Selling property in Mallorca is rarely just a matter of putting up a sign. Buyers come from Spain and from all over Europe, documents are checked closely by notaries and banks, and small paperwork gaps can hold up a sale for weeks. At Inmobiliaria Palma we help owners sell flats, houses, villas and fincas in Palma and across the island, with a clear plan from the first valuation to the signing at the notary.
Start with an honest valuation
The asking price is the single biggest factor in how quickly a property sells. Too high, and the listing goes stale; too low, and you leave money on the table. We start with a free, no-obligation valuation based on the property itself, its location, its condition, its documents and comparable homes in the same area.
We explain the reasoning behind our figure in writing, so you can see where it comes from rather than simply being given a number. If you have doubts, we talk them through before anything goes online.
Get the paperwork ready before you advertise
Most delays in a Spanish property sale come from documents, not from buyers. Before marketing, we review your file and tell you what is missing. With legal support, we check:
- The nota simple from the Land Registry: who owns the property, its description and any mortgages, liens or other charges.
- Whether the registered description matches reality and the cadastral record (extensions, pools or annexes that were never declared are common).
- The energy performance certificate, which is needed to advertise the property.
- The cédula de habitabilidad (certificate of occupancy) and whether it is still valid.
- Building licences and, for rural properties, the legal status of any construction.
- The latest IBI (council tax) receipt and, in apartment blocks, a certificate from the community of owners confirming there are no outstanding fees.
If something needs fixing, it is far easier to do it now than with a buyer waiting. Our property document and legal check covers this in more detail.
Presentation and marketing
Buyers decide in seconds whether a listing is worth a closer look. We prepare good photographs, a clear and accurate description and a summary of the key features: orientation, light, outdoor space, parking, storage, distances to beaches, schools or the airport, and anything that makes your home different.
Because many buyers in Mallorca are international, we present your property in Spanish and English and we deal with enquiries in English, Spanish, French and Russian. We publish the listing on our website and on property portals, and we let buyers who have already told us what they are looking for know about it.
Filtering buyers so your time is not wasted
Not every enquiry is a real buyer. Before anyone goes further, we check what they are looking for, how they plan to pay and whether they need a mortgage. Buyers who need finance are encouraged to get approval in principle from their bank early. Foreign buyers need an NIE (foreign identity number) and a Spanish bank account to complete; we tell them this from the start so it does not hold up the signing.
We report every serious offer to you in writing.
Negotiation and the arras contract
When you accept an offer, the usual next step in Spain is a contrato de arras: a private deposit contract in which the buyer pays a deposit and both parties commit to completing by a set date. The type of arras matters. With the most common type (arras penitenciales), if the buyer walks away they lose the deposit, and if the seller withdraws they must return it twice over.
We draft or review the arras contract with legal support, making sure the price, the payment schedule, the completion date, what is included (furniture, appliances, parking, storage room) and who pays which costs are all clearly set out.
Completion at the notary
The sale is completed by signing the public deed (escritura) before a notary. Before that day, we coordinate with the notary, the buyer’s bank and, if there is a mortgage on the property, your bank, so that it can be cancelled at the same time.
On the day, the buyer pays the balance, you hand over the keys and the notary sends the deed for registration.
Taxes you should know about as a seller
Every sale is different, so we always recommend a personal tax review. In general terms, as a seller you should plan for:
- Plusvalía municipal: a local tax on the increase in land value, normally paid by the seller.
- Capital gains tax on any profit, through your income tax return if you are resident in Spain, or through the non-resident tax regime if you are not.
- If you are a non-resident seller, the buyer must withhold part of the price at the notary and pay it to the Spanish tax office on account of your capital gains tax. You can reclaim any excess afterwards.
We explain these points early so there are no surprises when the money is shared out on completion day.
Selling an inherited property or a property with tenants
If the property comes from an inheritance, the inheritance must first be formalised and registered in the heirs’ names. If there are tenants, their rights under the lease must be respected, and they may have a right of first refusal. These situations are common in Mallorca and we help you plan around them from the start.
Why sell with Inmobiliaria Palma
- We are based in Palma and work across the whole of Mallorca.
- Free, no-obligation valuation before you decide anything.
- Legal support to check documents and contracts before signing.
- Service in English, Spanish, French and Russian.
- Written updates at every step, so you always know where things stand.
If you would rather keep the property and let it out, have a look at our rental management service. If you are also buying, see our guide to buying property in Mallorca.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to sell a property in Mallorca?
It depends on the price, the location, the condition of the property and how ready the paperwork is. A well-priced home with its documents in order usually moves far faster than one with registry or licence issues.
Can I sell my property in Mallorca while living abroad?
Yes. Many owners of property in Mallorca live outside Spain. You can sign in person or give a power of attorney before a notary, in Spain or abroad, so that someone can sign on your behalf.
Do I need an energy certificate to sell?
Yes. It is required to advertise and to sign the sale. If you do not have one, we can tell you how to obtain it.
Tell us about your property
Write to us at info@inmobiliariapalma.es or use the contact form. Tell us what type of property it is, where it is and what you would like to do. If you can, attach a few photos or the title deed and we will tell you which documents are missing. We reply in writing, in English, Spanish, French or Russian.