How to sell property in Fuengirola: the complete guide (2026)

This is the guide we wish we had when we first started selling properties on the Costa del Sol. It covers the entire selling process — from initial decision through to keys handover at the notary — with real 2026 market data, the mistakes we see repeatedly, and the decisions that save or cost the most money.

Written for international owners selling property in Fuengirola, Mijas, or anywhere on the western Costa del Sol. Read it in one go (30 minutes) or jump to the section you need.

1. Choose the right time to sell

The best moment to sell is when active market demand + your personal availability + favourable economic conditions converge. On the Costa del Sol, peak demand periods are March-June and September-November. Listing in February or August typically yields lower initial traction.

Before listing, make sure you know:

• What you’ll do with the proceeds (reinvest, save, buy elsewhere).
• The taxes involved — especially capital gains and plusvalía municipal.
• If you need to buy another property, coordinate timing.

2. Set the right price from day one

This is the most expensive mistake when selling. Listing 10-15% above market “to leave room for negotiation” sounds reasonable in theory but burns your listing in practice. Serious buyers look and pass, time-wasters fill your visits, and when you eventually lower the price two months later nobody believes it’s an opportunity.

How to set the right price:

• Compare with recent closed sales on your street or building (not online listings — those are asking prices).
• Realistic negotiation margin: 2-3%, not 15%.
• If you don’t get visits in the first 15 days, there’s a pricing or presentation problem.

3. Prepare all documentation before you start

Before listing — and certainly before the first visit — have ready:

• Property deed (escritura)
• Up-to-date Land Registry note
• Most recent IBI receipt
• Energy efficiency certificate (10-year validity)
• Certificate of habitability or first occupation licence
• Community of owners arrears certificate
• If mortgaged: outstanding balance certificate
• If inherited: registered acceptance of inheritance

If your property is inherited, you must register the inheritance to your name before you can sell. This adds 2-4 months. Plan accordingly.

If you have a mortgage outstanding, three solutions exist. Most common: cancellation at completion. Your bank issues the outstanding balance certificate and the cancellation happens at the notary’s office on signing day.

4. Choose how to work (or sell privately)

Three real options:

• Full-service estate agency: they handle everything, commission 4-6% + VAT, completion in 3-5 months. Recommended if you don’t want to invest time or your property has complexity.
• Sell privately: you handle it, save commission but take on time and risk. Works if your property is easy to sell and you have 30-50 hours to invest.
• Hybrid: private sale with hourly legal support (€300-600 total). Save commission with legal safety net.

If you choose an agency, look for: physical office, written fee schedule before signing, no upfront charges, professional photography in current listings, real Google reviews, integrated legal advice, micro-local knowledge of your area.

5. Marketing and presentation that works

Quality of marketing multiplies visits by 3-5x. Key elements:

• Professional photo shoot: DSLR, horizontal orientation, natural light, depersonalised property. €200-400 if hired separately.
• 360° virtual tour: especially useful for international buyers. €100-250.
• Well-written listing copy: details that matter (orientation, views, equipment, distances) without empty generalities.
• Multi-portal publication: Idealista, Fotocasa as a baseline. For international buyers: Rightmove (UK), ImmobilienScout24 (DE), Funda (NL), Hemnet (SE).
• Targeted social media campaigns: especially Facebook and Instagram with audience segmentation by interests.

6. Filter visitors and negotiate offers

Not every visit is a serious buyer. Three filtering questions:

• Have you got financing approved or are you still arranging it?
• What’s your timeline for taking possession?
• Are you looking only in this area or in others too?

On offers: any reasonable offer deserves a response. If 10-15% below your asking, counter-propose midway. If 20-30% below, usually not worth responding — these are investor probes looking for distressed sales.

