Selling an apartment is a complex process that requires careful planning, documentation preparation, and compliance with legal procedures. Whether you are selling an apartment independently or with the help of an agency, it is important to understand all the steps to avoid potential problems and ensure a successful transaction.
📋 Steps in the apartment selling process:
- Property valuation
- Before entering the market, it is necessary to determine the real market value of your apartment.
- You can engage an appraiser or consult with a real estate agency.
- Take into account: location, square footage, condition of the apartment, floor, furnishings, parking space...
- Documentation preparation
- Property sheet (cadastral extract)
- Proves that you are the owner and that the property has no encumbrances (mortgage, pledge rights)
- Proof of ownership (purchase agreement, inheritance decision, gift deed...)
- Certified statement of all co-owners if any
- Spouse's consent if the apartment was purchased during marriage
- Tax certificate (that there are no debts to the state for the property)
- Certificate of paid utilities (electricity, gas, water, heating)
- Technical documentation (project, use permit, if available)
- Building management certificate (that there are no outstanding debts)
- Property sheet (cadastral extract)
- Decision on the method of sale
- Independent sale – you advertise, negotiate, and organize viewings yourself
- Sale through an agency – professionals take over advertising, finding buyers, legal formalities for a fee (commission 2-4%)
- Property advertising
- High-quality photographs of the apartment
- Detailed description with all relevant information
- Publishing ads on popular real estate portals (Halo Oglasi, KupujemProdajem, Nekretnine.rs, 4zida...)
- Promotion on social networks
- Viewings and negotiations
- Organizing viewing appointments with interested buyers
- Negotiating price and payment terms
- Checking buyers' seriousness (do they have the necessary funds, do they need a loan, urgency of purchase...)
- Pre-contract agreement (optional but recommended)
- After agreement, parties sign a pre-contract
- Buyer pays a deposit (usually 10% of the value)
- This obligates both parties to conclude the main contract
- The pre-contract can be notarized for legal security
- Conclusion of the purchase agreement
- The purchase agreement is drawn up in writing
- Certified by a public notary in the presence of both parties
- The contract states:
- Details of the parties
- Exact description of the property (address, area, floor...)
- Purchase price
- Payment method (cash, loan, installments...)
- Deadline for vacating/handing over the apartment
💰 Payment and ownership transfer
- Payment
- Cash – reported through the bank to prevent money laundering
- Cashless – payment through bank or check
- Mortgage loan – buyer approved for a loan, bank pays funds to seller
- Registration in the property cadastre
- After the certified contract, the buyer submits a request for registration of ownership rights
- Required documents: certified contract, proof of fee payment, personal documents
- Registration in the cadastre is done within 15 working days
- Only after registration, the buyer becomes the official owner
💵 Apartment selling costs
- Tax on transfer of absolute rights – paid by the buyer (2.5% of the property value)
- Notary certification of the contract – divided between buyer and seller (about 1% of the apartment price + VAT)
- Agency commission (if engaged) – usually 2-4%, paid by seller or buyer, depending on agreement
- Tax certificate and other certificates – minimal costs (a few hundred to a thousand dinars)
- Capital gains tax – if the seller has not been the owner for more than 10 years and if the price is higher than the purchase price (15% on the difference)
⚠️ Important tips for sellers
- ✅ Check that you have no debts (utilities, electricity, taxes...)
- ✅ Be realistic with the price – overpriced properties prolong the process
- ✅ Prepare the apartment – neat, clean, and neutrally designed attracts buyers
- ✅ Work with professionals – agencies and notaries protect your interests
- ✅ Keep all documents – for possible audit or dispute
- ✅ Beware of fraud – verify buyers' identity and avoid suspicious offers
- ✅ Do not sign anything you have not read and understood
⏱️ Process duration
✔ Average time to sell an apartment in Belgrade is 2-6 months, depending on:
- Location and attractiveness of the property
- Market situation
- Price
- Quality of advertising
- Buyers' readiness
✔ The legal part itself (from pre-contract to cadastral registration) can take 1-2 months.
🏢 Why choose a real estate agency?
- ✅ Expertise and experience – they know the procedures and avoid mistakes
- ✅ Greater visibility – professional advertising on multiple channels
- ✅ Buyer verification – filtering out unserious or suspicious offers
- ✅ Legal security – they help with documentation, contracts, and registration
- ✅ Time saving – they organize viewings, negotiations, and the entire process
- ✅ Objective assessment – they help determine the realistic price
📞 Contact Us
If you are planning to sell an apartment in Belgrade or anywhere in Serbia, our agency Real Estate Tukodi is at your disposal. We provide a complete service – from property valuation, advertising, finding buyers, to legal regulation and handing over the apartment.
Call us and schedule a free consultation with our agents!