Aurax Homes · Blog

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real estate tips

Everything you need to know to buy, sell or rent in Málaga and the Costa del Sol.

How to value and distribute a property in cases of inheritance, divorce, or common ownership division

How to value and distribute a property in cases of inheritance, divorce, or common ownership division

When several co-owners cannot agree on the value of a property, the standard approach is to obtain an expert appraisal report that establishes the market value at a specific date. This value serves to compensate the person exiting the property or, if no agreement is reached, to proceed with the legal action for division of common ownership as provided for in the Civil Code.

How to prepare your home for sale: the 21-point checklist that actually changes the price

How to prepare your home for sale: the 21-point checklist that actually changes the price

Preparing a property for sale involves decluttering, carrying out obvious repairs, maximising natural light, and using professional photography. Major renovations are rarely necessary: low-cost interventions — neutral paint, removing surplus furniture, tidying, and deep cleaning — offer the best return on investment. The cost of a full renovation is rarely recouped entirely in the final sale price.

Selling a Property in Andalusia: Documentation, Costs, and Taxes (2026 Guide)

Selling a Property in Andalusia: Documentation, Costs, and Taxes (2026 Guide)

To sell a property in Andalusia you need the title deed, an updated 'nota simple', energy performance certificate, the latest IBI receipt, a certificate of good standing with the community, and, where applicable, a certificate of zero debt for the mortgage. The seller assumes the municipal capital gains tax, capital gains tax in IRPF, and the registry cancellation of charges.

Catastral Reference Value: What it is, how to check it, and why it can ruin your property sale

Catastral Reference Value: What it is, how to check it, and why it can ruin your property sale

The reference value is the amount assigned by the General Directorate of Cadastre to each property, acting as the minimum taxable base for ITP, AJD, and Inheritance and Gift Tax. If you register your deed below this, the tax office will charge tax based on the reference value. It is the most common fiscal trap causing frustration along the Costa del Sol.

Investing in bricks and mortar in 2026: Costa del Sol vs Dubai vs Miami, a true comparison

Investing in bricks and mortar in 2026: Costa del Sol vs Dubai vs Miami, a true comparison

The Costa del Sol, Dubai, and Miami cater to different investor profiles. This article compares what is almost never compared: not the headline yield, but what remains after taxes, management, vacancies, and exit costs.

Renting in Málaga: Everything you need to know (guarantees, deposit, fees, and utilities)

Renting in Málaga: Everything you need to know (guarantees, deposit, fees, and utilities)

When renting in Málaga, the legal deposit is one month's rent for a primary residence and two months for seasonal contracts. For primary residences, agency fees are paid by the landlord as mandated by Article 20.1 of the LAU. 2026 guide based on the LAU and Civil Code.

How to sell your property on the Costa del Sol faster (without giving it away)

How to sell your property on the Costa del Sol faster (without giving it away)

On the Costa del Sol, a property with the right asking price sells in 4 to 8 weeks. What usually delays the process is almost never the market: it is the price, the presentation, and the documentation. This article explains the seven levers that control the timeframe.

Judicial Property Surveyor: What they do, when you need them, and the costs in Málaga

Judicial Property Surveyor: What they do, when you need them, and the costs in Málaga

A judicial property surveyor is a technical expert who issues expert reports on real estate that hold evidential value in court proceedings, and who can be called to testify. They intervene in cases involving inheritances, divorces, division of common property, hidden defects, boundary disputes, damp issues, and discrepancies in property surface areas between deeds, the Land Registry, and reality.

How a property is truly valued: the methods used by a surveyor (and how to apply them to your home)

How a property is truly valued: the methods used by a surveyor (and how to apply them to your home)

A property is valued primarily through the comparison method: comparable witnesses of similar properties sold in the area are selected and homogenized by applying coefficients for surface area, floor level, condition, orientation, and age. When no comparables exist, the cost method or the income capitalization method is used. The result is a range, never an exact figure.

Official Appraisals, Market Valuations, and Asking Prices: What is the Difference (and Which Do You Need?)

Official Appraisals, Market Valuations, and Asking Prices: What is the Difference (and Which Do You Need?)

An official appraisal is a signed report by a certified appraiser, valid for banks and courts, and subject to the ECO/805/2003 Order. A market valuation is a commercial analysis with no legal validity. The asking price is a strategic decision based on the valuation. All three can provide different yet correct figures simultaneously.

A Guide to Buying an Apartment in Málaga in 2026

A Guide to Buying an Apartment in Málaga in 2026

Everything you need to know about buying a property in Málaga and the Costa del Sol: areas, prices, taxes, and key advice.

"I'm in no rush to sell": how much waiting really costs (with the numbers)

"I'm in no rush to sell": how much waiting really costs (with the numbers)

In Spain, 11% of properties take more than a year to sell, and only 34% sell within the first month, according to idealista. In Málaga and the Costa del Sol, a property priced correctly sells in 4 to 8 weeks. Waiting does not increase the property's value: it accumulates maintenance costs and leads to a 'stale' listing.

The myth of setting a high price to negotiate: what the data says (and what it costs you)

The myth of setting a high price to negotiate: what the data says (and what it costs you)

Setting a high price to create a negotiation margin doesn't work: it reduces viewings in the first few weeks, which are the ones with the most exposure. Data from idealista shows that 14% of listings are forced to drop their price and that the average cut in Spain is 7%, some 29,390 euros. The buyer filters by price before even seeing the property.

Property Asking Price: How to Set It Correctly in Málaga and the Axarquía (2026 Guide)

Property Asking Price: How to Set It Correctly in Málaga and the Axarquía (2026 Guide)

14% of listings lowered their price in a single quarter, with an average reduction of €29,390. Starting high does not create negotiation margin: it burns through the listing's visibility. A complete technical guide to setting the right asking price in Málaga and the Axarquía.

The 12 most common objections when selling a house (and the technical answer to each)

The 12 most common objections when selling a house (and the technical answer to each)

Most objections to selling a home stem from three beliefs: that it is better to list high to leave room for negotiation, that waiting increases the property's value, and that the value is fixed by what the owner needs to receive. None of these hold up against market data. Responding to them requires real comparables, not commercial arguments.