How long does it take to sell a house in Belgium? Average timescales and key stages in the Belgian property market

When you decide to sell your home in Belgium, it is natural to wonder: “How long will it take?”. The answer depends on many factors, but it is essential to understand the various stages of the process to gain a clear idea of the timescales involved.

1. Preparing for the sale: 2 to 6 weeks

Before your home is even placed on the market, several steps must be completed:

• Gathering the necessary documents : documents such as the energy performance certificate (PEB), the electrical installation compliance certificate and planning information must be gathered. This stage can take up to one month depending on the availability of the documents and the responsiveness of the local authorities. Download our checklist by completing this form. 
• Valuation and setting the price : an accurate valuation of your property is important in determining a realistic asking price. This can be carried out by a property expert or your estate agent and generally takes a few days to a week. Do not hesitate to request your free valuation from J&J Properties. It is free and, above all, comes with no obligation! 
• Creating the property listing : once the price has been set, the listing must be prepared, including professional photographs, an appealing description and a marketing strategy. This can take 1 to 2 weeks. (More advice here: 5 tips for creating a compelling property listing)
• Optional : carrying out refurbishment work. Read this article to find out whether undertaking such a project would be worthwhile for you.

2. Placing the property on the market and finding a buyer: 1 to 6 months

Once the house is on the market, the time required to find a buyer can vary:

• Viewings and negotiations : Once the listing has been published, viewings begin. The time required to find a serious buyer varies between 1 and 6 months, depending on the factors mentioned previously, such as location, price and market conditions.
• Accepting an offer : After the viewings, if an acceptable offer is made, you can accept it. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the negotiations.

Note: To speed up the process, we have published an article offering some useful advice: How can you sell your home more quickly in Belgium? Tips and advice for reducing the time it takes to sell.

3. The sale agreement: 2 to 6 weeks

Once an offer has been accepted, the next step is to sign the sale agreement:

Drafting and signing : The sale agreement is a legal document that commits both parties to completing the sale. Its preparation by the seller’s notary can take approximately 2 to 4 weeks. After signing, the buyer has 15 days to secure a mortgage, if required.

4. Completion of the sale (deed): 2 to 4 months (maximum after signing the sale agreement)

After the sale agreement has been signed, there are still a few steps before the sale is finalised:

• The deed of sale at the notary’s office (drawn up by the buyer’s notary): between signing the sale agreement and executing the final deed of sale before the notary, the statutory maximum period is 4 months. This period includes checking all the documents and registering the sale with the tax authorities. However, it may be reduced to 2 months if all the formalities are in order and the parties wish to complete quickly.
• Handing over the keys: once the deed has been signed, ownership is officially transferred to the buyer, who then receives the keys. The meter readings and transfers are also completed.

Conclusion: An overview of the timeframes

In summary, selling a house in Belgium can take between 5 and 10 months on average, from the start of the preparation process through to signing the final deed of sale. This timeframe includes:

• 2 to 4 weeks to prepare the property for sale.
• 3 to 6 months to find a buyer and accept an offer.
• 4 to 6 weeks to sign the sale agreement.
• 2 to 4 months to finalise the deed of sale at the notary’s office.

These timeframes may vary depending on the specific features of your property and the local property market. To optimise these timeframes and ensure a successful sale, it is advisable to prepare each stage carefully and seek support from qualified professionals.

Would you like to discover how to showcase your property and sell it in no time? Discover our ultimate guide to selling without an estate agency, in which we reveal all the closely guarded secrets of estate agents. Find out more here!