How to sell a property in Germany: the complete process
9 min read · Updated 2026-06-01
From valuation to the notary appointment: every step, every document and the typical timeline when selling a property in Germany.
1. Determine value and gather documents
A sale starts with a realistic valuation. Anchor it to the €/m² level of comparable properties in your location and adjust for condition, year built and fit-out.
Gather the mandatory documents early: an up-to-date land register extract (Grundbuchauszug), cadastral map, floor plans, living-area calculation, the energy certificate, and for apartments the declaration of division (Teilungserklärung) plus recent owners' meeting minutes.
2. Pricing strategy and marketing
An over-ambitious asking price is the most common mistake — homes that linger on the market often sell for less in the end. Set the asking price close to realistic market value and build demand with professional photos, floor plans and a strong listing (Exposé).
Decide whether to sell discreetly (off-market) to pre-registered buyers or broadly via portals. Both work — what matters is the quality of the interested parties, not their number.
3. Viewings, negotiation and the notary
After viewings and a check of the buyer's financing, price negotiation follows. Once the buyer is confirmed, one party instructs a notary to draft the purchase contract — notarisation is mandatory in Germany.
At the notary appointment the contract is read out and signed. A priority notice (Auflassungsvormerkung) is then registered, the purchase price is paid, and the sale completes once ownership is transferred in the land register. Expect roughly 3–6 months from start to handover.
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