How to Effectively Sell an Apartment? Comprehensive Guide for Property Owners
Selling an apartment is a decision that requires time, commitment and appropriate strategy. Whether you want to sell your apartment quickly, for a good price, or simply without unnecessary stress - the way you prepare the offer and the course of the entire process are crucial.
In this comprehensive guide, prepared by the WawelDom team, we show you step by step how to effectively sell an apartment - and why more and more owners decide to cooperate with a professional real estate agency. You'll learn everything you need to make your apartment sale fast, safe and profitable.
Apartment Sales Process at a Glance
Consultation and valuation
Property analysis and sales strategy establishment
Offer preparation
Professional photos, descriptions and marketing materials
Promotion and presentations
Offer publication and apartment showings
Negotiations and preliminary agreement
Transaction terms establishment and security
Finalization at notary
Deed signing and apartment transfer
Why Sell Apartment with WawelDom?
1Real and Precise Apartment Valuation
The right price is the foundation of effective sale. Too high price will deter potential buyers, while too low means unnecessary financial losses.
How do we perform precise valuation?
- Comparative analysis - detailed study of prices of similar apartments in the area
- Technical condition assessment - consideration of building age, installation condition, renovation necessity
- Location and surroundings - transport accessibility, schools, shops, green areas
- Primary vs secondary market - valuation differences depending on market type
- Market trends - current situation on real estate market in Krakow and Warsaw
- Unique advantages - view, floor, balcony, terrace, additional rooms
Practical example: An apartment on the 8th floor with park view can be worth even 15% more than identical apartment on 2nd floor with view of neighboring building wall. We can notice and properly value such differences.
2Professional Presentation and Property Marketing
In the internet age, first impression determines interest in the offer. Professional presentation can increase inquiry number even by 300%.
WawelDom comprehensive marketing package:
Visual materials:
- Professional photo session - photos in optimal light, showing apartment advantages
- Video film - virtual tour with real estate agent commentary
- Drone photos - area presentation and location in broader context
- Macro photos - finishing details and unique apartment elements
- Apartment plan - clear layout with room dimensions
Home staging and arrangement:
- Advice on apartment preparation for showings
- Temporary furnishing (in premium package)
- Minor cleaning and decorative works
- Space optimization and interior arrangements
3Effective Multi-Channel Promotion
Even the best prepared offer won't sell itself. Marketing strategy is needed that reaches the right audience.
Where do we promote your apartment?
- Real estate portals - Otodom, Morizon, Gratka, Domiporta, Olx
- WawelDom website - with daily offer updates
- Social media - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
- Google marketing - advertising campaigns in search engine
- Own client database - over 5000 people looking for properties
- Cooperation with other agencies - partner network in Krakow and Warsaw
- Traditional marketing - notice boards, local newspapers
Tip: Apartments in price range 400-600 thousand PLN sell most effectively through real estate portals, while luxury apartments (above 1 million PLN) often find buyers through direct contacts and referral network.
4Time Savings and Protection Against Unserious Buyers
Independent apartment sale means dozens of hours of lost time on:
- Answering calls from random people (average 50-100 calls per offer)
- Arranging showings with unserious buyers
- Canceling meetings at the last minute
- Explaining basic information about the apartment
- Negotiations with people who have no real purchase intentions
- Coordinating schedules with multiple agents
How do we filter buyers?
- Preliminary verification by phone - we assess seriousness of intentions
- Checking creditworthiness and financial capabilities
- Apartment presentation only to people with specific profile
- Limiting showings to specific time frames
- Collecting feedback after each showing
5Comprehensive Legal and Formal Support
Apartment sale involves many formalities that can overwhelm even experienced sellers.
Scope of our formal assistance:
- Document verification - checking completeness of notarial deeds, land registers
- Legal status analysis - identification of possible encumbrances and limitations
- Preliminary agreement preparation - with appropriate safeguards for seller
- Coordination with notary office - cooperation with trusted notaries
- Tax advisory - sale cost optimization, PCC tax exemptions
- Assistance with signature collection - if apartment is co-owned
- Coordination with property manager - settlement of outstanding fees
6Experience and Specialized Market Knowledge
WawelDom are not just agents - we are real estate experts with many years of experience on Krakow and Warsaw market.
What distinguishes our experience?
- 15+ years on the market - we know market cycles and can predict trends
- Territorial specialization - deep knowledge of individual districts of Krakow and Warsaw
- Contact network - extensive database of buyers, investors and developers
- Case studies - rich portfolio of successful transactions in different market segments
- Continuous training - regular qualification improvement by our team
- Cooperation with experts - network of lawyers, appraisers, architects
How Does Apartment Sale Process Look with WawelDom?
1Free Consultation and Detailed Valuation
We start the process by thoroughly getting to know your apartment and your expectations. This is the foundation of entire cooperation.
What happens during consultation?
