Planning your first viewing trip to Spain? Don’t be surprised if you board your return flight with a signed contract for a new home. It happens frequently, and we meet one couple who did just that in the Costa Blanca.

Retirees make up a large portion of Brits buying in Spain, with the Costa Blanca being especially popular – just ask Catherine Butt and Noureddine Ben Othman who recently bought there.

The retired couple are on the verge of moving from London to their new house in the Costa Blanca, an area of Spain they fell for when they visited for the first time last autumn. They had considered buying in the Costa del Sol, which they knew from holidays, but couldn’t find anything suitable for their budget there.

Catherine and Noureddine found the right property in a matter of days, paying a deposit to secure it and take it off the market, with the help of local estate agency HomeEspaña. Their home, which has three bedrooms and a solarium, is part of the Los Altos community, which includes a communal pool.

Added Catherine: “Thanks to our agent, everything went through very smoothly, and they kept us updated all the time and responded any queries very quickly, which gave us peace of mind. Our plan is to have moved out there by the end of April 2015.”

To get the most from a viewing trip to Spain, property hunters should make a few key preparations before their departure. Laura Richards, country specialist at free resource SpainBuyingGuide.com, explains: “Once you have organised where and with which agents you will view properties, remembering to leave some time for yourself to explore, you need to think about the scenario of needing to pay a deposit during your trip. Your starting point for this is speaking to a currency exchange specialist, such as Smart Currency Exchange. It would also help to have a lawyer lined up, ready to check any contracts you might need to sign while there – you may also wish to grant power of attorney, so that the transaction can proceed once you have returned to the UK.”

For more information on buying property successfully in Spain, download your free Spain Buying Guide from the Overseas Guides Company, who can also provide more detailed information on viewing trips. Or to see property for sale all over Spain, visit Rightmove’s Spain listings.

If you are considering a property purchase in Spain or permanent move there, opening a no-obligation account with FCA-authorised Smart Currency Exchange will enable you to benefit from their competitive exchange rates and specialist currency knowledge, ultimately saving you money and time. For more information, download Smart Currency Exchange’s free report or visit the Currency Zone