Who Can You Trust? Navigating Relationships in the Marbella Property Market

Buying property is never just about square meters, location and views. It’s also about people.

In Marbella, where the market is dynamic, fast-moving and (let's be honest) loosely regulated, this becomes even more important. Whether you're buying a second home or investing for long-term gain, you're not just choosing a property – you're choosing who to trust.

Marbella heart in Nueva Andalucia

Trust Isn’t Black or White

Let’s start here: not all agents are good or bad. Not all developers are trustworthy or shady. And not every buyer is naïve or sophisticated.

Trust in Marbella real estate isn’t binary.

It lives in the grey zone: in how people behave, communicate, follow up (or don’t), and how transparent they are when things don’t go exactly to plan.

That’s why the real question isn’t "Who can you trust?" – but rather:

"How do you build trust, and with whom?"

What to Look for in a Trusted Partner

Whether you’re working with an agent, lawyer, builder or property advisor

– here are some qualities we believe matter:

• Transparency over sales talk. Do they tell you what you need to hear, or just what you want to hear?

• Follow-through. Do they do what they say they will? Consistently?

• Experience with nuance. Can they explain the grey areas, the risks, the community rules and the unspoken dynamics of a neighbourhood?

• Willingness to collaborate. Do they play well with others, or are they territorial and transactional?

• Do they ask questions. Or do they just talk. Agents love to talk. Good agents also asks questions – and listens.

• Do they answer questions. Do they answer even though the subject might be tricky to handle, or do they go mute? In case you were wondering – mute is not a good thing...

  
  

What We’re Learning (and Building)

I’m still new in Marbella.

After 25+ years in the real estate industry in Norway, I relocated here with a strong foundation – but also a very open mindset.

I didn’t come here to "teach the market" how to work. I came here to learn how it works. And more importantly: to find the people who are doing it right.

Already, I’ve met agents, advisors and craftsmen who are outstanding. Not just because of what they deliver – but because of how they operate. They are the ones who communicate clearly, honour their word, and care about their reputation long-term.

These are the people we seek to partner with at 63ºNO.

What Clients Should Expect

If you’re buying in Marbella, you’ll meet many people who want to help you. Some are excellent. Some... less so.

The best thing you can do is slow down and ask better questions:

• Who are they really representing?

• Are they open about limitations or challenges?

• Can they point to a team or network that complements their expertise?

  
  

Trustworthy professionals usually won’t promise you everything. But they will offer you something far more valuable: honesty, structure, and clarity.

How We Try to Earn It

At 63ºNO, we don’t pretend to know everything. But we work hard to:

• Be transparent when we do not know something

• Connect with people who do

• Follow up professionally

• Protect our clients from surprises

  
  

In a market where everyone "knows a guy," we believe trust is not given – it’s built, step by step.

Final Thought

If you’re new to Marbella, wondering who to trust – you’re not alone.

My advice?

Don’t look for perfect.

Look for consistent.

Look for calm under pressure.

Look for alignment between words and actions.

And if you ever want an honest conversation before you buy, or just want to sense-check what someone told you – We're here.

Let’s build the right relationships, from day one.

Sunset in Aloha, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, Spain