How to Sell an Apartment Through an Agency

What the agency does, the steps from listing to title, what to prepare and the mistakes to avoid.

Updated: 3 June 2026 8 min read

What the agency actually does for you

An agency is your professional intermediary in one of the biggest financial deals of your life. It does more than post a listing — it values the property, arranges viewings, negotiates, prepares paperwork and walks you through the legal process to the title deed.

A good agency saves time, brings financially ready buyers and prevents costly contract mistakes. A bad one just posts a listing and waits.

The sale steps

  1. Choose an agency. Review 3–5 licensed agencies, check their standing, years and reviews. See the guide to choosing an agency.
  2. Valuation based on comparable sales in the area — ask for concrete numbers.
  3. Listing prep — professional photos, description, floor plan.
  4. Agency contract (exclusive or not). What it must contain →
  5. Viewings — the agency screens calls and brings serious buyers.
  6. Negotiation and offer — you have the final say.
  7. Preliminary contract and deposit (usually 10%), notarized.
  8. Main contract and notarization, balance paid, then handover and cadastre registration.

What to prepare before calling an agency

  • Title extract (from the cadastre, no older than 30 days)
  • Energy passport (mandatory for a sale)
  • Floor plan with areas
  • Utility bills (last 3 months — shows no arrears)
  • List of fixtures that stay
  • List of recent repairs

Typical sale timeline

In Belgrade an average apartment sells in 30–90 days when the price is realistic and the agency is active. Smaller cities 90–180 days; luxury (over €300k) often 6–12 months. If a listing sits over 60 days with no serious offer, the price is likely too high.

Commission — what to expect

The standard commission is 2–4% of the price plus VAT; paid by the party that engaged the agency, usually the seller. Details in the commissions guide →

Common seller mistakes

  • "We'll lower it later". The first 2 weeks get the most viewers; too high a start kills attention.
  • Poor photos — half the views.
  • Hiding defects — the buyer finds them at viewing.
  • Exclusive contract with no end date. Exclusivity is fine; an open-ended term is not.
  • No energy passport — you cannot sign the sale without it; prepare it in advance.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to sell an apartment through an agency?

In Belgrade usually 30–90 days with a realistic price and an active agency; smaller cities 90–180 days; luxury often 6–12 months. If a listing sits over 60 days with no offer, consider adjusting the price.

What documents do I need to sell?

A title extract (under 30 days old), an energy passport (mandatory), a floor plan, recent utility bills, and a list of fixtures that stay. Prepare them before calling an agency.

Should I sign an exclusive contract?

Exclusivity itself is not bad — it often means more agency effort. The key is a clear end date and a defined scope of what the agency provides.

This guide is general information and not legal advice. Confirm the specific terms in your contract.