Selling Your Spanish Resort Property: Why Professional Representation Matters

The Hidden Dangers of “Best Mate” Property Sales in Spain

If you own a property on one of Murcia’s prestigious golf resorts, you’ve made a significant investment in a slice of Spanish paradise. Whether at Mar Menor Golf, Hacienda Riquelme, or La Torre, your property represents not just financial value, but years of cherished memories under the Mediterranean sun.

When the time comes to sell, it can be tempting to cut corners with costs. Perhaps a friend or acquaintance has offered to “help you out” with the sale, promising to save you commission fees. Maybe someone who’s sold a few properties informally has approached you, claiming to have a network of potential buyers.

But before you hand over the keys to your valuable asset, there’s something you need to know: selling property in Spain is a complex, multi-stage process laden with specific legal requirements and significant tax obligations that can seriously impact your bottom line if handled incorrectly.

Photo of a man buying a house from an unlicensed vendor and on the right reading a letter from the tax office

The Real Risks of Using Unlicensed Intermediaries

When you use an unlicensed “best mate” or self-styled property consultant to sell your Spanish property, you’re exposing yourself to substantial risks:

1. Financial Dangers

  • Incorrect Property Valuation: Without proper market analysis and professional valuation methods, your property could be significantly undervalued, resulting in thousands of euros in lost proceeds. Alternatively, overpricing can lead to your property languishing unsold for months or even years.
  • Mishandling of Deposits: When deposits (typically 10% of the purchase price) are handled by individuals without proper client account protection, they’re vulnerable to misappropriation. Imagine a scenario where your buyer pays a €30,000 deposit that goes missing due to your intermediary’s financial difficulties or dishonesty.
  • Tax Miscalculations: For UK non-residents, Spanish Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is typically charged at 24%, and there’s a mandatory 3% withholding on the total sale price that must be properly processed. Errors in these calculations can result in substantial penalties and interest charges, turning what should be a profitable sale into a financial nightmare.

2. Legal Exposure

  • Inadequate Due Diligence: Failing to identify outstanding debts attached to the property, illegal constructions, non-compliance with planning regulations, or the absence of essential permits can derail your sale or lead to future legal challenges that revert back to you as the seller.
  • Non-Compliance with Spanish Property Law: Ignorance or disregard for Spanish property laws and documentation requirements can render contracts invalid, lead to fines, or cause significant delays.
  • Defective Contracts: Poorly drafted preliminary contracts (Contrato de Arras) can create ambiguity, fail to protect your interests, and lead to disputes. Remember that if you withdraw from this binding agreement, you typically must return double the deposit amount to the buyer.
A photo of a lawyer holding a legal contract for a seller to sign

3. Complete Lack of Consumer Protection

  • No Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII): If an unlicensed individual’s mistake leads to financial loss for you, there’s no insurance policy to claim against. You’ll bear the loss yourself or face the uncertainty of legal action against an individual who may not have the resources to compensate you.
  • No Client Money Protection: Deposits held by unlicensed agents aren’t protected by mandatory bonding, insurance schemes, or segregated account requirements that regulated agents must maintain.
  • No Adherence to Codes of Conduct: Unlicensed operators aren’t bound by professional codes of ethics that mandate honesty, transparency, and acting in your best interest.

How Professional Representation Protects Your Investment

In contrast, choosing a professional, reputable estate agent provides significant advantages and protections:

1. Expert Guidance Through the Complex Sales Process

A professional agent navigates you through every stage of the Spanish property sale:

  • Strategic Market Analysis: Determining the optimal asking price based on current market trends, buyer preferences, and economic indicators specific to the Murcia golf resort market.
  • Effective Marketing: Creating compelling advertisements with high-quality photographs, well-structured descriptions, and targeted promotion to reach potential buyers, particularly international ones who may pay premium prices.
  • Thorough Documentation Management: Ensuring all necessary paperwork is correctly assembled, from the Nota Simple Informativa and Energy Performance Certificate to community fee confirmations and the latest IBI receipt.
  • Tax Compliance: Correctly managing the complex tax obligations, particularly the mandatory 3% withholding for non-residents and the accurate calculation of Capital Gains Tax liability.
sell with lonrah confidence

2. Financial Safeguards and Security

  • Professional Indemnity Insurance: This crucial safety net protects you if the agent’s error or negligence causes you financial loss, providing a source of compensation that simply doesn’t exist with unlicensed individuals.
  • Client Money Protection: Reputable agents maintain proper financial safeguards for client funds, particularly deposits, through bonding, insurance, or segregated client accounts.
  • Structured After-Sales Support: Professional agencies provide dedicated support through the complex post-sale process, ensuring proper tax payments, utility transfers, and registration changes.

