Buying or selling a property is not an everyday situation. Whether it’s a condominium, detached house or plot of land – it often involves large sums of money, emotional decisions and legally complex processes. If you want to hire a real estate agent, you need a reliable partner with market knowledge and a clear sales strategy.
In this article, you will learn which tasks a real estate agent takes on, how to recognize reputable providers and how the sales process can be professionally accompanied – from the valuation to the signing of the contract. This will give you the knowledge you need to make the right decision when choosing an estate agent.
VIAREALIS® stands for sound real estate brokerage – with an experienced team that successfully markets high-quality properties and targets buyers.
The most important facts at a glance
- In-depth knowledge of the market in your region: A qualified real estate agent knows supply, demand and price trends – a decisive advantage, especially in the highly differentiated real estate market in Dresden.
- Professional valuation of your property: A realistic estimate of the sales price will help you avoid financial losses or long marketing times.
- Time savings & process reliability: From the creation of high-quality exposés to viewings and the execution of the purchase contract, the estate agent takes care of all tasks in a legally compliant and efficient manner.
- Access to verified buyers & exclusive properties: Through their network, brokers such as VIAREALIS® not only reach more interested parties, but also targeted solvent buyers or profitable investment properties.
- Legal protection & contractual clarity: An experienced broker ensures compliance with legal regulations and checks all steps, from the brokerage contract to the final handover.
- Transparent cost structure: The broker’s commission is communicated openly and is justified in the event of success – especially if the sales price and sales period are optimized.
- Local presence & personal support: VIAREALIS® offers you as a real estate agent in Dresden direct contacts, short distances and individual solutions – whether for capital investment, sale or purchase.
What does a real estate agent actually do?
A real estate agent does much more than just act as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. They evaluate properties in line with the market, prepare all documents professionally, develop a targeted marketing strategy and accompany the entire sale or property purchase – from the first meeting to notarization. At the same time, he acts as a point of contact for legal, financial and organizational issues, which is particularly advantageous when looking for a property.
Its role is particularly crucial when it comes to complex properties or individual requirements – for example, when selling a detached house with special features, buying an investment or looking for solvent buyers for a condominium or attractive rental apartments. It helps to avoid typical mistakes, saves time and ensures clarity and certainty at every step – even when estimating realistic ideas about price and sales duration.
Brokers as an interface – between the market, people and real estate
A good estate agent not only understands the figures behind a property, but also the stories that come with it. Especially in a city like Dresden, where location, building quality and utilization potential vary greatly, experience and intuition are needed to correctly assess and position properties. VIAREALIS® offers precisely this combination: in-depth expertise, local market knowledge and personal advice at eye level. The result is not only a successful sales process – but also trust on both sides.
When is a real estate agent worthwhile?
A real estate agent is always a valuable support when expertise, time and market knowledge are required – i.e. in most cases when selling or buying a property. Owners benefit from a well-founded valuation, professional exposés, a targeted marketing strategy and legally compliant processing. Unrealistic asking prices, uncertainties about estate agent costs or a lack of knowledge about estate agent fees can also be clarified and avoided at an early stage.
Buyers can also save time and conduct a more targeted search by hiring an estate agent – especially if they are looking for high-quality properties, investments or a clear market strategy. Professional estate agents accompany the property search, pre-filter suitable offers, provide valuable tips on selecting suitable apartments and prepare viewings in the best possible way. The result is a structured purchase process – tailored to individual goals.
New build in Dresden – why buying real estate through an estate agent is particularly worthwhile here
In the Dresden area, new-build apartments are an attractive option – whether for owner-occupation or as an investment. VIAREALIS® brokers exclusive new-build projects that focus on quality, design and long-term value development. When you commission a real estate agent, one of the benefits of new builds in Dresden is that:
- They get access to modern new-build apartments, often as early as the planning phase.
- The furnishings and floor plan can still be co-designed – in other words, there is a high degree of flexibility.
- the properties are energy-efficient, of high quality and eligible for subsidies, which has a positive effect on costs, living comfort and value retention.
- Rental stability and demand in Dresden are above average, making new-build apartments a reliable investment.
VIAREALIS® brings its regional market knowledge to bear here: exclusive new-build projects are carefully selected (e.g. location, development potential), interested parties are clearly informed – from initial contact and viewings through to completion.
What does a real estate agent cost?
The appointment of a real estate agent is usually associated with a performance-related commission – i.e. payment is only made if the transaction is successful. In Saxony, the buyer and seller usually share the costs equally, unless otherwise agreed. The exact amount depends on the property, the work involved and the services included.
