Buying Guide

Marbella, with its sun-drenched beaches, luxurious lifestyle, and vibrant international community, is a top destination for property buyers seeking both a dream home and a smart investment. This step-by-step guide, tailored for your journey through the Costa del Sol's premier real estate market, outlines the process clearly to help you navigate it with confidence in 2025.

‍

Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, partnering with a trusted local estate agency like ours in Marbella ensures personalized support from start to finish. The process typically takes 4-10 weeks, depending on financing and legal checks.

‍

Preparation Before the Search

Start by assessing your finances to determine a realistic budget, factoring in the purchase price plus 10-15% for taxes, fees, and legal costs. Use online calculators or consult a financial advisor to include mortgage options, where non-residents can secure up to 60-70% loan-to-value (LTV) with 30-40% down payment. If you're a foreigner, obtain your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), the essential ID number for any transaction—apply at a Spanish police station or consulate abroad, often within a day or two.

‍

Hire an independent lawyer specializing in Spanish real estate to review documents and protect your interests, costing around 1% of the property value. Engage a reputable estate agent early; they provide market insights, access off-market listings, and neighborhood expertise in hotspots like the Golden Mile or Puerto Banús. Research current trends: Marbella's market is booming with 5-8% price growth in prime areas, driven by international demand and limited supply, making 2025 an ideal time despite record highs over €5,200/m².

‍

Finding and Viewing Properties

Define your needs—villa for privacy, apartment for low maintenance, or townhouse for family living—based on Marbella's diverse areas: the exclusive Golden Mile for beachfront luxury, Nueva Andalucía for golf enthusiasts, or San Pedro for affordable charm. Browse listings on agency websites or portals, but rely on your agent for virtual tours and tailored recommendations to avoid pitfalls like hidden community fees, areas to avoid, legal status of urbanisations and other property-specific legal issues, areas prone to flooding, communities allowing tourist rentals, and much more.

‍

Schedule in-person viewings to inspect condition, views, and amenities; visit during different times to gauge road noise and sunlight exposure. Shortlist 3-5 options that fit your lifestyle, considering ongoing costs like IBI property tax and community fees. In 2025, expect competitive bidding in high-demand zones, where properties sell quickly due to a 9-18% drop in available stock.

‍

Making an Offer and Reserving

Once you've found the perfect property, your agent negotiates the offer based on comparables and market data—prices have risen 13.7% year-on-year, so flexibility helps. If accepted, sign a reservation contract (Contrato de Reserva) and pay a deposit (usually between €6,000-€10,000 or up to 1% of the agreed purchase price) to take it off the market for 4-6 weeks while due diligence proceeds.

‍

This step secures your choice without commitment, allowing time for surveys if needed, especially for older builds. Communicate openly with your agent to adjust terms, ensuring the reservation includes a clause for refund if issues arise. Foreign buyers appreciate this buffer, as it aligns with travel logistics for international clients.

‍

Conducting Due Diligence

Your lawyer performs thorough checks on the property's title, debts, planning permissions, and utilities via the Land Registry and local council. Verify no outstanding mortgages, community fee arrears, or illegal extensions—common in Marbella's older properties. For coastal areas like Costa del Sol, confirm no environmental restrictions under 2025 regulations.

‍

If issues surface due to unsatisfactory due diligence on the vendor's side, renegotiate or withdraw with your deposit returned. This phase, lasting 2-4 weeks, is crucial for foreigners to ensure compliance with Spanish law, where non-EU buyers face no extra hurdles beyond standard requirements. Budget for a basic survey if buying resale, adding to the 2-3% total fees.

‍

Signing Contracts and Arranging Finance

With clean due diligence, sign the private purchase contract (Contrato Privado de Compraventa), paying 10% of the price as a deposit—the seller must now proceed or compensate you. Secure financing if needed; Spanish banks offer competitive rates for qualified buyers, but pre-approve early to strengthen your position.

‍

Open a Spanish bank account for seamless transfers, providing proof of funds and NIE. For non-residents, declare the money's source to comply with anti-money laundering rules. This contract outlines completion date, usually 30-60 days, giving time for final preparations.

‍

Notary Signing and Completion

Attend the notary public to sign the public deed (Escritura Pública), transferring ownership officially—bring your NIE, passport, and funds. Pay the remaining balance via bank transfer, receive the keys, and the notary registers the deed, costing 0.5-1% of the value.

‍

Settle taxes at this stage: resale properties incur 7% Property Transfer Tax (ITP) in Andalusia, while new builds add 10% VAT and 1.5% Stamp Duty. The whole process finalizes your ownership, with the notary providing copies for your records.

‍

Post-Purchase Steps and Ongoing Ownership

Register the property in your name at the Land Registry within 30 days, handled by your lawyer for a small fee. As a non-resident owner, file annual imputed income tax (even on unused properties).

‍

Arrange utilities, insurance, and property management if absent. Monitor market ROI—Marbella offers strong returns from rising values and rental yields in tourist areas. Stay updated on 2025 trends like sustainable builds, ensuring long-term value.

‍

Welcome to your new luxury life. We keep helping after the sale, with our aftercare team ready to make your move to Marbella easy and smooth.

‍

Tips for Foreign Buyers

No restrictions apply to EU or non-EU buyers in Marbella, but act swiftly in a seller's market with 12% investment growth. Use bilingual professionals to bridge language gaps, and visit in off-season to see the real lifestyle. For investments, target areas like Puerto Banús for 5-10% annual appreciation. Contact our agency now or expert guidance and exclusive private viewings to turn your vision into reality.

‍

‍

‍

*This information should be seen as a guide, for all things legal we always recommend to get assistance from a local lawyer.