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“Hey, when are you going to sell my property?”
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“Which property?”
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“You know, the one up there?”
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“I’m not sure I know which property you mean.”
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“Hey, just let me know if anyone asks!”
This is what a quick conversation with an acquaintance looked like on the street the other day.
First of all, I barely know the acquaintance’s name, let alone which property they are selling.
Secondly, how could anyone ask me about that property when it hasn’t even been advertised, hasn’t been registered with the agency, and I don’t know anything about it at all?
Acquaintances often stop us on the street, casually offer apartments and houses, and ask where the buyers are.
However, there is a clear procedure for assigning a property to an intermediary to sell it in Croatia, and following it is very important, especially for foreign owners and sellers.
For foreign sellers, it is useful to know that the Croatian property market is legally regulated, and agencies must be licensed to operate. Proper documentation and verified ownership are essential before a property can be legally marketed and sold.
THROUGH AN AGENCY OR ON YOUR OWN (ON THE CROATIAN PROPERTY MARKET)
If you are a seller and have decided to sell your property in Croatia, you can sell it yourself or through an authorized realtor (real estate agency).
Foreign owners often choose agencies because agencies:
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communicate with local buyers,
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understand Croatian laws and procedures,
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help with documentation checks,
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help avoid legal or administrative mistakes.
1. If you decide to sell it yourself without an intermediary
Then you handle everything on your own as best as you can, including marketing, buyer communication, legal checks, and coordination with lawyers and notaries.
For foreign sellers, this can sometimes be challenging due to language barriers and unfamiliar legal procedures. You need to understand that in such a serious job, anything you do on your own, you will always be responsible for, and you will bear the consequences of your actions.
2. If you decide to sell through an authorized realtor (licensed real estate agency in Croatia)
It is best to:
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first schedule an appointment at the agency office to agree on all details,
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if you come to the office, it is recommended to bring all the property documentation you have; the agency will copy what they need and warn you about any possible deficiencies,
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if you cannot come to the office in person, everything can be arranged by phone and email,
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inform the agency about all details of the property being sold, because the agency needs full clarity to prepare a detailed description and later properly present the property to potential buyers,
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make sure to ask how much the agency commission is and what it includes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERS
On the Croatian real estate market, the agency will first check whether the property has proper and complete documentation according to regulations in Croatia.
This usually includes proof of ownership, land registry status, and building legality documentation.
If everything is in order, the next step is signing a document called the Brokerage Agreement.
It is best for the property owner to personally sign the Brokerage Agreement at the agency office so the agency can verify their identity.
A scanned signed agreement can also be sent by email along with an ID copy, and the original can be sent by post.
If you are acting under power of attorney, you must allow the agency to copy that document as well, and then you sign the Brokerage Agreement instead of the property owner.
It is also very important to state whether you want an exclusive or a standard Brokerage Agreement and ask the agency to explain the difference.
If there is any clause in the agreement you do not understand, ask the agency to clarify it.
Once the Brokerage Agreement is signed, you must receive a copy.
Then you should arrange a property photography appointment with the agency.
At that point, your involvement mostly ends and the agency’s work begins.
In general, the more information you give the agency about the property you are selling, the better they can advertise and present it to potential buyers, and you can start expecting results from the agency’s work.
From this text, we can conclude that there is a clear procedure, order, and professional standard for offering a property for sale through a real estate agency in Croatia.
If you have any specific questions related to selling your property in Croatia, especially in Vodice, contact us by email.
Text author: Jasminka Fišer Gavranović – owner of the agency Alfa nekretnine from Vodice, long-time licensed real estate agent and home staging expert
Alfa nekretnine
Obala Juričev Ive Cote 27, Vodice
Office tel.: +385 22 441 292
Mobile: +385 91 525 3260
Email: info@alfanekretnine.hr