The commission usually covers the following services:
- Valuation and advice on realistic pricing
- Professional marketing, including exposé and online placement
- Organization and implementation of tours
- Negotiations between buyer and seller
- Support up to the notary appointment including contract preparation
Professional support often pays off twice over, especially with challenging properties – through higher sales proceeds, lower risks and speedy processing.
Brokerage contract: types & legal basis
If you want to hire a real estate agent, you should familiarize yourself with the contractual basis in advance. This is because not every estate agent contract is structured in the same way – and the rights and obligations differ significantly depending on the type of agreement. The legal basis is § 652 BGB (German Civil Code), which regulates the commission claim in the event of successful brokerage. Although a brokerage contract can also be concluded verbally, it is always advisable to have a written agreement in which the services, duration and remuneration are clearly defined.
In practice, three types of contract have become established, which are used depending on the objective. For example, if you want to make a quick and binding sale, you should not rely on a general assignment, but on a qualified exclusive assignment with a clearly defined scope of services.
Below is an overview of the most important types of contract:
Simple brokerage contract: The owner can commission other brokers or sell the property himself. Only the broker who leads to the sale is entitled to commission.
Exclusive mandate: Marketing is left exclusively to an estate agent, other agents are excluded, but the owner may act on his own behalf.
Qualified sole mandate: The estate agent receives the sole right to sell and the owner undertakes to lead interested parties exclusively through this estate agent. This form offers the highest level of commitment and efficiency.
Right of withdrawal and documentation: Private individuals have a 14-day right of withdrawal for contracts concluded outside of business premises – e.g. for online inquiries or telephone contacts. A reputable broker will inform you of this transparently and in writing.
Especially when real estate financing, price negotiations and contract processing are to be coordinated, a professional brokerage contract is the stable basis for the entire sales process.
You can find out how current interest rates, financing conditions and contract design can be sensibly combined on our page on current real estate interest rates in 2025.
Selling real estate without an estate agent – risks & limits
The idea of selling a property without an estate agent seems tempting at first glance: no commission, full control and direct contact with the buyer. However, as with all independently managed transactions, there are challenges that should not be underestimated. A close look at possible risks helps to avoid wrong decisions and realistically assess the scope of the sale.
These reasons speak for careful consideration
Without professional support, there is often a lack of market knowledge, legal certainty and negotiating experience, factors that can have a direct impact on the sale price and the process. Emotional attachment to the property or a lack of experience in dealing with prospective buyers also make objective valuation and communication difficult.
The most common disadvantages of private sales include:
Unrealistic asking prices: Without a sound market analysis, the asking price is often set too high or too low, which can lead to long marketing times or financial losses.
Lack of visibility: Without a professional exposé, online marketing and an existing network, owners usually only reach a fraction of potential buyers.
Legal uncertainties: Purchase contracts, land register excerpts, energy certificates and handover protocols require precise preparation; errors or omissions can be expensive.
Weak negotiating skills: Direct communication with buyers can be emotionally stressful, especially when negotiating prices or asking about defects.
Liability risks: Those who act as sellers themselves bear full responsibility, even in the event of subsequent complaints or formal omissions.
For whom is a private sale worthwhile?
Selling a property without an estate agent can make sense if:
- it is a highly sought-after property,
- the seller has experience, legal knowledge and an overview of the market,
- there is sufficient time for viewings, contract processing and communication.
In all other cases, working with a professional broker not only offers security, but also real added value through better prices, shorter sales times and a structured process.
If you are still unsure whether real estate is currently the right way to invest your money, we recommend our comparison: ETF or real estate – which pays off more?
With VIAREALIS® the right broker at your side
Rely on sound market knowledge, clear sales strategies and exclusive real estate offers in Dresden – whether for purchase, sale or as an investment.
Using several brokers – sensible or risky?
People who want to sell a property often think that the more estate agents they appoint, the greater the chance of success. However, this thinking falls short. Depending on the type of contract and marketing concept, appointing several estate agents can quickly become confusing and even jeopardize the success of the sale. After all, it is not the number of brokers that matters, but the quality of the strategy.
Owners in particular who want to remain flexible often opt for the so-called simple brokerage contract. This allows parallel cooperation with several agents – without exclusivity. However, what sounds like more reach at first glance often leads to an uncoordinated appearance, inconsistent exposés and a lack of confidence on the buyer’s side. If you want to approach the sale in a structured and professional manner, you should therefore take a closer look – and above all manage your market presence.
Have you thought about the impact of your sales strategy? Read our blog post
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how targeted positioning and addressing target groups can be decisive.
