Buying property in Marbella
Property for sale in Marbella ranges from beachfront apartments and lock-up-and-leave penthouses to family villas, gated estates, new developments and building plots. The useful question is not how many listings exist, but which homes fit the way you intend to live, the level of privacy you need and the value you want the property to retain over time.
SOBE Invest searches across our direct portfolio, collaborating agencies and the professional Inmobalia MLS network, together with private owner and broker relationships. We cover Marbella’s Golden Mile, Nueva Andalucía, Sierra Blanca, Puente Romano, Marbella East and the wider prime market around Benahavís and La Zagaleta. Suitable public, shared-agency and off-market properties in Marbella are reviewed through one adviser, so you do not have to repeat the same search with multiple agencies.
Once a property is shortlisted, we coordinate the practical route from viewing and negotiation to independent legal due diligence, contracts and completion at the notary. For the complete sequence, see our guide to buying property on the Costa del Sol.
Estimate ITP or IVA + AJD, legal, notary and Land Registry costs for any property — then generate a clear PDF summary to save or print.
Marbella buyer FAQ
Clear answers to the questions international buyers ask before viewing property in Marbella. Tax and legal circumstances should always be confirmed for the individual purchase.
Yes. Spain allows foreign and non-resident buyers to own property. You will need a Spanish NIE identification number for the transaction, and an independent lawyer should verify the property and represent your interests throughout the purchase.
A resale property in Andalucía is generally subject to 7% transfer tax (ITP). A new-build home is generally subject to 10% VAT plus 1.2% stamp duty (AJD). Notary, Land Registry, legal and any financing costs are additional, so the final total depends on the property and the buyer. Use our property purchase-cost calculator for a preliminary estimate and printable PDF summary, then confirm the figures with your independent tax adviser or lawyer.
No. Much of the Costa del Sol market is shared between professional agencies. SOBE combines direct listings, collaborating agencies, the Inmobalia MLS network and suitable private opportunities, then verifies availability and removes duplicates. One clear brief can therefore cover the relevant market through one accountable adviser.
From an accepted offer to completion at the notary, a straightforward purchase often takes around two to three months. The timetable can be shorter or longer depending on financing, documentation, due diligence and the terms agreed with the seller.
Yes. Viewings can begin by video, and a Spanish lawyer can usually complete much of the process under a notarised power of attorney. For a significant purchase, we still recommend seeing the property and its immediate surroundings personally whenever possible before committing.
Yes, when a suitable private opportunity exists for the buyer’s brief. Off-market availability changes constantly and is shared selectively with qualified buyers; it is not a fixed secret catalogue. A clear brief covering area, budget, property type, purpose and timing allows us to check the private market properly.
Independent due diligence should confirm ownership, registered charges, planning status, licences, community debts and rules, local taxes, the physical condition of the property and exactly what is included in the sale. For an investment purchase, rental rules, realistic operating costs and likely resale demand should also be tested before a deposit becomes non-refundable.