3. Market-Specific Expertise

The unique characteristics of golf resort properties necessitate specialist knowledge that generic agents or informal contacts simply don’t possess:

  • Resort-Specific Valuation: Understanding the premiums associated with specific locations (e.g., frontline golf views), proximity to amenities, and the desirability of different property types.
  • Targeted Marketing to Qualified Buyers: Professional agents maintain networks of potential buyers specifically interested in resort properties, ensuring your property reaches the right audience.
  • International Reach: Access to overseas buyers who often pay premium prices, particularly when buying from fellow countrymen they trust.

The Lonrah Difference: Your Specialist Partner in the Resorts

At Lonrah, our exclusive focus on Mar Menor, Hacienda Riquelme, La Torre, and other premium Murcia golf resorts gives us unparalleled expertise in this niche market. Our deep understanding of these communities allows us to:

  • Maximize Your Property’s Value: Through accurate, resort-specific valuation and strategic marketing to our extensive network of qualified buyers.
  • Provide Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation through to completion and beyond, with dedicated after-sales service managed by our highly experienced after-sales team.
  • Offer Peace of Mind: With our professional approach, market-leading position (over 100 resort sales annually), and commitment to keeping you updated, consulted, and in control throughout the process.
  • Deliver Results: Our track record speaks for itself – with 48 sales secured already in 2025 and our website ranking at the top of Google search results for each of our specialist resorts.

What our Clients Say

Our clients’ experiences reflect our commitment to excellence. Here’s what they have to say about working with us.

John
London is a well-practised and skilled negotiator. On selling our property, he managed to get us the sales price that we were very happy with.

I did not feel that I was being lent on to accept a lesser price in order that London could walk away with his commission.

I think that the buyers were happy too.

London understands the importance of ensuring that all parties come away thinking that they have a fair price for the property – he understands that there is no point in getting a verbal agreement one day, just for one party to pull out the next day because they felt that did not get a good deal.
Vaghan Cooper
There are Estate Agents, brilliant Estate Agents and now there is Lonrah. London and Sarah are 'truly exceptional' in what they do.

Lonrah take the time to get to know the client, what your needs and expectations are and then they deliver exactly to the brief. London's knowledge of the property market in the area cannot be surpassed and Sarah provides all the care and attention to detail during the after sales process that you would normally only hope for. Going the extra mile by helping you achieve your dream of owning your Spanish home has been so impressive.

Virtual viewings and return visits have made the process seamless and you really feel as though you have been in the home you have viewed. Keep up the great work Lonrah.
Paul Beckers
We sold our apartment at Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort with Lonrah's help. Perfect service, clear price agreements, quick communication and no question too much.

We used to buy this flat with the help of London Eldridge and Sarah Day before they started Lonrah together. That purchase went very smoothly. London with the visits, always professional but never pushy and next Sarah with the excellent administrative handling. For all these reasons, we decided to let Lonrah guide us through this sale.

Not a moment of regret, all agreements were kept and the sale was also completed in an incredible short period. We recommend Lonrah and we love London and Sarah.

Thanks a million.

Paul & Christine Beckers-Baert
Andy Lees: (Mar Menor Golf Resort)
After just completing, remotely, on our first Spanish property I have to say I can't recommend London & Sarah at Lonrah highly enough. A remote viewing was arranged within minutes of the property being marketed and after a few phone calls our offer was accepted that day.

From the first minute London & Sarah have been fantastic, answering calls and emails so promptly, and have ensured what could have been a daunting experience as we are UK based was plain sailing.

Always there for us when needed and made us feel so comfortable throughout the whole transaction. Having worked with estate agents in the UK for the last 25 years I can honestly say they could learn a lot from Lonrah.

Highly recommended to say the least.
Justin Elvins: (La Torre Golf Resort)
First class service - London and Sarah have provided an exceptional service that we believe you will find very hard to even match let alone beat.

They took care of the whole process of selling our villa on La Torre Golf Reaort in Roldan. From the marketing of our villa, through to securing a buyer and completing the sale, their response time and keenness to provide the answer to any question, however small, was instant every time.

We would highly recommend them without a single hesitation.
Wesley Griffith (Hacienda Riquelme)
What an amazing team!

Helped us as buyers through the whole process, not just buying a property in Spain, but how to live life in Spain too! would highly recommend!!

Wesley and Claire

Take the Safe Path to a Successful Sale

The decision about who should represent you when selling your Spanish property is not merely about saving a commission fee – it’s about protecting your significant investment and ensuring a secure, compliant, and financially optimal transaction.

The stakes are simply too high to entrust your valuable Spanish property to unlicensed individuals without the qualifications, insurance, or accountability that professional representation provides.

Contact Lonrah today for a no-obligation consultation and professional valuation of your resort property. Experience the confidence that comes from working with true resort specialists who understand both the market and your needs as a UK seller.

Email: Sales@Lonrah.com
 Website: https://www.lonrah.com/selling-form/

Your Spanish property is too valuable to risk. Sell with confidence. Sell with Lonrah.

