Selling Guide

Selling your property in Marbella can be a rewarding process, especially in this vibrant Costa del Sol hotspot where demand for luxury homes remains strong in 2025. This step-by-step guide outlines everything you need to know to achieve the best possible outcome, from initial preparations to final handover.

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Assess Your Property's Value

Start by determining a realistic market value for your Marbella property, considering factors like location, size, condition, and current trends such as the average price per square meter in the area. Engage a professional real estate agent familiar with Marbella's neighborhoods, like the Golden Mile or Nueva Andalucía, to conduct a valuation that accounts for recent sales of comparable properties. This step helps avoid overpricing, which can prolong the sale, as well over 36% of Marbella properties take three months to a year to sell.

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Your agent will analyze local data, including rising demand post-2020, to set a competitive asking price that attracts serious buyers quickly. If renovations are needed, weigh the costs against potential value uplift—simple updates like fresh paint or modernized kitchens/ bathrooms often yield high returns in Marbella's luxury market.

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Gather Essential Documentation

Compile all necessary paperwork early to streamline the process and build buyer confidence. Key documents include your title deeds (Escritura de Propiedad), the latest property tax receipt (IBI), and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which must be valid and costs €60–€130 to obtain or renew. For Marbella properties, also prepare proof of up-to-date community fees if applicable, and any mortgage statements if you're paying off a loan.

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Hire a local lawyer to review these for issues like liens or outstanding taxes, ensuring everything is in order before marketing begins. In Andalusia, including Marbella, additional checks for habitability certificates may be required if the property hasn't been updated recently, adding €60–€160 to your preparation costs.

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Choose Your Real Estate Dream Team

Partner with a reputable estate agency like ours in Marbella to handle marketing, viewings, and negotiations effectively. Select an agent with strong local knowledge of Marbella's diverse market, from beachfront villas to inland fincas, to target international buyers seeking residence opportunities. Appoint an independent Spanish lawyer to manage legal aspects, costing around 1–2% of the sale price, and consider a tax advisor for cross-border implications if you're a non-resident.

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Your team will guide you on exclusive or multi-agency listings— in Marbella's competitive scene, a sole agency agreement often yields faster results without overlapping commissions. This collaborative approach minimizes stress and maximizes exposure through property portals and international networks.

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Market Your Property Effectively

Develop a tailored marketing strategy to showcase your Marbella home's unique appeal, such as sea views or proximity to the Golden Mile/ Puerto Banús. Professional photography, virtual tours, and detailed descriptions highlighting lifestyle benefits—like easy access to Marbella's golf courses or beaches—can draw global interest. List on major platforms and use social media to reach high-net-worth buyers, emphasizing Marbella's status as a safe investment hub.

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In 2025, digital marketing is key; expect your agent to create glossy brochures and host private viewings, potentially including drone footage of the property's surroundings for that wow factor. Track progress regularly, adjusting the price if needed after 40-60 days to keep momentum in a market where 25% of properties sell within just a few months when priced right.

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Handle Viewings and Offers

Schedule viewings flexibly, preparing your home to impress with decluttered spaces and minor staging to evoke Marbella's luxurious lifestyle. Your agent will manage inquiries, qualify buyers, and accompany viewings, especially useful for non-residents coordinating remotely. When offers arrive, evaluate them holistically—not just price, but terms like completion timeline and contingencies.

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Negotiate confidently with your agent's support; in Marbella's heated market, multiple offers are common, so aim for a balance that secures your desired outcome without alienating buyers.

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Sign Contracts and Secure the Deposit

Upon offer acceptance, sign a reservation contract to take your property off the market, typically with a 1% reservation fee that becomes part of the purchase price if the sale proceeds. Due Diligence & Legal Checks are then performed by the buyer’s lawyer on your property. Follow this with the Arras or private purchase contract, where the buyer pays a 10% deposit, locking in the deal and allowing further due diligence.

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Your lawyer will oversee all of these legal stages, ensuring the contract includes penalties for withdrawal—buyers lose the deposit, while sellers may forfeit double if they back out. For non-residents, note the 3% withholding on the purchase price, paid by the buyer to the tax authorities as an advance on your capital gains.

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Complete Due Diligence and Final Checks

During the 7–15 day reservation period, the buyer's lawyer conducts thorough checks on your property's legal status, debts, and compliance. Address any issues promptly, such as clearing minor liens or updating certificates, to avoid delays in Marbella's fast-paced market. If a mortgage exists, arrange cancellation with your bank, factoring in fees that could add to your costs.

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This phase builds trust; in Andalusia, extra attention to urban planning compliance ensures no surprises, as local regulations in areas like the Golden Mile are strict.

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Finalize at the Notary

Meet at the notary's office to sign the public deed (Escritura Pública), transferring ownership officially upon full payment. The notary verifies all documents, receives funds from the buyer (including mortgage discharge if needed), and provides you with net proceeds via bank transfer. In Marbella, this step typically takes 1–2 hours, with copies of the deed issued immediately.

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Register the sale at the Land Registry afterward for full legal protection, a process your lawyer handles to confirm the transfer against third parties. Celebrate this milestone—your property is now in new hands!

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Understand Costs and Taxes

Budget for selling expenses, which can total 5–15% of the sale price depending on your situation. Agent commissions range from 5–6% plus VAT, while legal fees are 1–1.5%. Additional outlays include the EPC, notary fees (split with buyer), and potential mortgage cancellation charges.

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On taxes, residents pay progressive capital gains tax (19–27% on profits after deductions for improvements and fees), while non-residents face 19–24% flat rates. The municipal Plusvalía tax applies to land value increases, calculated objectively or on actual gain, varying by Marbella's local coefficients. Non-residents benefit from the 3% withholding covering part or all of CGT, with any refund claimed via tax return. Consult your tax advisor early to minimize liabilities, especially for reinvestment exemptions available to residents.

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Marbella-Specific Tips for Success

Leverage Marbella's appeal to international investor buyers by highlighting Marbella’s year-round popularity as a golf & tourist destination and being able to rent out the property for holiday rentals. Time your sale for peak seasons (Spring / pre-Summer) when viewings surge, and consider eco-upgrades to align with Andalusia's growing sustainability focus. Stay informed on local market shifts, like rising prices in prime locations, to price competitively and close deals swiftly.

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In summary, with expert guidance, selling in Marbella can be straightforward and profitable—contact our agency today to get started on your journey.

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