Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling an Apartment

Selling an apartment is one of the most important financial transactions a person makes in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it often happens that apartment sellers make simple but costly mistakes that can prolong the entire process or even cause the deal to fail. Let's look more closely at five common mistakes to avoid when selling an apartment and how Kinnisvara24 can help prevent these problems.

1. Incorrect pricing

One of the biggest mistakes apartment sellers make is overpricing the property. The emotional attachment to a home often causes sellers to value it higher than the market actually offers. This is not just the seller's subjective feeling – statistics show that overpriced apartments stay on the market longer and are ultimately sold at a lower price than would have been obtained with a realistic initial asking price.

How to avoid it:

• Familiarize yourself with Estonian apartment price trends in Kinnisvara24's statistics portal, which provides up-to-date data on prices in different regions

• Analyze the selling prices of similar apartments in the same area – look at actual selling prices of apartments with similar size, floor, and condition, not just asking prices in listings

• If the price is significantly higher than market conditions, the property may remain unsold for longer and this can reduce initial buyer interest, as they may assume that the reason lies in something that is not immediately visible.

2. Poor photos and incomplete description

Photos and description are critical in creating a first impression. Blurry, poorly lit images or an incomplete apartment description can scare away potential interested parties even before they've seen the apartment. Scientific research confirms that people make a first impression decision in just a few seconds, which makes the presence of quality photos absolutely essential.

How to avoid it:

• Take photos in good light (ideally in daylight) and thoroughly clean the apartment beforehand – excessive personal items and clutter in the image creates a chaotic impression of the property for sale

• Add photos from all rooms, kitchen, bathroom and other important details – even small but positive details like renovated radiators or quality windows can influence a buyer

• Write a thorough and honest description that includes all important information (square meters, number of floors, year of renovation, energy class, neighborhood advantages)

• Highlight the apartment's advantages (e.g., new kitchen, recently renovated bathroom, balcony, storage room, parking space)

Kinnisvara24 portal ensures maximum visibility for your listing, but attractive photos and a thorough description are the keys to success. Our platform's mobile-friendly design showcases your listing well on mobile devices, which are used by the vast majority of our visitors.

3. Lack of preparation for technical questions

Potential buyers often ask detailed questions about the apartment's technical condition, energy efficiency, repair fund and other important aspects. An unprepared seller leaves an unprofessional impression and can create uncertainty in the buyer – if the seller cannot answer simple questions, the buyer may begin to suspect that the property has problems that are being hidden.

How to avoid it:

• Gather all important documents before selling that help clearly present the property's condition and history (e.g., utility cost summaries over a longer period to show seasonal changes).

• Be prepared to provide information about the apartment association's repair fund and planned renovation work – it is especially important to know if costly renovation work such as facade or roof renovation is planned in the near future

• You may consider ordering a technical inspection before the sale to prevent potential surprises and provide the buyer with confidence.

4. Take seasonality into account

The real estate market is seasonal and purchase interest can fluctuate throughout the year, so it's worth being patient in the sales process. For example, it is known that the summer period typically sees a quieter real estate market as people focus on vacations, while fall and spring have a more active buyer base.

In addition to the portal, Kinnisvara24 provides wide visibility through social media channels and listings reach major Estonian portals such as Delfi.ee and Soov.ee. Our strong social media presence ensures that your listing reaches passive buyers who don't actively visit real estate portals but could be interested in your offer.

5. Ignoring professional help

Many sellers try to go through the entire sales process on their own, causing themselves stress and making mistakes that a professional could avoid. Hiring a real estate broker is not just an additional expense – it is an investment that can ensure a higher sales price and a smoother process.

Imagine a situation where you have an apartment in the same city, but you have very limited time to deal with the sale. In this case, a broker can be of great help, keeping the entire sales process smooth and under control while saving your time and energy.

How to avoid it:

• Consider using a real estate broker's services, especially if you lack prior experience – a professional knows how to properly value, present and negotiate an apartment

• Consult with a specialist on legal matters – real estate transactions contain many legal nuances that ordinary people may not know about

• Don't underestimate the importance of preparing the apartment for sale – a broker can advise which small repairs or changes would help increase the apartment's value

Kinnisvara24 provides a convenient way to find a trustworthy broker to help you through the apartment sales process smoothly. Through our platform, you can compare the experience, specialization and offers of different brokers to find the right partner for you.

Summary

Mistakes made when selling an apartment can prolong the sales process or even reduce the income received. Fortunately, most mistakes can be avoided with proper preparation and professional assistance.

Kinnisvara24 offers a comprehensive platform for selling an apartment, from determining a realistic price to reaching potential buyers. Our modern and mobile-friendly environment and personal customer service help you complete your apartment sale successfully.

The advantage of our portal is also Estonia's most comprehensive real estate market statistics portal, which gives the seller the necessary information to determine the right price and understand market trends.

Start today by adding your apartment sales listing to Kinnisvara24 portal and avoid common mistakes that can make the deal more complicated!