Real estate law

Do you want to buy or sell a property in Germany? Then you must know that buying and selling real estate in Germany is completely different than in the USA or especially in Florida. An essential difference already exists in the function and in the importance of the broker, who in Germany can only ever offer what he himself has listed, there is no system comparable to the MLS.

Also, there is no period of time between the conclusion of a purchase contract and the closing as is known from Florida. Rather, a non-binding agreement is usually reached verbally or by email up to the notary appointment. The broker or one of the contracting parties themselves then informs the notary of the cornerstones of the contract, i.e. property, purchase price, etc., and he then drafts the contract. A notary appointment is agreed upon, at which all parties involved must be present in person (or be legally represented). In this appointment, the notary reads the contract to the parties in full and then they all have to sign and he notarizes the contract.

This is regulated in § 311b paragraph 1 of the Civil Code (BGB) for reasons of protection for both parties.

I will help you to review and understand this contract and how you can avoid having to appear in person if, for example, you want to sell a property after you have emigrated to the USA or, as a US citizen, you want to acquire or want to sell a property in Germany.

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