How to Choose an Estate Agency in Marbella: 6 Questions to Ask

Short answer: a good estate agency in Marbella has a physical office on the coast, works with the shared multi-agency network so it can show you almost every home for sale (not only its own listings), speaks your language, puts its commission in writing before you start, and never asks you to pay a deposit into its own account. Look at recent Google reviews, ask how well they know the specific areas you are considering, and make sure you have your own independent lawyer from the start.

1. Can they show you the whole market?

Most homes for sale on the Costa del Sol are shared between agencies through multi-agency networks such as Resales Online, where agencies agree to split the commission. An agency connected to that network can show you thousands of resale homes and new developments, and arrange viewings of properties listed by other agencies. Ask directly: “Can you show me homes that other agencies have listed?” If the answer is no, you will only see a small part of what is available.

2. Do they really know the area you want?

Marbella is not one market. A penthouse in Puerto Banús, a villa on the golf in Nueva Andalucía and a townhouse in San Pedro are different worlds, with different prices per square metre, buyers and rental potential. A good agent can tell you, without looking it up, what similar homes have sold or been asking in that street, which developments have problems, and which areas suit your plans. Our area guides and monthly market report show the kind of local data you should expect.

3. Is the commission clear and in writing?

In Spain the agency’s commission is normally paid by the seller and is agreed in writing in the listing agreement; on the Costa del Sol it is commonly around 5% plus VAT, although it is negotiable. As a buyer you should not be asked for a fee unless you have hired the agency specifically to search for you, and that should also be agreed in writing beforehand. If you are selling, ask what the commission includes: photography, video, advertising on the portals, international marketing and accompanying viewings.

4. Who holds the deposit?

When you reserve a property you usually pay a reservation deposit, followed by a larger payment on signing a private purchase contract. These payments should go to the seller’s or the lawyers’ client account under a written agreement drafted or reviewed by your lawyer, never in cash and never to an agent without clear written terms. A serious agency will explain the steps and will encourage you to have your own lawyer, independent from the agency and the seller.

5. Do they speak your language and answer quickly?

Most buyers in Marbella are international. Choose an agency that can handle the whole process in your language, from the first call to the notary, and that answers within a working day. Speed matters: the best-priced homes in popular areas often receive offers within days.

6. What do recent clients say?

Read the most recent Google reviews, not only the score. Look for specific comments about honesty, follow-up after the sale and how problems were handled. A long-established office with many recent reviews is a safer choice than an agent working on their own without a fixed address.

Warning signs

• Pressure to reserve the same day, before your lawyer has seen anything.
• Requests for cash, or for payments to a personal account.
• No office, no company details on the website and no written agreement.
• Prices or rental figures without any evidence, or refusing to show you comparable homes.
• “Exclusive” homes that you later find advertised by many other agencies at a lower price.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay the estate agent when I buy in Marbella?

Usually not. The seller normally pays the agency commission, agreed in the listing contract. Buyers only pay an agency if they hire it as a buyer’s agent, which should be agreed in writing in advance.

Should I work with one agency or several?

Because most homes are shared between agencies, one well-connected agency can show you almost the whole market and coordinate everything. Working with several often means seeing the same homes twice.

Do I need a lawyer as well as an agent?

Yes. The agent finds the home and negotiates; an independent lawyer checks the title, debts, licences and contracts. In Spain these are different roles, and the lawyer should work only for you.

How we work

Airus Homes is a local agency with an office in Marbella (Avenida Jacinto Benavente 33). We are connected to the Resales Online network, so we can show you almost every home for sale on the coast, we work in English, Spanish, French and Russian, and we publish our own monthly market report. Tell us what you are looking for, or ask for a free valuation if you are selling.

General information, October 2026, not legal or tax advice.