Dirty trick?

Your friend says that it is 'just a holiday home' but it isn't, is it? It has become a symbol of your friendship, which she has thrown away.
It sounds a bit like a child wanting to play with a particular toy just because another child has it.
A proper friend doesn't behave like that.
I hate confrontation but I think you need to distance yourself from her for many of the reasons given here.

I used to have 'friends' like that. Note that I say 'used to'.

She is most definitely not a 'very good friend' as you began by describing her as.

I cannot imagine why on earth you'd want to spend time with this woman - pull out and buy elsewhere well away from anywhere you might have the misfortune to encounter her.

Don't buy that house any more. Your "friend" is pure poison. It's hard enough making friends and living amicably in Spain without being near someone like her... If there's a community there and she's around more than you, you might find all sorts of lies and untruths have been spread about you - worst case scenario.Look at it as a silver lining... she may have saved you a lot of money and considerable heartache.

Whatever happens re the house it seems to me that she's not a true friend and I would have nothing more to do with her. I hope you get the house you want, enjoy it and forget the unpleasantness.

If she knew you were buying this property then she is certainly not a good friend.

A friend and I are both planning to downsize, I went with her to view a property she is interested in - I fell in love with it! However, she also loves it and has put in an offer - there is no way I would now try to buy it, our friendship means more to me.

Sounds like both the property and the friendship is doomed, for you at least. You must be very upset and disappointed. She has shown her true colours as a 'friend'. Even if you got it, would you be happy there now, with her so close? Take things into your own hands and find a different place well away from her. And make sure you let her know why. Good luck.

If you are in the process of buying the house how can she swoop in and get it? I don't understand?

If you lived on the same complex would you trust what she might be saying about you and was doing behind your back?

She would probably do everything to make your experience of living there as unpleasant as possible - while all the time being as nice as pie to your face.

Personally I d buy a house in a totally different area (as far away as possible) From your second post it sounds as if you both wanted the same house without realising the other did
Do you really want to live on the same complex as this lady even if you get the house you want I would think any friendship from either side is now out the window and would make it very strained and difficult if you were to meet up at social dos or even nearby shops
I think I d start all over again and not include her in any new plans

Suggest you contact the seller of this house and explain the situation and that she has reneged on another house at the last minute. They might be genuine enough to stick with you.

Whatever happens this friendship is dead. Just goes to show you can’t trust people.

OK, if that's how it is then I'd certainly cancel the purchase and convey my thoughts to the 'friend'.

Find another holiday home where you won't keep bumping into her.

A 'very good friend' wouldn't behave like that.

I certainly wouldn't want some one so completely selfish as a friend, and I wouldn't want her living on the same complex either. If you fall out over this, which obviously you are going to then would you really want to keep bumping into her?

Sorry, I've just read a further post from you which explains she did know!

She's not a good friend.

On the face of it, it sounds a rotten thing to do to you.

Did she definitely know that you were going for that particular house?

In your position, I think I'd find out if she knew in advance that you were buying that specific house.

Whether you end up getting the property you've set your heart on or not, the friendship is over I think. I can't see you ever being able to trust her, on anything, ever again.

Ah, she is beginning to realise just how nasty her action will appear, when viewed by other people

she hopes it doesn't spoil our friendship but she has to do what is right for her. Or in other words she is saying: 'I am a selfish b--- and providing I get what I want I do not give a toss for our so-called friendship.'

At least you now know what your friendship means to her - nothing.

Bagatelle When she first chose the house she was buying the one we want was not available as someone else was buying it. \It then came back on the market and we reserved it not knowing that she had originally liked it better. It is in a better position and because of this is more expensive.

The loose lipped estate agent, knowing we were friends, has obviously told her and she has thrown a wobbly.

I have had a text from her giving all sorts of reasons and saying we should buy another one as it is only a holiday home. She finishes off by saying she hopes it doesn't spoil our friendship but she has to do what is right for her.

I am waiting until I have spoken to the agent tomorrow and found out what is going to happen before I reply but am not optimistic.

"She has either been told or found out the particular house we want" - so you didn't actually tell her which one it was? Is it possible that she suddenly realised that it was available (you are just at the start of buying) and was going for it anyway?

I agree with notanan2. Make sure that it isn't all a mistake. If it isn't, do you really want to be anywhere near her when you are on holiday?

That is so bad. Is she jealous of you?
As suggested, you should speak to her as soon as possible.
By the way, if you have started on the purchase route, how is she able to step in and snatch it from under your nose?
Definitely not a friend to you.
Good luck, and I hope you do get the house you so want.

Contact her now and let her know how upset you are. If she still changes to your chosen house then I’m afraid the friendship would be over for me.
Yes, a dirty trick.

Definitely beyond the pale Framilode but I am curious as to why she is doing this.
Time for an honest conversation now I think even if it means the end of the friendship. I agree with Charleygirl do you want to be living /holidaying in close proximity to this person.

I’d have to ask more questions of her and let her know I’m not happy. Certainly give her a chance to talk before dumping her if that’s her plan. Let us know what she says.

That is the lowest of the low- how could she even contemplate doing that?

Even if you end up buying that house and you are both living close together I would never ever trust her again and I would not want to be living within a million miles of her.

Friend ? I think not.