Guide to Selling Property on the Costa Blanca

Selling property in Spain only feels complicated until you have a clear plan. Over years on the Costa Blanca — from villas in Jávea, Moraira and Altea to apartments in Benidorm, Calpe and Torrevieja — I have closed dozens of deals, and the right strategy saves sellers months of waiting and tens of thousands of euros.

This guide walks you through every stage: preparing and pricing the home, marketing, negotiation, contracts, Valencian Community taxes and signing at the notary.

1. Choosing a reliable expert

Buyers here come from a dozen countries, each with its own expectations. A local agent is your lead negotiator and strategist.

• Experience in your exact location: a villa in Cumbre del Sol is priced differently from a seafront apartment in Calpe.
• Understanding international buyers: multilingual presentation and cross-border deal experience.
• Honest valuation backed by recent closed sales, not inflated promises.

Volodymyr's tip: the best buyer is the prepared one — NIE, Spanish bank account, lawyer and proven funds. Closing in 4 weeks beats waiting six months for someone else's mortgage.

2. Preparing the property (Home Staging)

1. Declutter and depersonalise so buyers can picture themselves living there.
2. Fix the small things: paint, taps, locks, warm lighting.
3. Deep-clean terraces, pool and garden — they sell the lifestyle.
4. Agree an inventory of what furniture and appliances stay.

3. Open listing or exclusive

• Open listing: several agencies, little investment in marketing, duplicate ads at different prices.
• Exclusive: one agency with a clear marketing plan, premium content and a partner network.

4. Marketing

• Professional interior and architectural photography.
• Drone footage of the sea and coastline.
• Video tours for YouTube and social media.
• Multilingual presentation.
• Direct mailing to active buyers and investors.

5. Viewings

• Give your agent flexibility — buyers often fly in for 2–3 days.
• Owners are better absent so buyers speak freely.
• Serious buyers usually ask for a second visit.

6. Negotiation

• Price and payment terms.
• What is included in the sale.
• Deposit (Arras).
• Completion date, usually 30–60 days.
• Conditions such as mortgage approval or survey.

7. Contracts

1. Reservation: €3,000–10,000 or 1%, property off the market for 7–14 days.
2. Arras Penitenciales (art. 1454 Civil Code): buyer pays 10%; buyer withdraws — loses it, seller withdraws — returns double.

8. Due diligence

• Nota Simple from the Land Registry.
• Cédula de habitabilidad or Licencia de segunda ocupación.
• Energy certificate (CEE).
• Community of owners debt certificate.
• IBI and Basura receipts.

9. Completion at the notary

• Escritura de Compraventa signed in person or by power of attorney.
• Payment by Spanish bank cheques.
• Any mortgage is cancelled on the spot.
• Keys are handed over and the Registry is notified.

10. Seller taxes and costs

1. Agency commission.
2. Plusvalía Municipal (IIVTNU).
3. Capital gains tax: 19% for EU/EEA non-residents.
4. 3% non-resident withholding paid by the buyer (form 211), refundable if overpaid.

For reference: buyers pay 10% ITP on resale in the Valencian Community, or 10% IVA + 1.5% AJD on new builds.

11. After the sale

• Transfer utilities to the new owner.
• Notify the town hall and community.
• Keep the deed, cheques and tax returns for at least 5 years.

12. Why sellers choose Costablanca Top

• A strategy built around your ideal buyer.
• Photo, video, drone and copy in 7 languages.
• Direct reach into foreign markets.
• Full transparency at every stage.

Want to know what your property is really worth? Fill in the seller questionnaire below and we will prepare a sales plan.