Services

At any given time, well over ten-thousand properties are available for sale on the Costa del Sol, stretching east and west of Marbella. Finding the mansion, villa, townhouse or apartment that suits your needs, wants and expectations – and does so at the right price – becomes a daunting challenge. Needles in haystacks come to mind.

Luckily, the Spanish real estate market is well-organised and fairly easy to navigate. Most realtors have access to nearly all listed properties through online systems designed to foster cooperation. As a result of this, prospective buyers are free to select a real estate agency not just for the depth of its property portfolio, but for the quality and extend of the services offered.

At Housing Marbella we know from experience that an unrelenting dedication to service is the only way to survive and prosper in this most competitive of markets, and service is what we excel in.

The Buying Process

While we never grow tired showing off the beauty of Marbella and its unique lifestyle, we value your time and are loath to waste it. As you begin the search for your home on the Costa del Sol, we’ll be asking plenty of questions. Our curiosity is born out of a professional courtesy for your answers, which allow us to pre-select only those properties that closely fit your requirements. This way, you will not have to endure countless viewings of houses or apartments not matching your taste and preferences.

Our professionals will accompany you throughout your search. At Housing Marbella we table over 30 years’ worth of accumulated experience on the Costa del Sol and know this market inside out. We will expertly steer you away from pitfalls and possibly over-priced properties. We know how to obtain the best deals on the market while our expert lawyers will make sure that your peace of mind is never disturbed.

Once we’ve helped you find the perfect property, the real fun begins. Our after-sales service is second to none and the envy of many. No matter which type of property you acquire, we will take care of all the practicalities and legalities that homeowners usually face.

The costs associated with the acquisition of a property in Spain may be split up in one-off taxes and fees due at the signing of the conveyance and recurring payments.

Once-Only Payments when Buying a Property

• Lawyers charge a fee equal to 1% of the purchase price for their title search and due diligence report.
• Notary & registration fees are between 0.5% and 1% of the purchase price and are regulated by law.

Transaction value Tax rate

• On resale properties a transfer tax (ITP – Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales)

  is applied of 7%.

• On new buildings a VAT (Value Added Tax) rate is applied of 10%.

• Stamp duty – A stamp duty of 1.2% is owed at the signing of the conveyance and is only applied to new buildings.

Recurring Taxes and Fees

• IBI (Property tax) – Municipalities charge an annual property tax (IBI – Impuesto Bienes Imuebles). The rate varies from one town to the next and fluctuates between 0.4 and 1.1% of the cadastral value. Vendors will provide prospective buyers with their last IBI statement which shows the exact taxation rate as well as the property’s cadastral value.
• Basura (Waste collection tax) – Varies across municipalities. This tax is assessed on a property’s cadastral value.
• Community fees – Properties that are part of an estate (urbanización) are assessed an annual fee to cover the upkeep of shared facilities. The height of these fees is determined by the Owners’ Association and depends on the level of services provided.
• Non-resident income tax – Spanish tax authorities assess non-resident homeowners with a deemed annual income equal to 1,1% or 2% of the cadastral value of their property. Over this amount, an income tax of 19% for EU citizens or 24.75% is charged. Rental income is taxed at the same rate, though during the rental period you are not liable for the assessment of the 2% deemed income.
• Wealth tax – NOT IN EFFECT AT THIS MOMENT/NOT IN FORCE AT THIS MOMENT – (An exceptional and temporary tax is being levied on properties at a rate varying between 0.2% and 2.5% of the net asset value. Both residents and non-residents alike are exempted from paying wealth tax over the first €700,000 of their property’s net value).

By entrusting your villa, townhouse, apartment or building plot for sale to us, you engage a team of dedicated professionals who will do their utmost to swiftly find a buyer for your prized possession. We aim to take both the stress and headaches out of an otherwise possibly daunting process. No matter the prevailing market conditions, we are able to look far and wide to find the perfect match for your home.

Our rather unique multi-channel marketing approach ensures that your property is brought to the attention of discerning buyers in a plethora of creative ways. We do not merely sit around waiting for a buyer to magically appear. Instead, we go the extra mile or two looking for buyers by leveraging the latest Internet technologies and marketing techniques. Selling is an art rather than a science; and indeed, we are quite artful.

