One impact of coronavirus is that many people have decided to sell in Spain without getting on a plane to come out here, as with lockdown they just want to arrange things in the easiest way.
How to Sell Without Travelling
If you feel that your property in Spain is in good order and tidy and you have a set of keys with a key holder then that is the first step. Having paperwork in order is the second. An estate agent,and certainly your conveyancing team, will probably wish to see your deeds and suma or IBI (council tax) bill, but you may have those at home, on email or with your accountant for non resident tax so could provide them anyway.
You can agree terms with your estate agent, they put it on the market and you can start initial enquiries with us or another conveyancing firm. We cannot tell you the figures accurately until we know how much you are selling for, but we can inform you of expenses roughly. Such as if you are a non-resident of Spain, 3% will be retained at the Notary towards any unpaid taxes, including capital gains tax. We would calculate the exact liability, if there is any, once we know the selling price.
Paperwork to Sell in Spain
As well as the deeds and suma/Ibi bill, we will need your passports and NIES, copies of bills such as water, electricity, gas, community of owners. (But most people have those on email or at least one back home), plus the recent habitation certificate. Generally unless purchased in recent years, a habitation certificate needs updating. Also it is law to have an energy efficiency certificate in Spain now. But these are both done by an architect so again as long as there is a set of keys in Spain, that is fine. We could arrange this.
Coming to Sign When you Sell in Spain
Coming to Spain is not necessary as we can act for both sellers and buyers with a power of attorney. All the contact and discussions can be made by email and phone without any problems.
So if you are thinking of selling but worried that you cannot come to Spain for some time, then please let us know and I am sure we can help you. Also by introducing an estate agent that you could work with if your property is in this region.