A detailed guide from WENET AG
Selling a property is one of the most important financial decisions in life. But before the actual sales process begins, owners are often faced with the question: Should I buy my property with a
Estate agent or private sale?
Both approaches have clear advantages - but also risks that are easily underestimated. We take an objective look at both approaches, point out typical pitfalls and help you make the right decision for your personal situation.
1. the initial situation: What does it mean to sell without an estate agent?
The private sale appears attractive at first glance:
- There is no estate agent's commission
- You retain full control
- You know your own property best
But selling a property means much more than just publishing an advert on a platform. Owners have to acquire skills in a short space of time that would otherwise take trained property professionals years to develop:
- Market knowledge & correct valuation
- Professional marketing and buyer qualification
- Conducting negotiations
- legally watertight preparation
- Organisation of tours
- Risk and liability management
A lack of experience in one of these areas can significantly affect the selling price, the duration or even the legal certainty of the sale.
2. the advantage of broker sales: expertise, security and time savings
An experienced estate agent does much more than just advertise a property. The most important services include
2.1 Professional valuation
Pricing is the decisive factor for success.
Too high a price leads to a „dead“ offer, too low a price leads to losses - often in the five-digit range.
Use brokers:
- Comparative analyses
- Regional market data
- Professional valuation methods
This is how a Realistic offer price in line with the market defined.
2.2 Premium marketing
High-quality presentation measures are necessary to make the property stand out:
- Professional property photography
- Video/drone recordings
- virtual 3D tour
- Emotionally designed exposés
- Listing on all relevant platforms
- Targeted buyer segmentation
This area in particular shows the biggest difference between amateurs and professionals - and often determines the sales period and the prices realised.
2.3 Buyer qualification & conducting negotiations
A good estate agent pre-filters prospective buyers:
- Credit assessment
- Motivation and seriousness
- Financing capability
He also conducts negotiations with experience, neutrality and psychological skill - a major advantage when it comes to purchase price discounts or contract details.
2.4 Legally compliant processing
From missing documents to incorrect information:
Most liability problems arise with private sales.
Brokers ensure that:
- all relevant documents are obtained
- no legal information missing
- the buyer is correctly informed
- Notary appointments are professionally prepared
This reduces risks and speeds up the sales process considerably.
3. where private sales can be useful
Despite many advantages, a real estate agent is not absolutely necessary in every situation. A private sale can make sense if:
- the property to acquaintances, friends or relatives is sold
- Owner Sufficient time, local proximity, organisational talent and market knowledge
- it is a Very simple or highly sought-after property trades
- the pricing is clear (e.g. new construction, clear comparative values)
But even in these cases, many sellers opt for professional assistance in certain areas - such as photos, valuation or contract preparation.
4 Typical risks in private property sales
❗ Wrong pricing strategy
The most common cause of price losses is incorrectly estimated market values.
❗ Unqualified interested parties
Time wasters, viewing tourists or unaffordable buyers are a major problem.
❗ Legal pitfalls
Incorrect information can lead to claims for damages - even years after the sale.
❗ Poor marketing
Unfavourable photos or incomplete advertisements reduce the perceived value.
❗ Emotional overload
Tough negotiations or critical questions cause many private sellers to buckle.
5 Which variant achieves the better prices?
Several market analyses show: Estate agents generally achieve higher sales prices than private sellers.
This is due to:
- professional marketing strategy
- broader consumer reach
- Negotiation experience
- objective, neutral communication
Even after deducting the commission, the net proceeds for sellers often remain higher.
6. Hybrid models: a modern alternative
There are increasingly hybrid concepts between private sales and full-service estate agents:
- Individual services: photos only, valuation only, negotiation only
- Digital broker platforms
- Consultant instead of agency models
- Success or fixed price models
These solutions are particularly interesting for salespeople who want to take on certain tasks themselves but do not want to do without professional expertise.
7 Conclusion: What is the right decision?
Selling with a broker is ideal if you:
- want to achieve the maximum price
- do not have time for the sales process
- want legal certainty
- prefer a professional appearance
Selling without an estate agent can be useful if:
- you have experience in property sales
- bring enough time and market knowledge
- a buyer has already been found
In most cases, however, sellers not only save time, but also achieve a Financially better result, when a professional is at your side.
8 WENET AG - Your partner for a secure and successful property sale
As experienced experts, we accompany you through every step of the sales process - transparently, reliably and with a clear focus on success.
We support you in achieving the best possible price and avoiding risks.
