Seller's Guide
Step-by-step process for selling a property in Inland Almeria.
How to sell a property in Inland Almeria
The process of selling a property in Spain usually includes the following stages:
- Property valuation
- Review of legal documentation
- Preparation and marketing of the property
- Viewings with interested buyers
- Negotiation of an offer
- Signing of a reservation agreement
- Signing of the deposit contract (contrato de arras)
- Signing of the public deed before a notary
- Payment of taxes and change of ownership
Below we explain each of these stages to help property owners understand how the process of selling a property in Inland Almeria works.
Guide index
- 1. Property market in Inland Almeria
- 2. Property valuation
- 3. Property documentation
- 4. Marketing strategy and property preparation
- 5. Viewings with potential buyers
- 6. Purchase offer and reservation
- 7. Deposit contract (arras)
- 8. Deed of sale
- 9. Work of the estate agent and cost of the service
- 10. Tax planning when selling
- 11. Frequently asked questions
- 12. Thinking of selling your property?
1. Property market in Inland Almeria
The property market in the interior of the province of Almeria has its own characteristics.
A large proportion of buyers come from the international market, particularly from countries such as:
- United Kingdom
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Germany
- France
Many buyers are looking for villas, country houses or rural properties in areas such as:
- Albox
- Arboleas
- Cantoria
- Albanchez
- Almanzora Valley
For this reason, it is particularly important to work with an estate agency that has experience dealing with international buyers.
2. Property valuation
Property valuation is one of the most important aspects of the selling process.
Setting the correct price from the beginning is essential in order to:
- Attract qualified buyers
- Generate more viewings
- Encourage offers
- Avoid the property remaining on the market for too long
Working with Clover Estates, an estate agency with experience valuing properties for the international market, helps ensure that the price is realistic and competitive.
Once the valuation has been completed, the owner and the estate agent agree on a guide price based on the analysis of the current market and comparable properties in the area.
At this stage, Clover Estates prepares a sales instruction agreement, also known as an estate agency brokerage contract.
This document is signed by both parties and sets out the conditions under which the estate agent will market the property.
The instruction agreement normally includes:
- The details of the owner and the property
- The agreed asking price
- Marketing conditions
- The duration of the agreement
- The estate agent's commission in the event of a sale
Signing this document formally begins the marketing process for the property.
Common mistakes when selling a property
- Setting the price too high compared with the market
- Having incomplete documentation
- Not preparing the property properly for viewings
- Not properly qualifying potential buyers
Avoiding these mistakes helps achieve a faster and more secure sale.
3. Property documentation
Documentation is one of the key aspects of avoiding delays or problems during the sale.
Typical documents include:
- Title deed registered at the Land Registry
- An up-to-date nota simple from the Land Registry to confirm charges or mortgages
- Latest IBI receipt (local property tax)
- Energy performance certificate (EPC), which is mandatory when selling a property
- Utility bills such as water, electricity or gas
- Certificate confirming no outstanding community fees, if applicable
- First occupation licence where applicable
- Documentation relating to swimming pools or extensions, if they exist
- Septic tank documentation for rural properties
- AFO certificate (Asimilado a Fuera de Ordenación), if applicable
- Documentation relating to the water supply (mains water, irrigation water, well or water deposit)
- Information about the electricity supply (mains electricity or solar panels)
Information relating to the property is provided by the owner or their legal representatives.
For this reason, it is recommended that a specialised lawyer reviews the documentation before any purchase contract is formalised.
4. Marketing strategy and property preparation
Once the property has been analysed, Clover Estates develops a marketing strategy aimed at finding the right buyer.
Before starting promotion and viewings, it is advisable to prepare the property:
- Keep the property clean and tidy
- Remove personal items visible in photographs
- Allow as much natural light as possible
- Maintain the garden and outdoor spaces
- Keep the swimming pool clean and operational, if there is one
Marketing may include:
- High-quality professional photography
- Drone images where possible
- Publication on the Clover Estates website
- Promotion on international property portals
- Promotion on social media and digital platforms
- Marketing to buyers in the international client database
The property may also be promoted at international property exhibitions such as:
- A Place in the Sun Live (United Kingdom)
- Second Home Expo (Belgium and the Netherlands)
5. Viewings with potential buyers
During viewings it is important that buyers can see the property calmly and in the best possible conditions.
