Sell your property fast

Top tips – how to speed up the process of selling your Spanish property

In countries such as the UK, the process of selling your property will typically take a couple of months, and sometimes it’ll happen even quicker.

In Spain, the process can take much longer, averaging nine to ten months. But if you properly prepare and follow a few key pieces of advice, then it is possible to sell in as little as four to six weeks.

Below are our five top tips to help you sell your Spanish property as quickly as possible!

Tip #1 – Pimp my property

Of course, a well-presented property will always sell much faster than a poorly maintained one, but it’s also about appealing to as many potential buyers as possible.

By making sure your home is bright and welcoming to everyone, you’ll drastically increase your chances of a quick sale.

remove any personal photos & items

For example, take a good look at the entrance to your home. Make sure your front door is well-lit and inviting, as you won’t get a second chance to make this first impression.

Tidy away clutter and replace any personal photos and items with ornaments and artwork instead. Choose simple designs that will appeal to most people.

Keep your rooms welcoming and ready to go: tables set, cushions plumped, and bathroom surfaces clear apart from soaps and clean towels.

If a potential buyer feels at home straight away, they’re far more likely to proceed.

Tip #2 – Is it legal?

A recent survey showed that for most properties sold in Spain, the buyer had tried to buy at least one other property first, before coming up against issues in the purchase process.

This is a waste of everyone’s time, and you can help to speed the process along by ensuring you’re up-to-speed with any potential legal hold-ups you might encounter, and being transparent throughout the process.

ask about our legal services – we have packages for both selling and buying

Tip #3 – Think About Your Advertising

Your buyer is out there, and you should ensure they can find your property quickly and easily.

Think carefully about your property’s selling points, and who your buyer is likely to be. Will they be local or coming from overseas? Buying to live in it or as a holiday home?

You have a host of advertising options to choose from, from social media to online property portals to local print media, and all of these can target a different type of buyer.

Finally, it pays to create the perfect profile for your property (professional photos and a thoughtfully written description are all-important!) and then ensure your property reaches as many potential buyers as you can.

Tip #4 – Realistic pricing

There are all sorts of reasons sellers price their property high, but in practise it’s a surefire way to lose that quick sale.

Whatever the property programmes suggest, the market in Spain is not back to its pre-crash levels, and your price should reflect this. Furthermore, some agents try and secure listings with the promise of a high sale price, but in reality this will only slow down your sale.

Neither should you be tempted to price high with an option of negotiating with buyers. In fact, you’ll simply dissuade potential buyers before they even arrange a viewing.

Tip #5 – Choose the right agent

There are a few things to realise about real estate agents in Spain.

First, you don’t have to list your property with just one. You can have as many agents as you like, though it’s advisable not to go overboard!

You may want to start off with one agent, in which case it’s a smart move to give them a deadline. This way you ensure your property is a priority for them during this period.

And if you do use several agents, make sure your property is listed at the same price with all of them, to give the property the best chance of selling quickly.

Finally, be prepared for the fact that different agents may charge different commission fees. Usually these vary between 3 – 6% of the sale value, but you should then be able to deduct their fee from your capital gains tax.