- Detailed apartment viewing - we assess technical condition, advantages, shortcomings
- Document analysis - notarial deed, land register, use permit
- Discussion about your goals - whether you care about quick sale, maximum price, specific deadline
- Sales strategy presentation - recommendations regarding price, apartment preparation, sale time
- Schedule discussion - expected sale time, showing frequency
- Presentation of our service scope - what exactly we'll do for you
Prepare: For first consultation it's worth bringing all documents related to the apartment, including purchase notarial deed, information about fees (maintenance, utilities) and any reconstruction permits.
2Offer Preparation and Marketing Materials
When we establish strategy, we proceed to creating professional offer that will stand out from competition.
We create comprehensive marketing package:
Photo and video session:
- Professional real estate photographer with appropriate equipment
- Photos in optimal lighting conditions
- Video film with virtual apartment tour
- Drone photos presenting surroundings (for apartments with terraces/view)
- Finishing details and unique apartment elements
Offer description:
- Detailed description highlighting apartment advantages
- Information about location - transport, schools, shops, recreational areas
- Technical data in clear form
- Apartment and building history (if it adds value)
- Investment potential and adaptation possibilities
Home staging and preparation:
- Advice on organization and decoration
- Possible minor repairs improving image
- Interior arrangement optimization for showing purposes
3Intensive Promotion and Apartment Presentations
When offer is ready, we start intensive promotional campaign and organize showings for potential buyers.
Promotional strategy:
- Publication on 10+ real estate portals with daily updates
- Advertising campaigns in Google and social media
- Sending offer to WawelDom active client database
- Presentation in partner real estate agency network
- Word-of-mouth marketing among local communities
Showing organization:
- Flexible showing hours adapted to your availability
- Group showings (open house) for larger number of interested parties
- Individual showings for serious, verified buyers
- Professional presentation of apartment advantages by agent
- Collecting feedback and responses from showing participants
Attention: Statistically apartment needs average 8-15 showings to find buyer. The better prepared the offer, the fewer showings needed for sale finalization.
4Negotiations and Transaction Preparation
When serious buyer appears, we proceed to negotiations and preliminary agreement preparation.
Negotiation process:
- Buyer offer analysis - assessment of reality and benefit
- Establishing your negotiation strategy - minimum price, flexibility in conditions
- Professional negotiation conduct - using persuasion techniques
- Looking for win-win solutions - compromises beneficial for both parties
- Protection of your interests - not agreeing to unfavorable conditions
Preliminary agreement preparation:
- Price and payment conditions establishment (cash, transfer, credit)
- Deadline definition - preliminary and notarial agreement signing
- Deposit amount establishment (standardly 5-10% of purchase price)
- Introduction of safeguards in case buyer withdraws
- Apartment condition establishment on transfer day (what remains, what is taken)
- Outstanding fee settlement method definition (maintenance, utilities)
5Transaction Finalization at Notary and Apartment Transfer
The last stage is transaction finalization and formal apartment transfer to new owner.
Preparation for notary visit:
- Scheduling appointment adapted to all parties' availability
- Preparing complete document set needed by notary
- Ensuring buyer has financial security
- Reminding about necessary identity documents
- Coordination with bank (if buyer uses credit)
Notarial deed signing:
- Notary reads and explains notarial deed content
- Parties sign document in notary presence
- Funds transfer occurs (or transfer confirmation)
- Land register entry application is submitted
- Transaction confirmations are issued
Apartment transfer:
- Writing handover protocol with meter readings
- Handing over keys and documents to new owner
- Informing property manager about owner change
- Advice on tax matters related to sale
- Post-sale support in case of questions or doubts
Apartment Sale Costs - Transparent Overview
Estimated apartment sale costs for value 500,000 PLN
Important information: If you have owned the apartment longer than 5 years, in most cases you are exempt from PCC tax. At WawelDom we help optimize tax and formal costs.
Independent Sale vs Agency Cooperation - Comparison
| Aspect | Independent Sale | With WawelDom Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Sale time | 3-9 months | 1-3 months |
| Achieved price | Market average or lower | 8-15% higher thanks to professional valuation |
| Number of showings | 15-30 showings | 8-15 showings (only with verified buyers) |
| Time involvement | Several hours weekly for many months | Several meetings, we handle the rest for you |
| Transaction safety | Risk of legal and formal errors | Full legal and notarial protection |
| Stress and mental burden | High - independent conduct of entire process | Minimal - we take over entire organizational burden |
| Cost effectiveness | Lower direct costs, but higher hidden costs | Higher direct costs, but better net result |
Who Is This Guide For?
Ready to Sell Your Apartment?
Contact us today and schedule a free, non-binding valuation of your apartment. Our experts will analyze its value and present sales strategy tailored to your needs.
Schedule Free ValuationSummary
Apartment sale doesn't have to be stressful or time-consuming. However, it requires market knowledge, marketing skills, legal knowledge and large time investments. That's why it's worth trusting professionals.
With WawelDom you get comprehensive service, honest advisory and real effectiveness. Thanks to our experience (15+ years on the market) and specialized knowledge about Krakow and Warsaw market, you can be sure your apartment will be sold quickly, safely and at favorable price.