A common mistake buyers make when dealing with Spanish real estate agents is assuming that the market functions the same way as in their home country and that the agent's role is identical. Agents in Spain operate differently, and understanding these differences is crucial to optimising your relationship with them. Furthermore, while in most countries all agents work under a similar business model, in Spain not all agents are equal; some operate under entirely different business models to others.

In this chapter, I will explain the history of the Spanish property market, detailing how the market has developed over the past few decades into what we see today. I will highlight key practices within the marketplace that have allowed agents to establish different ways of operating, including some practices that should raise red flags.

I will then examine the different business models that exist within the estate agents' market, explaining how these differing models work. By the end of the chapter, you will understand what type of estate agent will best suit your needs and the best way to approach working with them. This will help you make the most of your working relationship with your agent and avoid expecting your agent to perform tasks beyond their scope or, more importantly, asking them to handle tasks that should be managed by a third party for your own best interests.