Checklist: for the optimal house sale

Selling a property quickly and at a fair market price requires careful consideration of many factors. What experienced real estate agents handle flawlessly is often a complex undertaking for laypeople. Sellers frequently struggle to determine the true value of their property and the optimal pricing strategy. Often, essential sales documents are missing, or sellers enter price negotiations unprepared. Our checklist will help you stay on top of everything.

Before the property sale

• Is now the right time to sell your property?
• What is the current value of my property?
• What proceeds do I want to achieve from the sale of my property?
• What is the maximum permissible length for the sales process?
• Are there any taxes to be paid when I sell my property?

Documents

• Land register extract
• Cadastral map
• Does a current energy performance certificate need to be applied for, or is one already available?
• Floor plans
• Living space calculations
• Evidence of renovation and modernization measures
• Building insurance
• Current tenant list
• Balance deposit list
• Operating cost statements for the last two years
• The last three minutes of the owners' meeting
• Are there any additional documents relevant to the sale, and where can I obtain them?

Preparing the property

• Perform cosmetic repairs
• Consider performing home staging
• Professional real estate photos taken

Marketing of the property

• How much time should I plan for marketing the property?
• Do I have the necessary time to market my property?
• What costs will I incur for marketing purposes?
• Which is the appropriate target group?
• Where and how do I reach my target audience?
• What is the best strategy for setting the asking price?
• Creation of a professional exposé
• Answer inquiries from prospective buyers and arrange viewing appointments
• Conduct viewing appointments
• When do I have time for viewings? Weekends? Weekdays?
• What should I pay attention to during the viewing?
• What information do I need to provide to potential customers? Are there any defects?
• How do I deal with potential customers?
• What questions might interested parties ask?
• How do I obtain purchase offers?
• How do I negotiate with potential customers?
• How do I achieve my desired selling price?
• How do I choose the right buyer?
• How do I check the creditworthiness of potential buyers?
• What should I do if the financing falls through?
• When do I inform the other interested parties that they are not interested?

Sales process

• Who takes care of the notary?
• What needs to be included in the purchase contract?
• Can additional agreements be included in the purchase contract?
• What legal risks exist?
• How will the purchase price be paid? Through a notary escrow account? Direct bank transfer?
• When and how does the property handover take place?
• What should be included in the handover protocol?

Are you looking for support with the sale of your property? Contact us! We would be happy to advise you.

Notes

For the sake of readability, this text uses the generic masculine form. Female and other gender identities are explicitly included where relevant to the statement.

Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice for any specific case. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your individual situation.

Photo: © Noppadol/Depositphotos.com