By Laura Kemp • Updated: 20 Feb 2023 • 18:13
Puerto Banus, Marbella. Image - Pawel Kazmierczak/shutterstock
This guide will explain how to sell your home in Marbella, what you need to do to find out how much your property is worth and how long you can expect your property to be on the market, as well as which documentation you’ll need to make the sale. We also recommend having a knowledgeable estate agent to assist you on your journey and help with all the technical know-how.
Known for its glamour, bars, restaurants and beautiful beaches, Marbella is a firm favourite for British nationals and other foreign expats moving to the warmer climate of the Costa del Sol. The buzzing city and resort area of Marbella has the Sierra Blanca Mountains as its backdrop and 17 miles of stunning sandy beaches including the popular San Pedro de Alcantara, golf courses and villas, making it an extremely popular place for people to move to permanently or to purchase a second home in the sun.
Marbella property has long been one of the most popular investments for property owners in both the UK and Spain with house sales growing year on year. Close to many beautiful towns and villages, plenty of amenities and things to do, lots of upmarket restaurants and bars and the stunning weather and beaches makes Marbella a very attractive investment for Spanish and foreign buyers, meaning the housing market is very active and will give an excellent return for those looking to invest in a second home in the sun. However, like with most things in Spain, it’s really useful to have a professional to guide you through the selling process.
From translating legal documents for you to ensuring that all your legalities are legitimate, to finding those all-important buyers to secure your sale, Strand Properties will make sure of a smooth process from start to finish.
Our recommendation Strand Properties Launched in 2020 by Sirena and her husband Anssi, the couple had already built a highly successful real-estate chain in the Nordics, and aimed to bring their unique approach to new markets in Spain. “We always believed that whichever area we got into, we’d shake up the market,” explains Strand Properties co-founder Sirena Kiviranta. “The property industry seemed like it was operating on outdated principles, and we could see so many ways to improve things for both buyers and sellers.” For Sirena, it begins as soon as the potential buyer enters a property. She maintains that in the first five minutes, the critical impression is made: “We aim to make anyone looking for a new home feel content and comfortable as soon as they walk in. This means showing the property at its advantage, paying attention to the details and perhaps even adding a few stylish finishing touches. But it’s also about the level of help the agent can offer.” Sirena made sure that Strand differentiated themselves from other agencies by offering informative materials and strong photography, enabling sellers to present their property in the best possible light, while giving buyers a glimpse of how their new homes could look and feel. The quality-focused approach is obviously paying off, as today Strand is one of the fastest-growing real-estate agencies in Europe. The company has opened a new office in each year of its existence, and their team now includes 50 dedicated and multilingual professionals. “We know all the best services,” says Sirena, “from cleaners to gardeners, and we can take care of the entire package. We even have our own interior designers, and partner with a number of flooring, furniture and fittings companies to provide our customers with the best possibilities at the best prices.” Strand has established a reputation as a leader in the field when it comes to representing property, and delivering strong credibility and trust to the proceedings. In a crowded marketplace like Majorca and the Costa Del Sol, this is another key point of differentiation. With tens of thousands of properties available, Strand is proud to cater to every budget, and each sale is prioritised with the same respect and dedication. The feeling of committed, knowledgeable service is palpable in every viewing, and throughout every transaction. Strand’s relationships with its buyers and sellers extend beyond the typical conclusion of a successful purchase. Acutely aware of the fact that their buyers will often find themselves entering a new locale in a country where they don’t yet speak the language, the company aims to help integrate new arrivals into the community smoothly and enjoyably. Providing a golden membership card to every client, Strand opens up access to a wealth of different local events, services, and discounts. From exclusive parties in collaboration with some of the best restaurants in Marbella to networking get-togethers between business owners over a round of golf, Strand go out of their way to bring people together. “The property market had been the same for so long,” says Sirena. “It was time for a change, and we are still thinking of more ways to improve the experience for our customers. There is much more to come.” Website: Click here Address: Strand Properties S.L., Av. Playas del Duque, Málaga 1 C Puerto Banús, 29660, Marbella Telephone: +34 676 90 15 19 Email: info@strandproperties.com Facebook: Click here Sponsored
Our recommendation
Launched in 2020 by Sirena and her husband Anssi, the couple had already built a highly successful real-estate chain in the Nordics, and aimed to bring their unique approach to new markets in Spain.
“We always believed that whichever area we got into, we’d shake up the market,” explains Strand Properties co-founder Sirena Kiviranta.
“The property industry seemed like it was operating on outdated principles, and we could see so many ways to improve things for both buyers and sellers.”