Increasing the Sales Potential

We want your house to sell as swiftly as you do. We also do not wish to waste your time with pointless viewings. We thoroughly vet each and every prospective buyer to ensure that all viewings we arrange carry real potential for a sale. Throughout the selling process, at Housing Marbella we will keep you updated regularly: We will tell you what we are doing and how market conditions are evolving and we will also stand ready to dispense any and all assistance or guidance you may need.

Enhanced Appeal

Housing Marbella will also suggest simple, yet effective ways for you to enhance your property’s appeal to buyers. We will show you how to help us market your home. The devil is in the details and getting those details right equals a job already half done.

We are exceedingly well informed about the buyers’ psyche and how buying decisions are made. For most people, acquiring a house is the biggest financial commitment they will ever make. This is not usually done on a whim. It is therefore essential to inform prospective buyers on any and all details of your property. Honesty is key: We don´t sell lemons: We sell the Costa del Sol lifestyle and strongly belief that for every home there is a buyer. It is our job to find that buyer who will instantly fall in love with your house. Our matchmaking skills are second to none.

Some Pitfalls to Avoid

• Please do not try to list your property for a net price or – even worse – offer your home to different realtors at different price points. This causes no end of confusion on the buyer’s part and may spook them. A buyer spooked is a sale lost. Sadly, there are no exceptions to this rule. Once you’ve decided to market your home with a professional estate agent (smart move!), set a sensible price that includes the agent’s commission and determine your negotiating range.
• Think outside the box. Do you really want the hassle of having hordes of estate agents running through your house? More is not necessarily better. While in some cases it may be wise to list your property at more than one realtor, granting exclusivity to a single real estate agent may be the ticket if you really want to sell fast. Exclusivity makes your property stand out from the crowd and ensures you the full and undivided attention of your exclusive realty professional.
• Networking is the only way to go. Buyers of Marbella and Costa del Sol properties come from far and wide. They also speak a bewildering number of languages and adhere to customs and traditions unique to their culture. We are  professionals who have travelled the world, speak their languages and have, over our lifetimes, developed an understanding of different cultures. We also are plugged into a wide range of global marketing networks that offer our company access to buyers otherwise not reached.
• Be available. Buyers are often pressed for time. They may only be spending a few days on the Costa del Sol and will want to see as much of it as possible. Not all viewings can be arranged weeks or even days in advance. At times, we may need to move really fast. If you are not always available or have your main residence elsewhere, please work with us to facilitate viewing at (exceedingly) short notice. We’ll be happy to be your key holder and indeed prepare your property to ensure an optimal viewing experience.
• Relax. Let us deal with the intricacies of the selling process. We’ll get the job done.

Housing Marbella offers an extensive range of quality rental properties to discerning short-term or long-term renters. Our prime rental properties are found all along the Costa del Sol. We are happy to welcome long-term renters for both furnished and unfurnished villas, townhouses, penthouses and apartments.

Short-Term Rentals

Visitors looking for a taste of the Marbella lifestyle outside the confines of a hotel suite may opt to rent one of our luxurious and fully-appointed properties. Available by the week, most of these villas and apartments are located close to local hot-spots such as trendy beaches, famed golf courses and fine boutiques.

Our short-term rental properties are kept in immaculate condition and are equipped to enable a stay devoid of stress and domestic chores. You just sit back and relax: We take care of all your worries.

As a full-service realtor, we take particular pride in offering the best service to all our clients, whatever their budget. Our portfolio contains short-term rental properties over a wide price range. Please feel free to contact us in order to book a stay in Marbella.

Long-Term Rentals

Feel like hanging around on the Costa del Sol; considering a permanent move or just gauging local opportunities? We may very well have the villa or apartment of your dreams available for rent right now. Why wait? Demand for prime rental properties is on the increase now that the Costa del Sol is yet again primed for economic take-off.

We have long-term rentals available in most Marbella districts and in adjoining municipalities as well. Beach side, mountain, golf or downtown: take your pick. We offer both fully furnished and unfurnished rentals. Drop us a line and let us help you settle in style and comfort.

Owners

Your second home on the Costa del Sol does not need to be a drain on your finances. Why not consider entrusting us with your villa or apartment so we can turn it into profitable proposition? Even if you’re not quite ready to forego the priceless pleasure of spending quality time on the Costa, we can help you defray costs by arranging for short-term rentals. By renting out your property by the week, you can rest assured that your second home is available whenever you fancy a trip south. It’s truly the best of both worlds and Housing Marbella stands at the ready to make it happen.

