Looking to sell property
on the Costa del Sol?

A listing agent helps you sell at the right price, to the right buyer, with minimal complications. They handle market valuation, marketing, buyer qualification, negotiations, and coordinate the entire transaction through to notary and beyond.

With an agent, common mistakes are avoided — incorrect pricing (either too high, leading to months on the market, or too low, resulting in a direct financial loss), targeting the wrong audience, and incomplete documentation that can delay or derail the transaction. A professional agent understands the international buyer profile, knows which channels to use, and can filter serious buyers from casual viewers. Commission on the Costa del Sol is typically 5% + VAT and is included in the sale price.

Book a free consultation — Get a clearer view of your likely market value and what you may net from the sale after costs.

The main documents are: the title deed (escritura), land registry extract (nota simple), energy certificate (CEE), and the latest receipts for property tax (IBI) and waste tax (basura). Without these, the selling process cannot begin.

Older and rural properties may lack a first occupancy licence (licencia de primera ocupación) — in this case, an urban planning report (informe urbanístico) from the local municipality is required. If you have carried out extensions or renovations, these must be legalised and registered in the building records; otherwise, the transaction may be delayed. The property’s surface area must also match across the escritura, land registry, and cadastral records — discrepancies create issues, especially if the buyer requires financing.

Book a free consultation — You’ll get a clear list of documents to prepare before going to market.

The seller’s main costs are capital gains tax for non-residents at 19%, plusvalía tax payable to the local municipality, agent commission (typically 5% + VAT), and legal fees at around 1% + VAT. The exact amount depends on the sale price, purchase price, and length of ownership.

Capital gains tax is calculated on the difference between the sale and purchase price and can be reduced by documented renovation and improvement costs. For non-residents, 3% of the sale price is withheld at completion as an advance payment towards income tax. Plusvalía is a municipal land tax based on the cadastral value and years of ownership. Before setting the sale price, the net proceeds should be calculated — how much you will actually receive after all costs.

Book a free consultation — You’ll know what information is needed to calculate your likely net proceeds correctly before selling.

Correctly priced property often sells within 1–6 months. In popular areas like Marbella, over 50% of properties sell in under 3 months. After the reservation agreement is signed, the transaction process usually takes an additional 4–6 weeks.

The two biggest factors affecting the speed of sale are pricing and preparation. Overpricing is the most common mistake — the property sits on the market for months and eventually sells for less than it would have at the right price from the start. Unprepared documentation is another frequent reason why transactions are delayed or fall through. Professional photography and the right marketing channels (Idealista, Fotocasa, international exposure) also play a key role in how quickly a serious buyer is found.

Book a free consultation — You’ll get a clear selling timeline for your property, with the main steps explained from preparation to completion.

The right price is based on recent actual sales in your area — not on asking prices in portals. On the Costa del Sol, the difference between asking and final sale price is often 5–15%.

A realistic selling strategy starts with understanding the details that affect your property’s market position.

Location, floor level, views, condition, orientation, community fees, parking, documents and direct competition can all influence the price a serious buyer is willing to pay. The likely buyer profile also matters — your property may appeal more to an investor, a holiday home buyer or a family, and each group looks at value differently.

Pricing too high can reduce early buyer interest and cause the property to lose its strongest launch period. Pricing too low can mean leaving money on the table.

Before going to market, it is important to understand your likely price range, what may affect the final selling price and what information is needed to calculate your expected net proceeds after costs and taxes.

Book a free consultation — You’ll understand what information is needed to position your property with a realistic selling price range before going to market.

The three most important factors are: professional photography, prepared documentation, and the property’s visual first impression. Buyers on the Costa del Sol are predominantly international and make their initial selection based on photos and the listing — if the images don’t capture attention and the price is significantly above market level, viewings will not follow.

Before the photo session, it’s worth making small improvements that don’t require major investment — fresh paint, a well-kept garden and terrace, a clean pool, and tidy interiors. A large share of buyers on the Costa del Sol prioritise outdoor space and views — the terrace, balcony, and surroundings must be presented at their best. The kitchen and bathroom are the areas buyers assess most critically — even minor updates can significantly influence the overall impression. Documentation is equally important: if the nota simple, energy certificate, and tax receipts are ready before listing, there will be no delays when a serious buyer appears.

Book a free consultation — we will give you clear, property-specific recommendations on what to improve before selling and what not to.