For Sirena, it begins as soon as the potential buyer enters a property. She maintains that in the first five minutes, the critical impression is made:
“We aim to make anyone looking for a new home feel content and comfortable as soon as they walk in. This means showing the property at its advantage, paying attention to the details and perhaps even adding a few stylish finishing touches. But it’s also about the level of help the agent can offer.”
Sirena made sure that Strand differentiated themselves from other agencies by offering informative materials and strong photography, enabling sellers to present their property in the best possible light, while giving buyers a glimpse of how their new homes could look and feel.
The quality-focused approach is obviously paying off, as today Strand is one of the fastest-growing real-estate agencies in Europe. The company has opened a new office in each year of its existence, and their team now includes 50 dedicated and multilingual professionals.
“We know all the best services,” says Sirena, “from cleaners to gardeners, and we can take care of the entire package. We even have our own interior designers, and partner with a number of flooring, furniture and fittings companies to provide our customers with the best possibilities at the best prices.”
Strand has established a reputation as a leader in the field when it comes to representing property, and delivering strong credibility and trust to the proceedings. In a crowded marketplace like Majorca and the Costa Del Sol, this is another key point of differentiation.
With tens of thousands of properties available, Strand is proud to cater to every budget, and each sale is prioritised with the same respect and dedication. The feeling of committed, knowledgeable service is palpable in every viewing, and throughout every transaction.
Strand’s relationships with its buyers and sellers extend beyond the typical conclusion of a successful purchase. Acutely aware of the fact that their buyers will often find themselves entering a new locale in a country where they don’t yet speak the language, the company aims to help integrate new arrivals into the community smoothly and enjoyably.
Providing a golden membership card to every client, Strand opens up access to a wealth of different local events, services, and discounts. From exclusive parties in collaboration with some of the best restaurants in Marbella to networking get-togethers between business owners over a round of golf, Strand go out of their way to bring people together.
“The property market had been the same for so long,” says Sirena. “It was time for a change, and we are still thinking of more ways to improve the experience for our customers. There is much more to come.”
Website: Click here
Address: Strand Properties S.L., Av. Playas del Duque, Málaga 1 C Puerto Banús, 29660, Marbella
Telephone: +34 676 90 15 19
Email: info@strandproperties.com
Facebook: Click here
Offering plenty of amenities, access to other amazing locations on the Costa del Sol and the beautiful mountains and beaches, it´s not surprising how many people fall in love with Marbella and decide to buy property here. Not only this, holidays in Marbella are extremely popular making purchasing a second home and renting it out a great return on investment, with British, Swedish and Belgian being the top three foreign nationalities purchasing property here.
Sales in the luxury market are spiking and property prices have increased significantly on the Costa del Sol in general following the pandemic.
Luxury residential areas in Marbella, such as Sierra Blanca, Guadalmina, Nueva Andalucia and Los Monteros have also seen a steady rise in values, while the supply of newly built homes in Marbella East and Estepona provides a greater volume of sales at more limited price increases.
Speak to Strand Properties to get an accurate valuation of your property and move on to the next step of selling your home in Marbella.
Spain’s housing market is thriving and many homes are selling faster than they would in the past. As one of the most prestigious locations in Europe, attracting plenty of wealthy people as well as the rich and famous, Marbella and its adjacent municipalities reached historic sales peaks in the high-end market in 2021 and this trend has continued unabated into 2022, increasing by the month.
The most time-consuming part of the selling process can be the legal paperwork, however, once these are all done and dusted and you’ve signed on the dotted line, you can expect to sell your property within around three to four months of it going on the market, depending on the property and what its sale price is. Do leave room for a bit of negotiation!
Demand in all areas of Marbella has spiked significantly, however, with many areas to consider, the majority of buyers will find a property within their budget and within a location that they desire. With this in mind, here are some of the most popular areas for foreign buyers.
This thriving resort has plenty of things to occupy and satisfy all ages, making it a particularly popular area for families moving to Spain. There has also been a lot of new construction with brand-new homes being built in the area. Property in San Pedro Alcantara is now in high demand for both sales and rentals. The average property price in San Pedro is around €1.4 million and the areas with the lowest prices in San Pedro de Alcántara are San Pedro Pueblo and Guadalmina Alta, with an average price of between €350,000 and €1 million, respectively.
