Selling a property on your own sounds tempting for many owners – after all, you don’t have to pay an estate agent’s commission. However, those who sell without an estate agent have to invest a lot of time and overcome hurdles – from a realistic valuation to contract negotiations.
Time, know-how and law: challenges in private sales
A property is not sold “on the side”. As a private seller, you take on all the tasks yourself – which can take months. You have to place advertisements, take appealing photos, write an exposé, answer inquiries and coordinate viewing appointments – often in the evenings or at weekends. In rural areas, prospective buyers are usually even harder to find.
In addition to time, a private sale also requires expertise. The asking price must be realistic – without sound market knowledge, you run the risk of overestimating or underestimating the value of the property, which can be expensive. The owner is also responsible for all legal steps: from the energy performance certificate and the property documents to the notary appointment. Errors or omissions in the purchase contract – such as forgotten defects – can have serious consequences.
Broker service: What tasks does the professional take on?
An experienced real estate agent will do a lot of the work for you. They will realistically determine the market value and take care of marketing on all important channels – from professional photos and an informative exposé to advertisements on major portals. The estate agent is also responsible for looking after potential buyers and arranging viewings. Thanks to their negotiating skills, a good estate agent often achieves the best possible price.
The estate agent also takes care of all the formalities. He will obtain the necessary documents, check the creditworthiness of potential buyers and accompany you to the notary appointment and the handover of the keys. This means there is hardly any work for you and everything runs smoothly.
Cost-benefit analysis: Is the broker’s commission worth it?
Estate agent costs are not insignificant: typically around 5-7% of the purchase price, usually split equally between buyer and seller. You save this amount without an estate agent. However, when selling privately, you often have to wait longer for a buyer or accept a lower price. It is not unusual for a good estate agent to achieve a higher selling price, which more than makes up for the commission.
Many prospective buyers look for “commission-free” and hope for a lower price. As a private seller, you can use the savings on the estate agent’s fee as a bargaining chip. On the other hand, many buyers appreciate the professional handling by an estate agent. Ultimately, it depends on how much time, knowledge and commitment you can bring to the table yourself – and whether the savings outweigh the advantages of an estate agent.
Are you wavering between a private sale and hiring an estate agent? Let’s discuss what we can do for you without obligation. Contact us – we will explain our services transparently and show you how we can achieve the best possible price for your property. This way, you can sell your property in a relaxed and successful manner.
Notes
The generic masculine is used in this text to improve readability. Female and other gender identities are explicitly included where this is necessary for the statement.
Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific individual case.
Photo: © Wordliner/Image created with OpenAI’s Sora
MKT_VER_8
