Questions: on buying a home in Spain

What is the best way to buy/rent a house in Spain for retirement?  is rental better these days/ ?  buy one cash or with a morgage?

Has anyone bought a home using wincham tax advisers? 

We are looking at the Galicia region as the cooler weather may suit ..  any good ex pat groups around there..  we like to keep active hiking etc..  interested in eco type living with Solar/wind/heat transfer systems..(Geo Thermal) any Ideas ?
Look forward to reading some of the posts here now we are members..

Ian
Asturias 18th Dec 09