Engel & Völkers Licence Partner Ascona > Blog > Selling property yourself: is it really that simple?

Selling property yourself: is it really that simple?

Selling an apartment or house isn’t difficult at all! Or is it? Many people think that they can sell a property themselves and save on estate agent fees. Read on to find out everything you need to know.


First and foremost, planning is the be-all and end-all when it comes to selling your property! Especially if you plan to sell your property without the help of a professional, you need to be well prepared and aware of the main obstacles. Only then will you be able to sell your property quickly and at the best price.


1. The correct property value

Although property prices have fallen slightly in some regions, they are still at a high level. So it’s not surprising that sellers want to list their property at the highest possible price. But this is a mistake. If you list your apartment or house at too high a price, you run the risk of the listing remaining on the market for too long. If this happens, you’ll be forced to correct the price downwards, which in turn will have a negative impact on your credibility. By contrast, if you list at too low a price, you may be able to sell it more quickly, but you won’t get the best possible price and will lose a lot of money. This is why it is so important to determine the correct value of your property. You can do this using online calculators or with the help of an on-site professional. Both property valuation options are free of charge.


2. Complete and professional sales documentation

You can only enter into sales negotiations with prospective buyers with confidence if you have all your sales documents in order. This is why sales documentation is so crucial. It should clearly specify all the key details of the property and its surroundings and include the floor plans, the site plan and the terms of sale. You also need targeted copy and professional images to spark the interest of potential buyers. Professional home staging can also be worthwhile.


3. Viewings, negotiations and signing the contract

Anyone who has ever sold a property knows how time-consuming it can be to organise viewings. At this stage of the sale, it is particularly important to appear professional, demonstrate negotiation skills and generate interest. If someone wants to buy your property, you should have a pre-prepared reservation agreement outlining the terms of the sale. The sales contract will then be drawn up by the notary, and both parties will receive an appointment for signing it.


4. The best possible price

The goal of selling a property is not only to find the right buyers, but also to get the best possible price. This requires good negotiation skills, specialist knowledge of the real estate market in general and being able to present the property’s advantages in the best light.


Lots of people want to save on commission for an estate agent and sell their property themselves. They fail to consider how complex and time-consuming the whole process is. As a result, those who have no experience selling property often end up losing more money and investing a lot of time and nerves that could have been saved. That’s why it’s always advisable to leave the sale of your property to a professional. In most cases, professionals can negotiate a better price, which will at least partially cover the cost of the commission.


You’ll also save yourself a lot of time and stress if you put the sale in professional hands right from the start.

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We know the true value of your property

Do you know how much your property is currently worth? No matter if you just want to inform yourself about the current market-price, or if you wish to sell your property for the best price: our experienced marketing experts are happy to assist you with a free and non-binding valuation.

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