Everything you need to know before buying or selling property in the Canary Islands

Yes, buying property in the Canary Islands as a non-resident is absolutely possible. What matters is not so much where you live, but how the process is handled.

Real security does not only come from finding a beautiful property. It comes from properly reviewing the documentation, checking for charges, understanding the urban planning situation and knowing exactly what you are buying before you commit.

Buying calmly does not mean moving slowly. It means doing things properly from the start.

The purchase price is not the total cost of the transaction. In addition to the property price, you normally need to take taxes, notary fees, land registry fees and other related costs into account.

As a general reference, many buyers calculate an additional 8% to 10%, although the final percentage may vary depending on the type of property and the specific transaction.

What matters is not only having the money to buy. It is having clarity about the real cost from the beginning.

Yes. The NIE, or Foreigner Identification Number, is mandatory for any foreign buyer who wants to purchase property in Spain.

This number identifies you for tax purposes and will be required to sign at the notary, pay taxes and complete other steps related to the purchase.

It is not an obstacle, but it should be arranged in time so it does not delay the transaction.

It depends. Not every property can legally be used for holiday rentals, even if it may seem suitable at first sight.

Its viability depends on current regulations, urban planning and, in some cases, the specific situation of the building or the area.

A property may be beautiful and seem profitable in theory, and still not be suitable for that use. That is why it should be verified before buying, not afterwards.

Legal issues are not always visible at first glance. Sometimes they appear in the form of charges, discrepancies between land registry and cadastre, undeclared extensions or unresolved urban planning matters.

The key is not to panic, but to identify those risks before signing any serious commitment.

The problem is not that a property may have an issue. The problem is not knowing it in time.

The process usually goes through several stages: search, viewings, document review, reservation or deposit, private contract, preparation of the deed and signing at the notary.

In some cases, financing, powers of attorney or prior arrangements with banks, lawyers or public authorities are also involved.

The order matters. And when each step is done properly, the whole process becomes clearer and safer.

Yes, in many cases it is possible to buy remotely by granting a power of attorney.

This is especially useful for international buyers who want to move forward without having to travel constantly.

What matters is not being physically present at every step. What matters is that the process is properly controlled and coordinated.

There is no single timeframe for every case, but many transactions can be completed within a few weeks if the documentation is clear and no issues arise.

When mortgages, inheritances, regularisations or missing documents are involved, the process may take longer.

More important than moving fast is avoiding mistakes that later force you to correct the path.

It depends on how it is done, but in many cases a clear strategy with one main point of contact delivers better results than spreading the property across many hands.

When a property appears with different messages, inconsistent prices or no clear direction, the market senses disorder and that weakens the seller’s position.

It is not about having more agencies. It is about having a better strategy.

The real price is not simply the figure you would like to achieve or the one you see advertised online. It is the point where market conditions, demand, supply and buyer perception meet.

A poorly defined asking price at the beginning can cause a property to stagnate and lose strength.

Good pricing is not guesswork. It is market interpretation based on judgment.

There is no universal answer. The time required depends on price, presentation, location, demand quality and launch strategy.

A well-positioned property can generate interest quickly. A poorly launched one can spend months without attracting the right type of viewings.

The difference is not always the property itself. Very often it is how it is presented to the market.

The most common mistakes are usually incorrect pricing, weak presentation, poor photography, missing documentation and an unclear marketing strategy.

But there is one even more dangerous mistake: assuming the right buyer will simply appear without proper positioning.

Properties do not sell by accident. They are prepared, launched and managed properly.

Depending on the case, a seller may have to cover municipal capital gains tax, tax on any capital gain, registry cancellation costs if there are charges, and professional fees.

Not every case is the same, which is why it is important to calculate not only the desired sale price, but also the real net amount that will remain after the transaction.

Selling well also means knowing what you will actually keep.

In most cases, yes. An energy certificate is normally mandatory when selling a residential property.

Besides being a legal requirement in many situations, it is wise to have it ready from the beginning to avoid unnecessary delays.

The better a sale is prepared from the start, the smoother the process becomes.

A deposit contract is an agreement signed before the final deed that commits both parties and usually includes financial consequences if one of them fails to comply.

It is not just a symbolic gesture. It is a document with real relevance, and that is why it must be drafted and reviewed carefully.

Signing it without fully understanding it is one of the most common and costly mistakes.

It depends on what was agreed in the signed contract.

In many cases, if there is no clause protecting the buyer and the buyer withdraws without a contractually recognised reason, the amount paid may be lost.

That is why it is so important to adapt the contract properly to the real profile of the transaction rather than signing generic texts without review.

Under the usual type of deposit contract in Spain, if the seller backs out, the seller must return double the amount received.

But again, everything depends on the specific wording of the contract and how the transaction has been structured.

Legal security does not come from assumptions. It comes from reading, understanding and agreeing things properly from the beginning.

On the purchase side, taxes such as transfer tax or, in some cases, IGIC may apply, along with notary and registry costs.

On the sale side, municipal capital gains tax and tax on any capital gain may come into play.

Every case has nuances. That is why generic figures are rarely enough when a significant transaction is involved.

It is not enough that the property exists, looks attractive or has been used in a certain way for years. Its legal situation must be reviewed through documentation.

That means checking the land registry, cadastre, ownership, possible charges, surface consistency and urban planning situation, among other points.

What appears clear at first glance is not always clear on paper. And in real estate, paperwork matters a great deal.

Because for me it is not only about showing properties or publishing listings. It is about guiding important decisions with more clarity, more strategy and less improvisation.

After more than 20 years in Gran Canaria, I know that many transactions do not fail بسبب lack of interest, but because they lack direction.

I do not work to push you. I work to help you see clearly.

A Real Estate Personal Shopper works with the buyer’s interests in mind, rather than trying to sell one particular property above everything else.

That makes it easier to filter options properly, save time, analyse opportunities more calmly and make decisions with a more strategic perspective.

It is not only about opening doors. It is about helping you choose better.

Yes. When it makes sense for the client, I also collaborate with other agencies in order to widen access to opportunities on the market.

This allows you to have one main point of contact who coordinates, filters and accompanies you, instead of having to deal with multiple agencies at the same time.

More access to the market should not mean more noise. It should mean more clarity.