Buying or selling a home on the Costa Brava is not just a transaction: it’s a life decision (and often a major investment). That’s why choosing a real estate agency on the Costa Brava shouldn’t be about “who has the most listings” or “who promises to sell in two weeks”, but about who can guide you with clear methods, transparency, and local expertise.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a serious agency should deliver, which signals are reassuring (or red flags), and how to decide with less uncertainty.

1) Real local market knowledge (by micro-area, not generic “Costa Brava” talk)

The Costa Brava is large and highly diverse. Selling a central apartment in a high-demand second-home area is very different from selling a detached house with land in a residential neighbourhood—or an investment property or tourist rental. A good agency should explain:

• What kind of demand dominates your area (local families, international buyers, investors, second-home buyers).

• What sells fast and what sits (and why).

• Realistic price ranges per m² and by property type—not just “asking prices” on portals.

If everything sounds like a generic brochure (“the Costa Brava is amazing”) without specifics, your guidance may be weak.

2) A data-backed valuation and pricing strategy (not gut feeling)

A common mistake is listing too high “just in case”. The result is often fewer viewings, more time on market, and late price drops that hurt momentum.

A professional agency should provide a reasoned valuation, based on:

• Recent comparable sales (or strong near-sale comparables).

• Objective differences (orientation, condition, location, terrace, parking, lift, views, etc.).

• Current market context (supply, demand, seasonality).

And, crucially, a strategy: launch price, negotiation margin, and a review plan if the market doesn’t respond.

3) High-quality property marketing (with a visibility plan)

It’s not enough to “post it on a couple of portals”. You’re competing for attention. A good Costa Brava real estate agency should at minimum handle:

• Great photography (and when needed, video or virtual tours).

• Clear, buyer-focused descriptions—no fluff, no errors.

• Smart portal selection and listing optimisation.

• Distribution to a qualified client database.

• Fast and organised lead management (no losing serious enquiries).

Ask directly: “What exactly will you do to make my property visible?” If the answer is vague, that’s a red flag.

4) Buyer qualification and efficient viewings

An agency that schedules viewings “just to be busy” wastes your time. They should:

• Qualify buyers (needs, budget, timelines).

• Avoid irrelevant viewings (curious visitors, mismatched profiles).

• Host viewings professionally with helpful information.

• Gather feedback and report back clearly after each visit.

Your property isn’t a showroom—it’s an asset that must be presented to the right buyer.

5) Documentation support and risk prevention (no last-minute surprises)

On the Costa Brava—especially with second homes, inheritances, renovations, or tourist rentals—paperwork can derail a deal late in the process. A reliable agency should help you review or prepare:

• Ownership and registry status (note/simple extract).

• Existing charges or legal issues.

• Energy certificate.

• Habitability certificate (when applicable).

• Property tax, community fees, utilities.

• If it’s a tourist rental: status and documentation requirements.

An agency doesn’t replace legal professionals, but it should anticipate issues early.

6) Full transparency on fees and terms

A clear professionalism signal: they explain fees, what’s included, when you pay, and under what conditions—no fine print surprises.

Ask for it in writing and check:

• Exclusive vs non-exclusive agreement (and implications).

• Contract duration.

• Included services.

• Any penalties/commitments.

Trust starts with clarity.

Red flags: signs an agency may not be the right choice

• Promises an unrealistic price without evidence.

• Avoids the fee conversation or stays ambiguous.

• No method—everything is “we’ll see”.

• Doesn’t ask for documents or assess risks.

• Doesn’t qualify buyers and burns your time.

• No reporting, no follow-up, no metrics.

• Pushes you to sign quickly without explaining terms.

Quick checklist to choose a real estate agency on the Costa Brava

1. How do you set the asking price? Which comparables?

2. What’s your exact marketing plan for my property?

3. Who manages viewings and follow-up?

4. How do you vet buyers (budget, financing, timing)?

5. What documents do you need to start?

6. How and how often will you report progress?

7. Do you work in multiple languages for international buyers?

8. What experience do you have in my micro-area and property type?

9. What are your fees and what do they include?

10. If we see no results after X weeks, what actions will we take?

Conclusion: choose guidance, not just intermediation

Choosing a real estate agency on the Costa Brava means choosing how you’ll experience a process that can be exciting… or draining. The difference is often in the invisible details: method, buyer filtering, local expertise, and transparency.

If you’re considering buying or selling, start with a clear conversation: explain your situation, define goals, and confirm there’s a real fit.