It is recommended to:
- Keep the property well ventilated
- Ensure good natural lighting
- Remove pets during viewings
- Keep the house tidy
Clover Estates keeps the seller informed with feedback from viewings and arranges appointments by notifying the owner in advance.
6. Purchase offer and reservation
The purchase offer is one of the most important stages of the selling process.
At this stage the main negotiation concerns the sale price of the property.
When buyer and seller reach an agreement, a reservation agreement prepared by the estate agent is signed.
At that point:
- The buyer pays a deposit
- The property is withdrawn from the market
This initial agreement allows the lawyers to begin the legal review of the property.
7. Deposit contract (arras)
The deposit contract (contrato de arras) is usually signed approximately two weeks after the reservation, once the lawyers have reviewed the property documentation.
At this point, a payment equivalent to 10% of the purchase price is normally made, deducting the amount already paid with the reservation.
This amount is paid to the seller by bank transfer to their account.
The arras contract also includes an inventory of furniture or items included in the sale of the property.
The contract should also specify how the final inspection of the property will be carried out before signing the deed, to confirm the condition of the property and the agreed inventory.
Power of attorney
If the seller cannot travel to Spain, they can grant a power of attorney to a lawyer or legal representative.
This power allows the lawyer to carry out various procedures on behalf of the seller, such as:
- Signing contracts
- Signing the arras contract
- Signing the deed before the notary
- Carrying out administrative procedures
- Paying taxes or completing formalities related to the sale
8. Deed of sale
The sale is formally completed by signing the public deed before a notary.
At that moment:
- The buyer pays the remaining balance of the purchase price
- The keys are handed over
- Ownership of the property is transferred
If the owner has granted a power of attorney, the lawyer can sign the deed on their behalf.
After completion, the buyer's lawyer normally manages the change of ownership of utilities and the payment of the relevant taxes.
9. Work of the estate agent and cost of the service
During the selling process the estate agent carries out many tasks to promote the property and find a buyer.
These include:
- Professional property valuation
- Advice on market pricing
- Marketing strategy
- Professional photography
- Advertising on property portals and digital platforms
- Organisation of viewings
- Negotiation between buyer and seller
- Coordination with lawyers and the notary
- Guidance throughout the entire sales process
All these services and the marketing costs associated with promoting the property are free of charge to the seller if the property does not sell.
The estate agent's commission is only paid when the sale is successfully completed and is normally paid on the day the deed is signed before the notary.
10. Tax planning when selling
When selling a property in Spain, several taxes may apply.
Capital gains tax
Capital gains tax is paid on the profit obtained from selling a property.
It is calculated based on the difference between the purchase price and the sale price, with certain expenses related to the purchase or sale being deductible.
Typical costs when selling a property
Costs that may arise during the sale include:
- Capital gains tax
- Municipal plusvalía tax
- Mortgage cancellation, if applicable
- Energy performance certificate
- Legal fees
- Estate agency commission
3% tax retention for non-resident sellers
When the seller is not a tax resident in Spain, the buyer must withhold 3% of the sale price of the property and pay it to the Spanish Tax Agency using form 211.
The seller then submits form 210 to calculate the final tax liability.
11. Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to hire a lawyer to sell a property?
It is not legally required, but it is recommended in order to review documentation and manage the legal process.
Can I sell my property without travelling to Spain?
Yes. It is possible to grant a power of attorney to a lawyer who can sign the documents on behalf of the seller.
How long does the selling process usually take?
Once an offer has been accepted, the process until signing the deed usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks, depending on the transaction.
12. Thinking of selling your property?
If you are thinking of selling your property in Albox, Arboleas or the Almanzora Valley, Clover Estates can assist you throughout the entire process, from the initial valuation to signing before the notary.