--- title: "From Spanish dream to nightmare: how to protect yourself" description: Avoid the nightmare of squatters and vandalism when buying property in Spain. How an expert advisor and a place like Las Colinas protect your investment. image: https://lascolinas.no/hubfs/LCC%20SoMe%20bildearkiv/486647174_1217298577068132_8130400124962824195_n.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/from-spanish-dream-to-nightmare-and-how-to-protect-yourself-from-it#main-content) [![LCN WHITEGOLD](https://lascolinas.no/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGOER/LCN%202025/LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png?width=200&height=69&name=LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png) ![LCN WHITEGOLD](https://lascolinas.no/hs-fs/hubfs/LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png?width=200&height=69&name=LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png) ![LCN WHITEGOLD](https://lascolinas.no/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGOER/LCN%202025/LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png?width=150&height=53&name=LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png) ![LCN WHITEGOLD](https://lascolinas.no/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGOER/LCN%202025/LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png?width=150&height=53&name=LCN%20WHITEGOLD.png)](https://lascolinas.no?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://lascolinas.no/en/) - [Buying Process](https://lascolinas.no/en/process) - [About Las Colinas](https://lascolinas.no/en/estate) - [The Region](https://lascolinas.no/en/region) - [Show submenu for Properties Properties](https://lascolinas.no/en/properties) - [New Build Properties](https://lascolinas.no/en/properties) - [Resale properties](https://lascolinas.no/en/pre-owned) - [Show submenu for About Us About Us](https://lascolinas.no/en/advisor) - [Contact Us](https://lascolinas.no/en/contact) - [Partner: Vivente Design](https://lascolinas.no/en/vivente-design) - [Ai Assistant](https://lascolinas.no/en/questions) - Show submenu for translations EN - [Norsk](https://lascolinas.no/lcn-blogg/fra-spania-drøm-til-mareritt-og-hvordan-du-sikrer-deg-mot-det) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://lascolinas.no/en/) - [Buying Process](https://lascolinas.no/en/process) - [About Las Colinas](https://lascolinas.no/en/estate) - [The Region](https://lascolinas.no/en/region) - Show submenu for Properties Properties - Properties - [Properties](https://lascolinas.no/en/properties) - [New Build Properties](https://lascolinas.no/en/properties) - [Resale properties](https://lascolinas.no/en/pre-owned) - Show submenu for About Us About Us - About Us - [About Us](https://lascolinas.no/en/advisor) - [Contact Us](https://lascolinas.no/en/contact) - [Partner: Vivente Design](https://lascolinas.no/en/vivente-design) - [Ai Assistant](https://lascolinas.no/en/questions) - Show submenu for translations EN - English - [Norsk](https://lascolinas.no/lcn-blogg/fra-spania-drøm-til-mareritt-og-hvordan-du-sikrer-deg-mot-det) - Search - [Contact us](https://lascolinas.no/en/contact) [Contact us](https://lascolinas.no/en/contact?hsLang=en) Search [Security](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/security) # From Spanish dream to nightmare: how to protect yourself from it **A thought on security, choices, and the value of good advice** Many dream of a life under the Spanish sun, but what’s the one thing that can turn that dream into a nightmare? Often, it’s not dramatic events, but a series of poor decisions made from a lack of local knowledge. Last week, a comment struck a chord with me. A reader shared their experience of buying a property in an area outside Las Colinas. It began with every buyer’s worst fear: the home was occupied by strangers, a situation known as *okupas*. That alone can trigger a long and costly legal battle. But the trouble didn’t end there. After regaining the property, they rented it out, only to see it vandalised by the tenants. I can only imagine the sense of helplessness. What was meant to be a peaceful retreat became a spiral of stress, bills, and a fight against a system they didn’t understand. I share this not to scare, but to inform. These things do happen, and often for the same reason: people don’t know what to look out for. The Spanish property market has its nuances and legal traps. It takes more than a polished listing online to make a safe decision. This is where the role of a knowledgeable advisor becomes invaluable. A good advisor is not someone who just opens doors, they’re your strategic partner, conducting proper due diligence. That means checking the property registry (*nota simple*) for encumbrances, verifying building permits, and ensuring all documentation is watertight well before you even consider signing. After years in real estate and resort development, I’ve seen how costly it can be to miss these details. A trusted advisor asks the critical questions you didn’t know you needed to ask, to protect you from stories like the one I just shared. **“Location, location, location”** Which brings us to the core: location. That’s precisely why we’ve dedicated ourselves to Las Colinas. This isn’t just a place with beautiful homes, it’s a gated and guarded resort, built on a foundation of security. There is one controlled entry and exit point, manned by professionals 24/7. The result? A community where the risk of things like occupation or vandalism is as close to zero as you’ll realistically get. It’s structured, safe, and calm. That peace of mind is priceless. You’re not just investing in bricks and views, you’re investing in the confidence that your property is secure when you’re not there. You’re buying into a community built on order and care. And as a remarkable bonus, you get Costa Blanca’s most awarded resort as your private playground, right on your doorstep. Buying a home abroad should be one of life’s great pleasures, and it can be, as long as you start with the right precautions and the right people on your side. So let me ask you this: When you think about your own dream of living in Spain, what does that kind of foundational security mean for your ability to truly relax and enjoy your investment? If you’d like to have a private, no-obligation conversation about what’s possible for you and your family at Las Colinas, I’m here, and happy to help. Warm summer regards, **John Uppard** Temaer: [Security](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/security) ![John R. Uppard](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/b6f7881bdf24667b8e66a51a60495d65) Skrevet av **[John R. Uppard](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/author/john-r-uppard)** Apr 14, 2026, 11:44:26 PM [Follow me on my website](https://lascolinas.no/om-oss?hsLang=en) [Follow me on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/lascolinasnordic) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-uppard/) ![LCN FAVBLACK](https://lascolinas.no/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGOER/LCN%202025/LCN%20FAVBLACK.png?width=270&height=179&name=LCN%20FAVBLACK.png) Vi har listet opp de 8 mest vanlige mytene – og vi gir deg fakta som svar for å avlive disse. Fyll ut skjemaet for å få tilgang. ###### Kategorier - [Las Colinas](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/las-colinas) - [Lifestyle](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/lifestyle) - [Golf](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/golf) - [Investment](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/investment) - [Climate](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/tag/climate) ###### Nylig artikler - [The State of Real Estate: Costa Blanca and Las Colinas, July 2026](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/state-of-real-estate-costa-blanca-las-colinas-july-2026?hsLang=en) - [8 Things to Consider When Choosing a Luxury Villa in the Mediterranean](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/8-things-to-consider-luxury-villa-mediterranean?hsLang=en) - [How to Compare Luxury Villa Communities in 2026](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/how-to-compare-luxury-villa-communities-2026?hsLang=en) - [Safety in Suburban Neighborhoods: Your Most Important Investment Criterion](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/security-first-criterion-villa-community?hsLang=en) - [Buy a turnkey villa in Las Colinas in 2026](https://lascolinas.no/en/lcn-blogg/buy-a-turnkey-villa-in-las-colinas-2026?hsLang=en) ### Relaterte artikler ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "John R. 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