7. Deposit (arras) and legal protection

Once you have an agreement, sign arras penitenciales within 1-2 weeks. Key components:

• Deposit of 5-10% of sale price (typically 5%).
• Deadline for final signing: 60-90 days.
• Penalty clause: if buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if seller backs out, refunds double.
• Price, payment method, completion date, location of signing, costs.
• Condition of handover (empty, with furniture).

Without written arras and money in escrow, the agreement is worthless. A verbal commitment in the real estate market disappears with the wind.

8. Road to completion at the notary

During the arras period (60-90 days):

• Buyer arranges mortgage approval (4-6 weeks).
• Agency/gestoría coordinates notary, valuation, and registry.
• You handle mortgage cancellation if applicable.
• Any registry discrepancies or outstanding charges are resolved.

On signing day at the notary: you bring ID, keys, deed, and outstanding documents. Buyer pays the price, you hand over keys. Mortgage (if any) is cancelled in the same act. You leave with the money in your account.

9. Taxes and costs for the seller

Selling isn’t just receiving money — adding costs, your net is quite different. For a €250,000 property without mortgage and without reinvestment:

• Plusvalía municipal: €1,500-€3,000.
• Capital gains tax (IRPF): depends on what you paid and any reinvestment.
• Agency commission (if you use one): 4-6% + 21% VAT = €12,500-15,000.
• Mortgage cancellation (if any): €600-€1,200.
• Certificates and admin: €150-€400.

Non-resident sellers: the buyer is legally required to withhold 3% of the sale price as advance against your capital gains tax. You regularise it in the following tax return.

10. After signing: what to do

• Pay plusvalía municipal: 30 working days from signing. Gestoría handles it or you do it online.
• Transfer utility accounts: electricity, water, gas, community. Coordinate with buyer.
• Return outstanding items: signed inventory copy, garage remote, etc.
• Registry cancellation of mortgage: tracked in the 4-8 weeks after signing.
• Tax return next year: declare the capital gain in your IRPF (residents) or IRNR (non-residents) for the following tax year.

Most expensive recurring mistakes

Five mistakes that cost the most: emotional pricing, poor photos, documentation gaps when the buyer appears, no visit filtering, and skipping written arras. Avoid these and you’re already ahead of most private sellers.

If you need to sell quickly

Five legitimate methods to accelerate, with discounts ranging from 3% to 30% depending on actual urgency. The cleanest: aggressive pricing + accelerated marketing. The most expensive but fastest: selling to a professional iBuyer.

If you’ll buy after selling

Many sellers buy another property with the proceeds. Useful information:

• Capital gains exemption for primary residence reinvestment: if you reinvest in another primary home within 2 years, the gain is exempt (proportional to amount reinvested).
• Buying costs in Andalusia: ITP 7% for resale, IVA 10% + AJD 1.2% for new builds, plus notary and registry. Total 9-13% for resale, 12-16% for new build.
• If buying as non-resident: there are specific considerations — NIE, bank account, financing. See our buyer’s guide for international buyers.

Summary: the entire path in one page

1. Choose a favourable time with a clear plan for the proceeds.
2. Gather all documents (3 weeks) before advertising.
3. Set realistic price based on closed comparables.
4. Choose how to work: agency, private, or hybrid.
5. Professional marketing: photos, copy, the right portals for your buyer type.
6. Filter visits with screening questions.
7. Negotiate offers and sign arras with reasonable timeline.
8. Coordinate mortgage cancellation, documents, and notary.
9. Sign, hand over keys, receive net proceeds.
10. Post-signing: plusvalía, utility transfers, tax return next year.

If you’d like full support

At InRealty we accompany you through every step: professional valuation, document handling, local and international marketing, visit filtering, negotiation, deposit drafting, and coordination through to completion. No upfront charges, written fee from the first meeting.

Physical office at Av. Juan Gómez Juanito 6, 29640 Fuengirola. We cover all the western Costa del Sol: Fuengirola, Mijas Pueblo and Costa, Benalmádena, Marbella.

Phone: +34 626 534 335 · Email: [email protected] · Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-18:00.