How to Sell an Apartment: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Transaction

Do you want to sell your apartment quickly and at the best price, but find the complexity of the process raises questions? Selling a home is a big step, where the key to success lies in thorough preparation, accurate pricing, and legal correctness. This guide will help you act with confidence at every stage.

A fair price is the foundation of successful sales

The first and most critical step is determining a fair value for your apartment based on real market data, not just emotions. As of early 2026, the median price of Estonian apartments is 2106 euros per square meter, but in Tallinn, transaction prices are significantly higher, ranging from 2774–2987 euros. However, you need to keep in mind that there is a notable gap in the market: asking prices are often 19–35% higher than actual transactions, which means that too ambitious an initial amount can unnecessarily stretch your sales period for several months.

To get a more accurate overview, it's worth analyzing general price trends in the real estate market and the expectations of market participants. Although an official appraisal report is often necessary, for example in a loan application, it may not always fully reflect the current market situation or changes in demand. An appraisal report is usually based on previous transactions and existing data, so it can be somewhat static compared to rapidly changing market conditions. Therefore, it is often useful to consult with real estate experts and also look at the broader market context in addition.

Documentation and apartment presentation

Before publishing your listing, you need to get your legal affairs in order and gather the necessary documents. In the sales process, it is mandatory to present a valid energy label and a certificate from the apartment association confirming the absence of debts. You should also check the land register extract to ensure clarity of ownership relations and that all renovations carried out have been properly legalized. Once your documents are in order, it's time to focus on presentation. To attract the attention of potential buyers, your apartment must be clean, as impersonal as possible – clutter-free – and visually attractive.

Professional photos and accurate floor plans are now standard, helping you stand out in areas where there are many offers. Whether your goal is selling apartments in Tallinn or in Tartu city, the right first visual impression determines whether an interested party will even come to view. Don't worry too much about timing, because, for example, demand for apartments in Harju County remains stable year-round, so the best time to start selling is when you are ready yourself.

Transaction formalization at a notary

Once you have found a suitable buyer and agreed on terms, the process moves to a notary. In Estonia, all real estate transactions are mandatory notarial – without it, the contract is void. A notary is an impartial official who verifies the parties' identity, ownership rights, and ensures that the contract complies with laws. This stage involves costs such as notary fees and state duty. Over time, it has become customary for these costs to be shared equally between buyer and seller, but this is always a matter of negotiation. For more detailed information on cost allocation, you can find it in the article explaining who pays the notary fee.

As a seller, you must also take into account your tax obligations. If the apartment being sold is not your primary residence, you must pay 22% income tax on the profit gained – that is, the difference between the sale and purchase prices. However, an important tax exemption applies: once every two years, you can sell your home used as a residence tax-free. This is a strategically important nuance to keep in mind when planning your finances to avoid unexpected costs in next year's tax return.

Possession transfer and responsibility

After signing the notarial contract, the apartment is officially transferred to the new owner. During this process, a detailed handover-acceptance report is prepared, which notes all meter readings, the number of keys being transferred, and the condition of the apartment at that time. Honesty and transparency are key here. You must remember that as a seller, you are responsible for hidden defects in the apartment for up to three years after the transaction.

To avoid costly disputes later, it's wise to record all known defects right from the start. It's worth familiarizing yourself with the recommendations on how to sell real estate so that the buyer has no reason to file complaints later. This provides peace of mind for both you and the buyer and allows you to conclude the transaction with a clear conscience.

Maximum visibility in the Kinnisvara24 portal

The Kinnisvara24 portal is designed to provide the seller with the best tools to get their listing to the right target audience quickly. Our modern and mobile-friendly platform, combined with detailed statistics, allows you to monitor your listing's success in real time. You can see how many times your offer has been viewed and how many real interested parties have emerged, which gives you the opportunity to adjust the price or presentation if needed.

Thanks to broad visibility on social media, Google, and other major media channels, your offer reaches thousands of people looking for a home in Tartu County or other regions of Estonia. Our goal is to make listing addition quick and convenient while providing professional customer support throughout the process.

The success of the sales process begins with thorough preparation, pricing that matches market conditions, and choosing a reliable advertising channel. Once you've put your documents in order and made your apartment presentation-ready, it's time to create a standout listing. Start selling your apartment today on the Kinnisvara24 portal, to quickly find a suitable buyer and achieve a successful transaction. Familiarize yourself with our price list in more detail.