Marbella Property For Sale

Location and history of Marbella

Marbella is situated on the coast between Malaga and Gibraltar. Flights direct to Malaga are available from UK airports through many low cost airlines.

Its position is ideal for inland forays to visit the famous town of Ronda and the mountains, and also other sun-drenched points along the Costa del Sol such as Estepona, Calahonda and Mijas. Marbella's rich diversity of archaeological sites is testament to its long history of human habitation which stretches back to the Paleolithic age. Many civilisations have encompassed the municipality within their influence and each has left its mark in the buildings and placenames in use in the surrounding countryside. These include Roman villas and baths, and the city walls built by its Muslim inhabitants in the Middle Ages.

Marbella boasts 27 kilometres of coastline, much of it highlighted by the golden sands of the many beautiful beaches such as Puerto Banus and Fontanilla and the naturist-friendly, dune-fed Artola beach.

Property in and around Marbella

The Old Town of Marbella offers the traditional whitewashed townhouses lining sunlit streets overlooked by the town's several beautiful churches. Elsewhere, an eclectic mix of new and resale houses, apartments, villas, penthouses and townhouses provides the diversity to ensure that your dream home in the sun is almost certainly here.

The Marbella property market

In the past few years there has been extraordinary growth in the Marbella property market, both with Spanish nationals and foreigners buying holiday homes and permanent residences. With a 12-month occupancy season and with many areas becoming fully-developed and zoned land running out, resale values are maintaining their momentum.

Guide to the Spanish Buying Process

1. Putting down a Holding Deposit
On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner. This part of the process is not binding. We would recommend using an independent English speaking legal advisor. Once a purchase price has been agreed, normally a holding or reserve deposit will be required to ensure the property is removed from the market. The sum required will vary between properties and will be based on the purchase price. A time limit for the preagreement to be signed will be arranged and there will also be legal checks to be made.

2. Setting up a Pre-agreement (Contrato privado de compraventa)
The pre-agreement will set out the conditions under which the Buyer and Seller agree to complete the purchase of the property and the price they have agreed upon. Relevant details will generally be included for example the property details, purchase price and the date for completion. A deposit will be required at this point, this will vary, but will generally be 10% of the agreed price. This agreement will include a penal clause if the sale does not go through. If the seller pulls out of the sale your compensation will be double the deposit you have paid, but if you decide not to go through with the sale then your deposit will be lost. Certain checks will need to be made before signing the contract, checks should be made against the title of the property, mortgage status and if the property has any debts held against it. The planning status should also be looked into. These conditions can be varied by the seller and the buyer and other types of agreement can be made.

3. The Contract (Escritura de compraventa)
Before a non-Spanish purchaser can buy a Spanish property they will need to have set up a Spanish bank account and obtained a Spanish tax number (NIE). The completion will take place in the presence of a Notary Public. This is a Spanish public official, by law the deed of sale must be witnessed by a Notary Public. You will also need your own independent, expert legal advisor to act on your behalf. On Completion the buyer must pay the balance, that is the price agreed after the deposit has been deducted, plus any other fees on the completion date. Both buyer and seller must sign the Escritura de compraventa contract, (this is the Spanish equivalent of the title deeds). The title deeds (escritura) will be given to the buyer, this will be done in the presence of a Notary Public, they will certify that the transfer has taken place. The tax office will be sent a copy and the property registry will be informed of the transfer.

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IMPORTANT - Disclaimer :
All information provided is believed to be current and provided free of charge. No liability can be accepted for the reliability of the information and statements made as this is obtained from 3rd parties. We always recommend you take legal advice from a fully qualified Lawyer or Notary before buying a property overseas.