Another very important factor in the Property market is selling your property. This can also become a stressful experience, and an amount of preparation should be done before putting the property on the market.

Pricing

The most important factor is the pricing of the property. It is extremely important to put the property on the market for a fair price, only inflating a couple of percentage points to have space for negotiation. If the price is right, the client will know it and will not miss a deal just because he did not slash hundreds off your price. Have a look at other properties on the market to get a rough idea of the values of other similar houses, but always keep in mind that is not the price the property is advertised with which is important, but the price for which it is really sold. The biggest mistake is to exaggerate the price in the hope of finding a ‘one-off client’, only to lose months of useless advertising, and be forced to decrease the price later on and in the process showing people on the market that you have failed to sell.

Property Agencies

Why should you use property agents / brokers?

·          give you a professional and realistic valuation of your property – they work on property everyday and know exactly what is in the market.

·          give you valuable tips to have your house at it’s most attractive.

·          filter clients and save you the nightmare of tens of time-wasters in the market.

·          advertise your property on leading newspapers, magazines and promote their website which we will be seen by thousands of people locally and abroad.

·          Include you on their website with photos and a good description of your property – attracting only interested buyers to view your property.

Why Uno Properties?

We only charge a nominal fee which enables you to keep the price competitive and lower than your competitor selling his property through an agent. It is a common occurrence for sales to be sold for a few hundreds liri, a scenario which would be avoided if the client has been introduced by Uno Properties.

On many occasions the buyers on the market will contact all the available properties in their budget in the locations they are interested in. Therefore we do get the same clients looking at the same property at a different price. List your property only with us for a couple of months and wait for our results!!

Selling Procedures

Selling procedures are extremely simple and safe. Once you have found a buyer for your property and sale price, terms and conditions have been agreed upon, you sign a Promise of Sale Agreement with the buyer. This agreement, which is drawn up by the Notary, binds both parties until the signing of the final deed of sale. On signing the Preliminary Agreement a 10% deposit, on account of the price, is normally lodged with the Notary or the Estate Agent by the buyers. This deposit will be forfeited in your favour should the buyer fail to sign the final deed for no valid reason at law.

The term of validity of the agreement is agreed between the parties, however, usually agreements are valid for three months. During this period, the Notary will register the Preliminary Agreement in terms of law, carry out searches into the title and apply for any permits if necessary.

There are no restrictions on owners to sell their property at any price. Mainly in the case of foreign nationals, the entire sale price including sale proceeds of movables may be repatriated abroad, in which case, the Notary would apply for clearance from the local tax authorities, prior to signing the final deed of sale.

Capital Gains Tax

 Tax on capital gains may be charged on the sale of the immovable property.

If the property is sold within 5 years from date of acquisition, the vendor has the option to choose to be taxed (1) a capital gains tax based on gains realised after taking into consideration the cost of purchase and sale, as well as any improvements carried out on the property or (2) a final withholding tax equivalent to 12% of the sale price of the immovable property.

If the property has been owned by the vendor for a period exceeding 5 years, Capital Gains Tax is charged at a final withholding tax rate of 12% of the sale price of the immovable property.

Capital gains tax is not charged when the property being transferred has been the owner’s own residence for at least 3 consecutive years immediately preceding the date of transfer and has been disposed of within 12 months of vacating the property.

Capital gains tax on the sale of the property acquired through inheritance (Causa Mortis) is charged at the rate of 12% on the excess of the transfer value over the acquisition value as declared in the deed of Causa Mortis. If the property was inherited before the 25th November 1992, the rate of tax will be equivalent to 7% of the transfer value.

In cases where Capital Gains may be due, we may with the assistance of our Tax Consultants apply to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for a reduction in the tax due, through the submission of the relative tax return and a detailed account of all expenses incurred in the acquisition and sale of the property.