Real Estate in Tenerife: Buy and Sell with Local Experts

A real estate agency in Tenerife helps you buy, sell, rent or build a property on the island, handling the part few people see: checking the legal status of the property, negotiating the price and guiding you through the signing at the notary. If you are buying or selling from outside Spain, they also take care of the tax and residency paperwork, which is usually the biggest headache.

At Tu Nido Tenerife, we have been working the south of the island for over twenty years, with our own construction company since 2002 and a team that serves clients in nine languages. This guide explains what to expect from a good agency, how each service works and what to look out for before signing with anyone.

What a real estate agency in Tenerife does (and doesn't)

A serious agency doesn't just show properties. Its job is to protect your money and your time during one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. These are the services you should expect:

• Property sales: search, viewings, negotiation and completion of apartments, villas, chalets and fincas.
• Valuation and sale: setting the real price of your property according to each area's market and matching it with the right buyer.
• Rental management: long-term residential rental or holiday rental with a tourist licence.
• New builds and construction: turnkey projects for when you'd rather build your home than buy one ready-made.
• Legal and tax advice: checking encumbrances, licences, NIE, mortgage and procedures for foreign buyers.

The difference between an agency and a simple listing portal lies in accountability: the agency stands behind what it sells you, reviews the documentation and is there when things get complicated.

Buying a property in Tenerife with a real estate agency

Buying in Tenerife has its own rules, especially in the south, where Canarian residents, Europeans looking for a second home and holiday rental investors all live side by side. The structured process we follow with every client is this:

1. Define your goal: a retirement home and an investment property are not the same thing. The budget, the area and the type of property all depend on your purpose.
2. Selection and viewings: we filter the real market, including properties not yet listed, and arrange viewings that are worth your time.
3. Legal checks: we verify mortgage encumbrances, building licences, habitation certificates and that the seller is who they say they are.
4. Negotiation and signing: we agree on price and terms, prepare the deposit contract and guide you through to the public deed.

If you know what you're looking for, we have an active portfolio of apartments for sale and villas for sale in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and the rest of the south — areas where demand stays high thanks to the beaches, amenities and airport connections.

Selling your home in Tenerife

The most common mistake when selling is setting the wrong price. Too high and the property sits unsold for months; too low and you're giving money away. A real estate agency with real closing data for your area avoids both.

Our work includes professional photography, translated listings to reach international buyers, managing viewings and filtering time-wasters, as well as negotiation and all the paperwork through to the notary. You can start with a free property valuation to see where the market stands.

A tip from over twenty years in the business: the sale price is set by what is closing on your street today, not what the house cost when you bought it or what your neighbour is asking.

Holiday rental management

Tenerife attracts tourists all year round, which makes a second home in the south a genuinely profitable asset. However, holiday rentals are regulated: you need a tourist licence, must comply with Canarian regulations and must manage bookings, cleaning, maintenance and guest communication in several languages.

That daily workload is what burns out most owners who try to go it alone. Our holiday property management service handles the entire cycle, from listing on the portals to handing over the keys, so all you receive is the income. It's the logical choice if your property sits empty for much of the year.

New builds and bespoke construction

This is the difference almost no agency on the island can offer: we build. With our own construction company since 2002, we don't depend on third parties to put up a home from the ground up.

That means if you can't find the home you picture, we design and build it: turnkey, with direct control over quality and timelines, and an aesthetic that respects the Canarian surroundings. For anyone buying land or a plot with potential, being able to buy and build with the same team eliminates middlemen and budget surprises.

How to choose a good real estate agency in Tenerife

The island's market is full of agencies, and not all work the same way. Before signing any agreement, look for these signs:

• Real years of experience: expertise in a market as local as Tenerife's can't be faked. Ask how long they have been operating in your specific area.
• Verifiable reviews: look at Google ratings and previous client feedback, not just what the agency says about itself.
• Transparent fees: the percentage and what it covers must be clear in writing from the start, with no small print.
• Languages and international profile: if the likely buyer is foreign, your agent must be able to speak with them and understand their tax situation.
• Local knowledge: someone who truly knows Costa Adeje, Guía de Isora or Los Cristianos will tell you where not to buy, not just where to.

A good rule of thumb: be wary of anyone who promises you the highest price to win you as a seller and the lowest to sell to someone else. Honesty about price is the first test of a true professional.

Why Tu Nido Tenerife

We are a real estate agency in the south of Tenerife with over twenty years helping families and investors buy, sell and build on the island. What sets us apart is specific:

• Our own construction company since 2002: we buy, sell and build with the same team — something rare on the island.
• Nine languages: we serve clients in Spanish, English and several other languages, because many of our clients come from other European countries.
• South Tenerife specialists: we know Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos and Guía de Isora street by street.
• Full service: buying, selling, holiday rental, new builds and all legal and tax support under one roof.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner buy a property in Tenerife?

Yes. Any foreign national can buy a property in Tenerife without restrictions. You only need an NIE number, a bank account in Spain and, if you are financing, mortgage approval. We handle all those formalities for you.

How much does a real estate agency charge to sell a house in Tenerife?

The standard commission in Canarias is usually between 3% and 5% of the sale price, plus IGIC, and is normally paid by the seller. That percentage covers valuation, marketing, viewings, negotiation and all management through to completion. What matters is that it is set out clearly in writing before you start.

What are the costs of buying a property in Tenerife?

On top of the price, budget around 8% to 10% extra for taxes (ITP on resale properties or IGIC on new builds), notary, land registry and administration. If you are getting a mortgage, add the valuation fee. We prepare a real breakdown for you before you decide.

Which area is best to buy in the south of Tenerife?

It depends on your goal. Costa Adeje is the safest bet for quality and capital growth; Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas perform very well for holiday rental; Guía de Isora offers peace and quiet and more exclusive properties. We guide you based on whether you want to live there, invest or both.

How long does it take to buy a house in Tenerife?

With documentation in order and financing approved, the time from reservation to signing at the notary is typically four to eight weeks. If a mortgage is involved or the seller needs to regularise paperwork, the timeline extends. Our job is to make sure it doesn't stall due to avoidable surprises.

Start your purchase or sale today

Buying, selling or building in Tenerife goes far better with someone who genuinely knows the island and stands behind their work. Tell us your idea and we will give you an honest answer on what is possible and what is not. Browse our available properties using the search tool or get in touch to talk through your project: at Tu Nido Tenerife we are with you from start to finish.