This prestigious area has a lot to offer with regard to high-end shops, boutiques, restaurants, eateries and bars. Puerto Banus is a popular area for couples and retirees and is one of the best-known nautical and tourist destinations in the world. Being one of the most exclusive addresses in Spain, it´s no surprise that you can sell your property here for a large sum. The average property price in Puerto Banus starts from €1 million, with some luxury villas and houses selling for over €16 million.
With a more laid-back vibe than the bustle of Puerto Banus, Nueva Andalucia attracts many British people wishing to retire on the sunny Costa del Sol. Offering nature, tranquility and exclusive gated communities, Nueva Andalucia is also fairly popular to foreign buyers with families due to the abundance of amenities and reputable local schools. The average price for properties in Nueva Andalucia is around €1.3 million, the areas with the lowest prices in Nueva Andalucia are Rodeo Alto-Guadaiza-La Campana and La Dama de Noche-La Alzambra, with an average price of between €350,000 and €1 million, respectively.
Lying to the west of Marbella, the Golden Mile is one of the most luxurious residential areas in Spain. This privileged area is surrounded by lush greenery and the coast, the Golden Mile is home to the most desirable, intimate villas with direct access to the beach whose residents are mainly accomplished politicians and successful businessmen who have owned their homes for generations. The pinnacle of real estate in Marbella, property prices here start from around €2 million.
Popular with single people, professionals and couples wanting to be in the centre of the city and close to the buzzing nightlife and amenities, the average price for properties in Marbella Centro is upwards from €1.7 million. The areas with the lowest prices in Marbella are Marbella Pueblo and Elviria-Cabopino, with an average price of €960,000 and €1.2 million, respectively.
This exclusive and luxurious resort is just a 10-minute drive from Marbella and is home to some of the most stunning properties in Europe. There is private security throughout the whole of La Zagaleta – so no one really knows who lives or owns houses there. It’s a place where the super-rich and famous go to be away from the limelight and it is said that Hugh Grant, Rod Stewart and Vladimir Putin all have properties in La Zagaleta due to its high confidentiality. The average property price here is €6.5 million, with some ready-to-move properties selling for as high as €50 million.
1) Plusvalia – sellers have to pay a tax based on the incremental value of the land which the property occupies over the number of years you have been the owner.
2) Community Fees – Make sure your Community Fees are up to date. Usually, you will have to present a Community Certificate to the buyer when signing the Title Deed to prove this.
3) IBI and Utilities – make sure your utility bills are all paid up as these will need to be settled up to the date of sale. You will need to provide the original proof of payment when signing. Sellers have to pay the IBI or council tax for the whole year they are selling.
4) Mortgage Cancellation Fees – Your bank will probably have from a 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent cancellation charge for the balance of your outstanding mortgage.
5) Mortgage Cancellation and Registration Fees at the Notary – In addition to point 4) as the seller, you will have to make sure that your mortgage is cancelled at the Notary and Registry. This may cost anywhere from €600 to €1000 and is an amount that will probably be held by the solicitor to make sure that this is done.
6) Non-Resident Retention 3 per cent – If you are not a resident of Spain, the buyer of your property will also have to retain 3 per cent of the sales price stated in the “Escritura” (Title Deed) to pay to the Spanish taxman (Hacienda) on your behalf towards your Capital Gains Tax. Fiscal residents do not have any retention made on them, however, they may have to pay tax on the sale the year after when filling in their tax returns.
7) Agents Commission – If you have used an agent to sell your property, you will also have to pay fees to the agent.
8) Legal fees – A good legal office will prepare utility contracts, community charges and “Suma” invoices, speak with the purchaser’s representatives and the Notary, book the Notary appointment and organise all of the related paperwork, go with the seller to the Notary and translate for them, calculate the 3 per cent retention, calculate and advice re Capital Gains Tax and give fiscal representation throughout the selling process.
There are lots of documents you need when selling your home in Marbella. The best and safest way to make sure that everything is legitimate and done properly is to leave it to the experts in the form of an experienced real estate agent who can help and offer guidance throughout the whole process.
The main documents you need may include:
Remember, what attracts many potential buyers to a home in the Costa del Sol is having somewhere to relax and enjoy the gorgeous weather and relaxing Spanish lifestyle. It’s important to make your property stand out on the internet so that people can imagine themselves living their ideal lifestyle, complete with a beautiful home.
We have all been to property viewings where as soon as we stepped foot through the door we could imagine ourselves in that space because of how it’s presented to us – the same goes for those properties that don’t really do it for us when we go to see it in person! We have some top tips for you to prepare your home for those all-important photo listings and property viewings.
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Originally from UK, Laura is based in Axarquia and is a writer for the Euro Weekly News covering news and features. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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