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Selling real estate. How to do it step by step

Property owners can sell their property with or without an estate agent. The first steps in selling a property are to compile the relevant documents, optimize the property for sale, and set the sale price. After that, it is important to market the property through real estate advertisements, respond to inquiries, and arrange viewings. During subsequent sales talks and price negotiations, important details then determine the success of the property sale. Finally, the sale process is completed by clarifying the contract with the notary, scheduling the notarization appointment, and handing over the sold property. We have compiled the individual steps of selling a property for you.

Close-up of a small house miniature and a succulent holding down the edge of a building plan on a table, while in the background a couple sitting on the couch in front of the plan ponder over a document
In the foreground, a real estate agent is shown holding a tablet with a floor plan in one hand and holding up an apartment key with the other, while in the background an arm-in-arm couple contentedly look at the open kitchen they are standing halfway inside

Deciding for or against a real estate agent when selling property

As soon as homeowners want to sell a property, the decision for or against an estate agent should be made before any other preparations begin. Those who wish to use real estate agents or similar service providers can benefit from the support of experts right from the first steps of selling their property until the sale is completed. Sellers first arrange a consultation appointment with a real estate agency to discuss selling their property. During this appointment, the parties involved clarify how real estate agents will help the owners with the upcoming tasks in detail.
A stack of documents on a white table, with the individual documents held together with colorful clips, and another stack of documents lying next to it

Compilation of the necessary documents relating to the property

To ensure that the sale goes smoothly, homeowners must first compile all the necessary documents relating to the property. In addition to the land register extract, comprehensive information from the building file is essential when selling a property. The floor plan, for example, is particularly important, and many property sellers have it optimized by Hamburger Grundriss Schmiede before selling their property. At the same time, owners provide an overview of ancillary costs, insurance documents, and the energy performance certificate. Photos of the property and lists of past modernization and renovation measures are also important.
A tradesman works on floor panels in an empty room with a drill, its case lying next to him, and a wooden sawhorse with a tape measure on it standing a step further away

Preparing the property for a successful sale

When selling real estate, owners make the property as attractive as possible, for example, by cleaning and maintaining it. If there are any defects, repair work involving complete refurbishment increases the chances of selling. Before selling their property, private sellers can hire professional service providers to tidy up the property and clean the premises thoroughly.
Close-up of two hands — one entering information into a form with a ballpoint pen, the other typing numbers into a calculator

Determining the selling price of a property with valuation

When selling real estate, property owners set a selling price at an early stage. A comprehensive valuation by commissioned experts, for whom defect lists are an important factor, for example, is helpful in this regard. It makes sense to allow for room for negotiation and to take into account the purchasing power of potential real estate buyers in the individual region.
A man with an exaggeratedly astonished facial expression reads something in a real estate newspaper that he holds up in front of him with both hands

Design and publication of advertisements for selling real estate

By designing and publishing appealing advertisements on a platform with sufficient reach, property owners can draw the attention of interested parties to their sales offers. To do this, it is first necessary to create an advertisement text and a property description. With professional help, it is possible to create particularly motivating texts. In addition to internet platforms, newspapers are also suitable for publishing real estate advertisements.
A real estate agent stands with two prospective buyers in front of a house entrance, explaining something to them while they listen attentively and thoughtfully

Selling real estate: Responding appropriately to initial inquiries about the property

Ideally, owners should respond promptly and appropriately to initial inquiries in order to sell a property as quickly and successfully as possible. Real estate sellers can prepare suitable answers in advance for typical and expected questions when selling a property. It is then important to remain available at all times via the telephone number and other contact details provided in the property advertisement.
Close-up of a real estate agent sitting at a desk, stamping several documents on a clipboard with a large stamp

Preparing for viewings with potential property buyers

Homeowners prepare just as thoroughly for visits from potential buyers. During a viewing, it is important to clearly highlight the advantages of the property. When selling a property, it is also necessary to have suitable answers to questions about any defects in the property. In addition, sellers print out informative documents in preparation for the viewing so that they can present clear facts to interested parties during the tour of the property.
A real estate agent sits at a desk with prospective buyers, explaining the documents lying in front of them

Conducting a successful sales pitch with prospective buyers

As soon as interested target groups show serious interest in the property on offer, real estate agents or experienced homeowners take individual purchase motives into account during sales talks. This is because individuals, couples, and families often have very different reasons for buying a property. Accordingly, in various individual cases, it may make sense to emphasize either the tranquility of the area or the family-friendliness of a house when selling real estate. During the conversation, it is crucial for success to react dispassionately and objectively.
A real estate agent sits at a desk with some documents on it, facing a smiling couple, and shakes the man's hand

Price negotiations with significant consideration time and possible negotiation bonus

When purchase offers are made, home sellers usually ask for time to consider. This gives them the opportunity to prepare any counteroffers for the sale of the property. In addition, the time requested often allows them to obtain attractive offers from other interested parties. Sometimes, property owners benefit from offering potential buyers additional furnishings or other negotiating bonuses when selling their property.
An older woman sits at a desk making handwritten notes about a floor plan shown on her screen

Clarification of the details for the purchase agreement with the notary

Once a sale price has been agreed upon, it is essential that all details are clarified with the notary in order to draw up the purchase agreement. The lawyer responsible will be informed in detail about all agreements between the previous property owner and the buyer. When selling a property, it is important to provide the notary with all the required and relevant documents relating to the property being sold. Land registry data and important details about the property must also be included in the purchase agreement.
A person sits at a wooden desk stamping stapled documents on a clipboard

Sell your property without any unanswered questions at the notarization appointment

In order to ensure that the notarization of a property sale goes smoothly, sellers, buyers, and notaries should arrange a suitable appointment with the notary at an early stage. The notarization appointment is a key prerequisite for the transfer of ownership to be effective and for the payment terms and deadlines to be legally binding. To ensure that no unresolved issues jeopardize the successful completion of the sale, all parties involved review the entire draft contract in great detail in advance. However, detailed questions that are not likely to cause disputes can still be clarified during the notarization appointment. With the signatures of the previous and new owners, the sale of the property becomes effective after notarization by the notary.
Close-up of a front door key handover

Handover of the sold property to the new owner

The final step in selling a property is the handover. Even if the sale of the property has already been legally completed, previous owners benefit from a thorough approach. When selling a property, real estate sellers hand over all relevant documents relating to the property to the new owners. In addition to construction drawings, these include, for example, insurance documents and the energy performance certificate. In a handover report, the former property owner records which documents and keys the buyer has received when selling the property.
A woman raises her arms triumphantly in front of a window front, hands clenched into fists, looking very happy

Conclusion: Preparing to sell your property is the key to success at every stage

Comprehensive preparation at every stage is the key to success, especially when private sellers with no experience are selling a property. Detailed knowledge of the property and consideration of the buyer's motives make it easier for the previous owners to convince potential buyers. Even after agreeing on a sale price, there is no alternative to having all the special features of a property and specific agreements documented by a notary. As long as complete documentation on the property is available, a successful sale is less complicated. Homeowners who want to be ideally prepared for selling their property should have the floor plan of the property optimized by Grundriss Schmiede in Hamburg now!

All information has been compiled to the best of our knowledge. However, we cannot accept liability for the details.

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Selling real estate. How to do it step by step | Grundriss Schmiede