2. Collate and copy any important property documents

Several documents pertaining to the property and your ownership will be important requirements both during the sale and post sale for reasons such as tax declarations. You should consider making up files with both originals and copies of your paper records for easy access when required. Here is a list of some types of documents that may be required dependent on your country of residence:

• The Title Deeds to the property. Always keep the originals in a safe place, such as with your solicitor or in a bank box. Make copies as this is the first document that the buyers solicitor will request to prove ownership.
• In Spain and other Latin countries the title deeds are called the 'Escritura'
• Mortgage or loan agreement plus copy of your up to date mortgage statement showing outstanding money owed on the property. You can also ask for a statement of settlement amount for a fixed date in advance. Then you will know exactly what the financial position will be on the sale date.
• In Spain a document called 'Nota Simple' or Simple Note details who owns the property, constructed size, boundaries and what if any charges exsist. You can obtain a Nota Simple from your local Land Registry office on payment of a small fee.
• Copies of evidence that any property tax, basura, IBI or IMT has been paid up to date
• Invoices and Guarentees for any building work carried out during your ownership and where possible before you bought the property.
• Domestic service bills for items such as water, electricity, rubbish removal, telephone and gas/fuel. The notary may require proof that the outstajnding bill have been paid before completion can take place, or may withhold funds in order the property is sold debt free.
• Copies of service or maintenance contracts you have in place and the correspondening evidence of payment
• For properties with land attached, it is advisable to obtain a plan of the property from the local town hall or land registry. In Spain for example this is call a catastral reference, where this is not available or unclear, it is often a case that the buyers solicitor will request that a Tipographic report is carried out.
• If any modification to the structure of the building has taken place you should keep copies of the building plans used and the permissions from the local authoritiy.
• A history of the insurance cover in place on the building and contents

This is by no means a complete list and vendors should always take note to check for regional legal variation. Always keep copies available should the buyer or his solicitor request one, and remember to take all of the documentation to the notary on the date of completion.