Commissioning a broker: keeping an eye on structure, control and market presence
The decision to appoint one or more estate agents should not be made spontaneously, but strategically. This is because the choice of contract form directly influences how your property is perceived on the market and what scope for action the estate agent actually has. The following points are particularly important for successful marketing:
Clearly defined responsibilities: If you commission several brokers, you have to ensure coordination and agreement yourself, which takes time and harbors potential for conflict.
Exposé consistency: Different advertisements with differing prices, photos or texts confuse prospective buyers and reduce confidence.
Marketing motivation: Without exclusivity, the broker’s willingness to invest time and budget is significantly lower, as the risk of going away empty-handed is high.
Legal pitfalls: Without a clear agreement, there is a risk of double commission claims if several brokers are successful at the same time.
Image effect: An object that appears multiple times on all platforms can give the impression of being difficult to sell, even if it is of high quality.
For owners who want to retain maximum control, a qualified sole mandate with an experienced estate agent may be the better choice. This allows strategy, presentation and price negotiation to be controlled in a targeted manner, without any frictional losses.
If you would like to check whether selling or buying is currently worthwhile at all, read our article: When will it be worth buying a home in 2025?
Hire an estate agent or sell yourself? The direct comparison
| Aspect | Private sale | Hire a real estate agent |
| Control | Full control over every step | Control over approvals, but relief in the process |
| Time required | Very high – all done in-house | Significantly reduced – broker takes over organization |
| Specialist knowledge required | Yes – especially for price, contracts, legal issues | No – market knowledge, valuation and legal certainty by brokers |
| Reach & marketing | Limited (e.g. only via online portals) | Professional marketing via multiple channels, including addressing target groups |
| Visits | Organize and carry out yourself | Broker takes over planning, implementation and follow-up |
| Price negotiation | Independent, often emotionally difficult | Objective negotiation with experience |
| Security in the sales process | High risk of legal errors | Safeguarding through tested processes and contract preparation |
| Sales proceeds | Unclear – risk of an incorrect pricing strategy | Often higher due to targeted positioning on the market |
| Costs | No broker’s commission – but possibly hidden additional costs (e.g. for notary advice) | Broker commission on success – transparent and agreed in advance |
For whom is the appointment of a broker particularly suitable?
Hiring an estate agent is particularly worthwhile for owners who want professional support, legal security and targeted marketing. Anyone who has little experience with real estate sales or does not want to offer their property below its value will benefit from the market knowledge, network and negotiating skills of a qualified estate agent.
Even owners with a busy work schedule or who live far away appreciate the relief provided by an experienced contact person. From the first consultation to the notarial handover, the estate agent will accompany you through all the steps in a structured and efficient manner.
Investors with several properties also benefit from strategic planning, consistent marketing and a reliable contact person who knows the market. And buyers also receive more certainty in pricing, financing and property valuation thanks to the broker’s support.
If you are looking at financing options at the same time as planning your sale, you can find more information here: Construction financing Dresden – your best solution for financial projects
Conclusion: Hire an estate agent or sell it yourself?
Whether you commission an estate agent or take the sale into your own hands depends on many factors, including time, experience, market knowledge and objectives. If you value a structured, legally compliant and profit-optimized transaction, you are generally better off with a qualified estate agent. The advantages lie in professional marketing, a well-founded valuation and a targeted approach to buyers.
VIAREALIS® accompanies you as a reliable partner with market knowledge, experience and personal advice for a successful real estate sale in Dresden and the surrounding area.
Frequently asked questions about commissioning a broker
How many brokers can I instruct at the same time?
With a simple brokerage contract, you can commission several brokers at the same time. This is not possible with a qualified sole mandate – as is often used for professional real estate sales in Dresden. In such cases, only one estate agent works exclusively for you, which enables a clear, uniform market presence.
When is it worth hiring a broker?
Whenever you want legal certainty, realistic pricing or professional marketing. Especially when selling real estate in Dresden – with its different locations, price zones and target groups – an experienced estate agent is often the key to a successful transaction.
What does a real estate agent in Dresden cost?
In Saxony, the broker’s commission is usually split between the buyer and seller. The exact amount and breakdown of the brokerage fee is specified in the brokerage contract. Payment is only made in the event of success – if a purchase contract is concluded.
Can I sell my property myself?
Yes, this is possible in principle. However, specialist knowledge is required, especially in the dynamic Dresden real estate market – for example on legal requirements, realistic sales prices or the optimal way to address target groups. If you want to sell your property privately, you should be aware of the effort and risks involved – and consider professional support if necessary.