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Terms & Conditions

At Lonrah, our aim is to make our terms and conditions as clear and straightforward as possible. If you have any questions or wish to discuss anything, please don’t hesitate to ask, we are always here to help:

Sales@Lonrah.com

All properties at Lonrah are sold under exclusive instruction. This one to one relationship between us and our vendors is at the heart of our business.

1) Lonrah charges a sales commission of 4 percent plus IVA (Spanish VAT charged at 21 percent), with a minimum commission of €6950 plus IVA.

2) Whilst listing with Lonrah, the vendor agrees not to appoint any other estate agent, or to sell or advertise the property privately. Should a sale occur through any other channel, public or private, other than Lonrah, during this period, Lonrah’s commission will be payable. 

3) The applicable commission rate becomes payable on the signing of the reservation/deposit agreement formalising the sale, with payment typically deferred to completion.

4) There is no minimum contract period for listing with Lonrah. We believe your home is yours, and with us you always have the right to withdraw your property from sale, without penalty. 

5) If at any point a sale is agreed with a buyer introduced by Lonrah, Lonrah’s commission will be payable.

6) Depending on resort regulations, Lonrah will usually install a For Sale sign at the property. The seller agrees that no other For Sale sign will be erected whilst Lonrah are marketing the property. We understand that some owners will prefer to not have a For Sale board, if this is the case, please let us know.

7) When a sale is agreed, a 10 percent non refundable deposit will typically be paid, usually in two separate instalments, by the purchaser. Should the purchaser withdraw from the sale, Lonrah will retain 50 percent of any deposit, up to the agreed commission amount, for expenses incurred, with any remaining balance paid to the vendor.

8) Should a vendor withdraw from a sale once signing of the reservation/deposit agreement has occurred, in addition to the penalties stated on the agreement under the Spanish Civil Code, Lonrah’s commission will be payable.

9) During the sales process, Lonrah may offer purchasers and vendors financial, mortgage and legal advice, via third parties, including banks and currency exchange companies with the aim of ensuring that both buyer and seller receive the best possible service. In some cases Lonrah may earn a commission from these referrals.

ESPAÑOL

En Lonrah, nuestro objetivo es hacer que nuestros términos y condiciones sean lo más claros y sencillos posible. Si tienes alguna pregunta o deseas comentar algo, no dudes en consultarnos; siempre estamos aquí para ayudarte:

sales@lonrah.com

Todas las propiedades en Lonrah se venden bajo instrucción exclusiva. Esta relación directa entre nosotros y nuestros vendedores es el núcleo de nuestro negocio.

1) Lonrah cobra una comisión de venta del 4 por ciento más IVA (el IVA en España se aplica al 21 por ciento), con una comisión mínima de 6.950 € más IVA.

2) Durante el periodo de contrato con Lonrah, el vendedor acepta no contratar a ningún otro agente inmobiliario, ni vender ni publicitar la propiedad de forma privada. En caso de que se produzca una venta por cualquier otro canal, público o privado, diferente a Lonrah durante este periodo, se deberá abonar la comisión correspondiente a Lonrah.

3) La comisión aplicable será pagadera en el momento de la firma del contrato de reserva o de depósito que formaliza la venta, aunque el pago suele aplazarse hasta la finalización de la transacción.

4) No existe un período mínimo de contrato para listar tu propiedad con Lonrah. Creemos que tu hogar es tuyo, y con nosotros siempre tendrás derecho a retirar tu propiedad de la venta, sin penalización.

5) Si en cualquier momento se acuerda una venta con un comprador presentado por Lonrah, la comisión de Lonrah será pagadera.

6) Dependiendo de las normativas del complejo o resort, Lonrah instalará generalmente un cartel de “Se Vende” en la propiedad. El vendedor acepta que no se colocará ningún otro cartel de “Se Vende” mientras Lonrah esté comercializando la propiedad. Entendemos que algunos propietarios pueden preferir no tener un cartel de venta; si este es tu caso, háznoslo saber.

7) Cuando se acuerda una venta, el comprador suele pagar un depósito no reembolsable del 10 por ciento, generalmente en dos plazos. Si el comprador se retira de la venta, Lonrah retendrá el 50 por ciento del depósito, hasta el monto de la comisión acordada, para cubrir los gastos incurridos, y el saldo restante será pagado al vendedor.

8) Si el vendedor se retira de la venta después de la firma del contrato de reserva o de depósito, además de las penalizaciones estipuladas en dicho contrato bajo el Código Civil español, se deberá abonar la comisión correspondiente a Lonrah.

9) Durante el proceso de venta, Lonrah puede ofrecer a compradores y vendedores asesoramiento financiero, hipotecario y legal a través de terceros, incluidos bancos y empresas de cambio de divisas, con el objetivo de garantizar el mejor servicio posible para ambas partes. En algunos casos, Lonrah puede recibir una comisión por estas referencias.