How does a house sale proceed?
Short answer: A house sale proceeds in ten steps: clarify the goal, gather documents, assess the value, prepare the marketing, approach prospective buyers, hold viewings, check creditworthiness and negotiate, prepare the purchase contract, notarise at the notary, and handle the purchase price, handover and land register re-registration. From preparation to handover this usually takes three to nine months, as of 2026.
For context: Prefabricated House does not sell anything itself and does not place listings. On request, we connect you with vetted contacts (e.g. estate agents in your region) and support you with independent guides — free of charge and without obligation.
The 10 steps at a glance
1. Clarify the sale goal
Decide by when you want to sell and what proceeds are realistic. Clarify ownership, outstanding loans and whether a land charge is still owed.
2. Compile the documents
Obtain the land register extract (Grundbuchauszug), floor plan, living-area calculation, energy certificate (Energieausweis) and other records. Complete documents noticeably shorten the later process.
3. Assess the property value
Determine a robust price range from comparable properties, location and condition. A starting price that is too high prolongs marketing, one that is too low gives away proceeds.
4. Prepare the marketing
Create meaningful photos and a factual property brochure with the most important property data. Decide whether you sell privately or involve an estate agent.
5. Approach prospective buyers
Publish the offer and answer enquiries in a structured way. Filter out serious prospective buyers early to plan viewings efficiently.
6. Conduct viewings
Show the property in good condition and have the energy certificate (Energieausweis) ready. Answer questions about the building fabric, running costs and ongoing contracts openly.
7. Check creditworthiness and negotiate
Ask to see a financing confirmation before entering price negotiations. This avoids failed appointments shortly before the notary.
8. Prepare the purchase contract
The notary drafts the purchase contract based on your data. Review the draft calmly and clarify open points such as the handover date and accessories included in the sale.
9. Notarisation at the notary
Buyer and seller sign the contract at the notary. The priority notice of conveyance, the deletion of old land charges and the due date of the purchase price are then arranged.
10. Purchase price, handover and re-registration
After payment is received, you hand over the property with a protocol and meter readings. The land register is re-registered to the new owner, completing the sale.
Duration per phase: realistic timeframes
The actual duration depends on location, pricing and demand. The following ranges reflect typical progressions (as of 2026); individual phases can overlap.
| Phase | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Preparation and documents | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Valuation and pricing | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Property brochure and marketing start | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Viewings and negotiation | 4 to 12 weeks |
| Notary appointment to handover | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Entire sale (typical range) | 3 to 9 months |
Documents: what you should prepare early
The biggest avoidable loss of time comes from missing documents. Already for the viewing you need the energy certificate (Energieausweis), and for the notary, among other things, the land register extract (Grundbuchauszug) and cadastral map. You should compile these records before you start marketing:
- Land register extract (Grundbuchauszug) and cadastral map
- Floor plan and living-area calculation
- Energy certificate (Energieausweis) – mandatory as early as the viewing
- Records of modernisations and renovations
You will find a complete list, including where the documents come from, in the guide documents for the house sale. If you are selling an undeveloped plot, partly different rules apply — for that read selling a plot. If you are planning a prefabricated house, the overview buying a prefabricated house helps.
Request a vetted estate agent recommendation
Don't want to handle the sale alone? On request, we put you in touch with a vetted contact in your region — free and non-binding. You then decide freely whether and with whom you work.
Request a vetted estate agent recommendationFrequently asked questions about the process
How long does a house sale take on average?
A house sale usually takes three to nine months from preparation to handover, as of 2026. The decisive factors are location, pricing and demand. Complete documents, a realistic price and orderly marketing significantly shorten the process, while scarce offers and price reductions prolong it.
In what order does a property sale proceed?
The property sale begins with clarifying the goal and gathering documents, followed by valuation, the property brochure and marketing. Then come viewings, creditworthiness checks and price negotiation. The conclusion consists of the purchase contract draft, notarial notarisation, payment of the purchase price and handover, plus re-registration of the land register to the new owner.
