The asking price is not always the sale price
A listing shows what the seller asks. Completed-sale statistics describe prices in transactions that actually took place. A portal figure and an official statistic can therefore differ without either being wrong.
Before drawing conclusions, check the price's source and dates. News about an entire municipality helps explain the market, but does not by itself establish the value of the flat you visit.
- Distinguish asking prices from amounts paid.
- Check the year and area of each figure.
- Look for the number of sales used where stated.
Compare the same type of floor area
One listing may highlight usable area, the space available within the home, and another built area, which includes walls and may include a share of common areas. Mixing them can make price per square metre misleading.
Also ask whether the price includes a garage, storage room or terrace. A terrace is not used in the same way as a bedroom: examine it separately rather than adding it to interior space as if both were the same type of area.
- Ask whether the area is usable or built.
- Check how garage, storage room and shared areas are counted.
- Compare terraces separately from interior space.
Find homes that are genuinely similar
Choose homes meeting similar needs. A third-floor flat without a lift and one with a lift may be in the same street and have different prices for reasons that matter in everyday life.
Check the kitchen, installations, light and spaces included in each listing. If one needs work and another is ready to occupy, record that difference before deciding which looks cheaper.
- Compare floor, lift and condition.
- Check what each price includes.
- Record when you saw the listing and what information is missing.
Add the work you will need to pay for later
The purchase price is one part of your decision. If windows, installations or renovations are needed, request quotations for work you can already define. An unknown amount remains a cost to clarify.
Use this information to ask questions and negotiate. If you need a professional valuation, request one: comparing listings or a neighbourhood average does not replace that work.
- List work you consider necessary.
- Request quotations before assuming its cost.
- Separate the purchase price from later expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is the postcode average what my flat is worth?
No. The figure combines homes from an area and period. Your flat may differ in area, floor, condition, lift or included spaces. The average offers orientation, not an exact price.
Is comparing three listings enough?
They can help you start if the homes are similar and you understand what each includes. Listings show asking prices, not necessarily prices paid, and do not replace a valuation.
Where to consult this information
These official pages help you learn more and prepare your questions.