Going away for a longer while? We’re sorry to see you go but can help ease the pain by arranging for a long-term rental of your prized home. We vet our clients carefully, thoroughly and keep a sharp eye on your possessions throughout the rental period. What’s more, we will take care of all the paperwork involved. We can even help sorting out taxes owed and take care of any other official business while you are away. We believe in a hands-on approach when managing rentals, rather than wait for any issues to occur, we take pro-active measures ensuring your home is well taken care of and you may have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your property is in safe hands.

Whether buying, selling or renting out a property on the Costa del Sol – or indeed anywhere else – legal advice dispensed by a proper lawyer specialized in real estate law is more than just an option – it is a necessity essential not just to safeguarding both your rights and money but ensuring you are aware of possible pitfalls and obligations as well.

Owning a home in another country need not at all involve risks and unknowns. Housing Marbella can help you get answer to any and all of your questions regarding the legal and fiscal aspects of your Costa del Sol property. We work with one of Marbella’s top lawyers in real estate law who is both ready and able to clarify any lingering doubts and point out any issues that might arise down the road leading to property ownership.

After finding your perfect home and even before having decided on a purchase, we will suggest you meet one of our lawyers in order to receive a brief explanation on Spanish property law and how it may pertain to the property you have set your sights on. This is a courtesy meeting, and as such free-of-charge: Feel free to ask our lawyers anything you want since you’re not on the clock! We consider it of the utmost importance that our clients receive all the legal information they might possibly need before signing a commitment to buy.

It is also essential to have an experienced lawyer do a thorough title search in order to determine the legal status of the property you are about to acquire. This is but a single element of the much more comprehensive due diligence process conducted, and concluded, before you and the vendor show up at the public notary’s office for the signing of the conveyance.

Our lawyers are also able to offer you an in-depth explanation of all the costs associated with buying or selling property in Spain and the regular taxes and fees you are expected to pay as a homeowner. Our legal counsellors hate nasty surprises as much as you do and will make double-sure there are none.

Now that you have the keys to your second home, why not add some style and creature comforts to it? At Housing Marbella we can help here too. Off-the-shelf or bespoke, and always attuned to your personal preference and taste, our expert interior designers can transform your house into a true home.

We maintain close contact with a number of premier Marbella purveyors of quality furnishings. We have the numbers of the most renowned interior designers on the Costa del Sol as well: Professionals who master their trade to perfection and will add a touch of class to any home. We are happy to help you to pick the one best suited to both your taste and budget.

There is absolutely no need for you to walk and drive all over creation in order to fit out your villa, townhouse or apartment, surmounting possible language barriers and dealing with pushy salespeople in the process. Let us do the legwork for you and before you know it, you have a dream home-away-from-home.

We bring you the expertise and energy required to settle down in Marbella or anywhere along the Costa del Sol. Our company takes particular pride in offering its clients not merely turnkey solutions, but easy access to a worry-free lifestyle. Whatever your budget, allow us to aim for your total satisfaction.

At Housing Marbella our job does not end when you sign on the dotted line. In fact, this is the moment when we can show our true worth. Our aim is simple: To ensure you can enjoy your new property at all times free of stress and the concerns generally associated with (second) home ownership.

We have both the local experience and the required expertise to tackle any and all issues affecting your property. We not only take the sting out of second home ownership, but aim to transform your home on the Costa del Sol into a source of pleasure and relaxation.

We don’t just hold your key, but we put it to work and not just by airing your property moments before your scheduled arrival. We ensure that your bills are paid on time, public and other services work as advertised and maintenance workers do their job properly. In fact, we take pride in keeping your second home in top condition. Our turn-key style of work ensures your peace of mind and guarantees optimal enjoyment of your precious time on the Costa del Sol.

We maintain a roster of seasoned professionals and tradespeople who we have grown to trust and respect for the quality of their work and their dedication to a job well done. We inspect all the done work and apply for the highest standards of quality. We regularly check the properties entrusted to us, not just to air the ambience but to verify that all is in order. We also stay in regular touch with neighborhood watches who are instructed to promptly alert us whenever something out of the ordinary has happened.

Our after-sales service is available 24/7 and provides you with a periodic e-mail report on the status of your property.

“Your wish is our command. Your peace of mind is our goal.”