated to protect the interests of the seller, not the buyer. Therefore, any advice on price, risks, or negotiations will always be given from that perspective.
In Spain, a single sales agent often represents both parties , but legally, they remain the seller’s agent. This can lead to conflicts of interest that buyers aren’t always aware of.
When brokers offer both services: a structural conflict of interest problem
In the Spanish real estate market, most agents offer both sales and purchase services . On paper, this seems efficient: one party handling everything. In practice, however, this approach often leads to a structural conflict of interest , which buyers are not always aware of.
Many of these agents have their own real estate portfolios or work with properties for which they have exclusive sales rights. Therefore, when a buyer approaches, the first step is often not an objective search of the market, but an internal check: does our own listing contain a property we can sell? This makes sense from a commercial perspective, but is problematic from the buyer’s perspective.
Properties held in their own portfolio yield significantly more for the real estate agent . This is not only because the commission remains entirely within their control, but also because they often involve higher margins or fixed agreements with sellers. The incentive to actively promote these properties is therefore high, even if they don’t perfectly match the buyer’s wishes, budget, or risk profile.
This means that buyers often:
- see a limited part of the market
- viewing homes that are commercially interesting for the estate agent
- not receiving objective advice about alternatives outside their own offering
In such cases, the real estate agent presents themselves as the buyer’s advisor, but in reality, they still operate from their role as the seller. The buyer believes they are receiving independent advice, while the selection process is already tainted by commercial interests.
This isn’t a matter of malice or fraud, but of incentives . As long as a real estate agent profits from the sale of a property, they can’t possibly offer completely independent advice about that same property. No matter how transparent their intentions, their interests simply don’t align.
That’s precisely why the distinction between a combined agent and a pure buyer’s agent is so important. Only when an agent doesn’t have their own listings and doesn’t receive compensation from sellers can they search, compare, and advise unbiasedly, in the buyer’s best interest.
For buyers in Spain — and especially for foreign buyers — this difference can make the difference between a purchase that “went well” and one that is truly optimal, safe and future-proof .
Practical example: what can go wrong with a dual role?
Suppose a Dutch buyer finds an attractive property on the Costa Blanca through a Spanish real estate agent. The agent is selling the property themselves and offers to “fully guide the buyer through the purchase.” This feels good for the buyer: a single point of contact, no intermediaries, and clear communication.
During the viewing, the real estate agent indicates that the asking price is “in line with the market” and that there would be “a lot of interest.” Based on this advice, the buyer decides to submit an offer close to the asking price. What the buyer doesn’t know is that in reality, there was little room for negotiation discussed , because a lower price would directly go against the seller’s interests—and therefore also against the real estate agent’s.
The purchase contract includes standard terms and conditions without detailed explanation. Certain clauses that could have offered additional protection for the buyer, such as resolutive conditions or clear agreements on charges and costs, are not actively discussed. The real estate agent sees no problem with this, as the transaction can legally proceed and the sale is finalized.
Only later, after signing at the notary, does the buyer discover that:
- there was less room for negotiation than proposed
- certain costs are fully borne by the buyer
- there was little flexibility in the contractual agreements
The purchase is legally valid, but not optimal for the buyer . There is no fraud, but rather a classic conflict of interest: the real estate agent simply couldn’t simultaneously represent the best interests of both the seller and the buyer.
These kinds of situations are common in Spain and are precisely why the distinction between a selling agent and a buying agent is so important. An independent buying agent in this case would:
- critically looked at the asking price
- actively negotiated in the interests of the buyer
- contract terms have been tightened
- and clearly identified potential risks in advance
It is precisely this independent role that prevents buyers from discovering afterwards that they have made decisions based on incomplete or biased information .
Prime Buyers Agency Spain: purchasing agent only
At Prime Buyers Agency Spain, we’ve consciously chosen one clear role: we work exclusively as purchasing agents . We don’t sell properties, don’t manage our own listings, and never act on behalf of sellers. Therefore, there’s no conflict of interest with us .
Our sole client is the buyer. This means that every consultation, negotiation, and inspection is entirely focused on protecting our clients’ interests. We don’t benefit from a higher sales price or a quick transaction, but from a secure purchase under the right conditions .
In a market where many agents combine both sales and purchases, we consciously choose transparency and independence. This focus allows us to be critical of sellers and agents, negotiate effectively, and identify risks promptly. This ensures our clients always know who’s working for them —and who isn’t.
We manage the entire purchasing process: from search strategy and viewings to negotiations, contract review, and the transfer of ownership at the notary. We collaborate with dedicated notaries and legal specialists who are experienced in working with international buyers and pay special attention to clear explanations and protection for the buyer.
For foreign buyers in Spain, this offers peace of mind and security. You’re not alone in an unfamiliar system, but are represented by a party that is solely on your side . This isn’t a minor detail, but a fundamental difference.
Prime Buyers Agency Spain stands for independent purchasing guidance, transparency, and security. Exactly what a purchasing agent should be.
See also:
What is the difference between a purchasing agent and a selling agent
