Selling your home is a significant negotiation. Moreover, it’s a legal process that requires compliance with numerous laws and government regulations.
Personal Identification Document
The Personal Identification Document (DPI) is the credential for Guatemalan citizens and resident foreigners. It is issued by the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and is necessary for any legal or fiscal procedure, including the sale of a house. Non-resident foreigners will need their passport.
Property Title
Also known as a Public Deed, this document certifies your ownership of the property and, consequently, your authority to sell it. This procedure is carried out before a notary public and is often required to process other requirements. Lastly, verify that the information on the property title matches your identification document.
Spouse’s Consent
If you’re selling a property and you are married, you will need written consent from your spouse. This entails signing a legal document indicating their awareness of the sale and their agreement with it.
Paid Tax Receipts
As a property owner, you must pay the Annual Unique Property Tax (IUSI) each year. To process the sale of your home, it’s necessary to be up to date with these payments and have the corresponding receipts.
First, obtain the respective form from the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) or their website. Then, complete it with the required information and calculate the tax cost based on the cadastral value of the property. You can make the payment at an authorized bank agency or at SAT offices. Always remember to keep the receipt.
Property Registration Certificate
This is a legal document that certifies ownership of real estate and verifies its location, size, and boundaries. It also proves that the property doesn’t have mortgages or other pending debts associated with it. You can obtain it from the General Property Registry, the entity responsible for maintaining the list of real estate properties in the country.
To obtain this certificate, follow these steps:
Access the application form at the General Property Registry’s offices or on their website.
Fill out all the required fields with accurate information about the property and the owner.
Submit the form at the RGP office along with the requested paperwork, which usually includes municipal tax receipts, a copy of the deed, and your DPI.
Pay the corresponding fee for issuing the property registration certificate. The exact amount varies depending on the property’s value.
Wait for the document to be issued, which may take a few business days.
Current Appraisal
The appraisal provides a professional evaluation of your home’s value. This document may be required by buyers, used in price negotiations, and help calculate the related taxes. It can be cadastral, commercial, or fiscal, as long as it’s conducted by an authorized expert.
Notarized Powers
If the owner uses an agent to negotiate on their behalf or cannot be present during the deed signing, it’s necessary to grant a notarized power of attorney to allow the legal representative to proceed with the transaction.
As you can see, most of these requirements are easy to obtain and shouldn’t take too much time to gather. If you’re planning to sell your house, it’s a good idea to prepare the necessary documents well in advance to avoid last-minute rushing.
Keep in mind that these requirements may vary depending on the property’s location and individual circumstances.
Finally, working with a lawyer specialized in real estate transactions will ensure that all your documents are in order when selling your home.
