Tasks
What happens between listing and notary
- A realistic valuation – on site, not just with an online calculator
- Complete documents: land register extract, cadastral map, energy certificate, floor plans, living space calculation and, for apartments, the owners’ association documents
- An exposé and photos that show your property properly
- Screening enquiries, organising viewings, checking financing, negotiating and preparing the notary appointment
Obligations
Obligations for private sellers too
- Energy certificate: key figures must appear in the advert (Section 87 GEG); the certificate must be shown at the viewing at the latest (Section 80 GEG).
- Defects: liability is usually excluded in the contract, but you remain liable for defects you know of and conceal (Section 444 BGB).
Important: we are estate agents, not lawyers or tax advisers. This is general information without guarantee (as of November 2026). Please clarify legal questions about your sale with the notary or a lawyer.
Costs
What an agent costs – and who pays
For houses and apartments sold to private buyers, the commission has been split equally between seller and buyer since December 2020 if both commission the agent (Section 656c BGB). The commission saved is often smaller than expected – and a wrong price can quickly cost more.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the notary?
Notary and land register costs are usually paid by the buyer, as is the real estate transfer tax of 6% in Hesse.
Your sale with a plan
Privately or with us: we show you what matters for your property.