Selling a home in Spain

The transfer of the ownership rights to a Spanish property is handled by a Spanish Notary. The selling process in Spain can be more complex and take longer than in your home country. This is how it’s done – up to the point of your final meeting with the notary.

GATHERING INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY
As a vendor, you are required to get an energy performance certificate for your property which is then submitted to the purchaser at the time of sale. Bjurfors Spain can recommend suitable providers of energy performance certificates.

LEGAL
The vendor must be able to provide all documentation relating to the property, including certificate of ownership, occupancy license, information about property taxes, community and any other fees.

MARKET VALUE
The property must be valued. Most owners slightly overestimate the value of their properties. We will assist with reference prices from similarly sold homes. Bjurfors has access to databases and can quickly compile reference prices in most areas.

THE SELLING PROCESS

CHOOSING AN AGENT
Your choice should be based on the estate agent’s ability to find prospective buyers, expertise and commitment to putting the interests of their clients first. It’s a good idea to interview a number of estate agents before you make your decision. Ask about their agency skills, how they market properties, the language areas in which their properties are marketed and the websites they use. At Bjurfors Spain, we always suggest a full marketing plan when we undertake a sale. You’ll find that this isn’t very common on the Spanish property market.

CHOOSING A CONTRACT
A property can be marketed on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis, i.e. you can instruct a single estate agent or several different ones. If you choose an exclusive contract, which is the general trend, you should make sure your agent is a member of the MLS organization Resales Online. Membership means that your agent can have your property featured in the MLS joint agency database, significantly increasing the number of potential purchasers. If you choose a non-exclusive contract, the agents you select should of course complement one another; i.e. work with different types of purchasers.

MONITORING THE AGENT’S ACTIVITIES
Be sure to monitor your agent’s marketing activities. Agents have hundreds of different jobs on the go, and you have to make sure you are at the top of their list of priorities. At Bjurfors Spain we put the emphasis firmly on our customers and will keep you informed and updated throughout the process.

NEGOTIATION
Purchasers and vendors naturally have opposing interests. Negotiation will be handled by your agent, but close communication between vendor and agent can help bring about creative solutions to many problems. Bjurfors Marbella will help you and your purchaser bring matters to a conclusion.