How to list your home for sale in Colombia

Putting a home on the market is more than uploading a few photos. A well-made listing, at the right price and with the paperwork ready, sells faster and with less haggling. This guide takes you through each step.

1. Set the price

Price is the first thing a buyer looks at, and the most common reason a property doesn't sell. To set it:

• Look for similar properties in your own neighbourhood or complex: same type, similar size and condition. Compare the price per square metre.
• Adjust for what makes yours different: floor, view, parking, renovations, age.
• If you need a formal figure, a certified appraiser can produce a market valuation (avalúo comercial).
• Leave a small margin to negotiate, but don't list far above the market: overpriced listings get few visits and go stale.

2. Prepare the property and take good photos

• Tidy, clean and remove personal items. Fix the small things: bulbs, dripping taps, paint.
• Shoot in daylight, curtains open and lights on, in landscape format.
• Cover every space: front, living room, kitchen, each bedroom, bathrooms, shared areas and the view.
• Lead with the best photo. It is the one shown in search results and when the link is shared.

3. Write a clear listing

The title should say what it is and where: "Apartment for sale in Chicó, Bogotá". In the description, cover what photos can't show: light, noise, access to main roads, schools and shops, the monthly building fee and the condition of the property. Be exact about area, bedrooms, bathrooms, parking and estrato. Wrong details only bring wasted visits.

4. Have the documents ready

A serious buyer will ask to see the certificate of title (certificado de tradición y libertad) almost at once. Having a recent one, with the tax clearances, builds trust and speeds things up. The full list is in Documents you need to sell property in Colombia.

5. List it

On LuxuryHomes.com.co you can list in two ways:

• As an owner: sign up, fill in the property form and upload your ID and the certificate of title. Once we have checked them, your listing shows as "Verified owner".
• Through an agency or a realtor: they list and handle enquiries for you. You can find verified agencies and realtors on the portal.

When you fill in the form, place the pin on the map: buyers search by area.

6. Handle the enquiries

• Reply the same day. Many buyers write to several listings and visit the first one that answers.
• Before showing the property, confirm by phone what the person is looking for and whether they have financing approved or their own funds.
• Group viewings into one or two days a week.
• Once you agree, you sign a promise of sale and then the deed at a notary. The costs are explained in Closing costs in Colombia.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a home take to sell?

It depends on price, city and the state of the market. A well-presented property at market price usually gets enquiries in the first weeks; if a month goes by with none, review the price and the photos.

Can I sell if the property has a mortgage?

Yes. Usually the sale proceeds pay off the bank and the mortgage is cancelled in the same deed or beforehand. Ask the bank for the balance and tell the buyer from the start.

What do I do once it's sold?

Mark the property as "Under contract" when you accept an offer and as "Sold" when it closes, so people stop writing to you.