Selling a house, villa or apartment in Sweden as a foreigner involves a structured process, and understanding the key steps is crucial for a successful transaction. As a foreigner, you have the same rights to buy, own, and sell property in Sweden as local Swedish citizens. While selling independently is an option, the common approach is to enlist the services of a real estate agent, whose fees are almost always covered by the seller unless there is an agreement with the buyer to cover costs and commissions.
The initial decision involves choosing between selling privately or engaging a professional. Selling without an agent requires fluency in Swedish and a comprehensive understanding of the relevant property laws and regulations. If you opt for this route, platforms like Blocket Bostad and Booli (via Privatmäklaren) can be used for marketing. Alternatively, hybrid or online agents offer a middle ground, where you handle some aspects while they manage others for a reduced fee. For a traditional approach, selecting a reputable local agent familiar with your market is key to setting the right price. It’s important to know that Swedish law mandates agents to act impartially between buyer and seller, and the Swedish Estate Agents Inspectorate (Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen) provides recourse if you believe an agent has acted improperly. Offers are typically made through the agent, who facilitates communication between both parties.
Preparing your property for sale is a critical step. This involves making any necessary repairs and upgrades to enhance its appeal. Decluttering and removing personal items like photos and collectibles allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the space. Thorough cleaning and addressing any maintenance issues create a positive impression and can increase the property’s value. Neutralizing the décor through repainting and updating fixtures can broaden its appeal. Staging the home with thoughtfully arranged furniture highlights its best features. High-quality photographs, ideally taken by a professional, are essential for effective online and print marketing. Considering hiring an independent building surveyor to provide a report on the property’s condition can also give potential buyers valuable insights.
Advertising your property is typically handled by your agent, who will list it on various online portals and possibly in local newspapers to reach a wide audience. Showing the property to prospective buyers and answering their questions is a key part of the process. Once an interested buyer is found, you’ll work with your agent to negotiate the terms of the sale. The final step is closing the sale, where you, the buyer, and the agent meet to sign the contracts. After a signed purchase agreement (Köpeavtal) is in place, your agent will help finalize the transaction and manage the necessary paperwork. On the access day (or the day before), the buyer usually conducts a final inspection. On the access day itself, you’ll meet at a Swedish bank or the agent’s office to hand over the keys. The buyer’s bank will manage the settlement of any existing mortgages on the property and transfer the remaining funds to your account. You will also sign a final contract of sale (Köpebrev), which serves as proof of the buyer’s new ownership and is used for land registration. Within a few weeks, you’ll receive confirmation of the completed land registration.
Regarding responsibility for faults, Swedish law holds sellers potentially liable for hidden defects for up to ten years after the sale, though the interpretation of “hidden defects” is quite narrow, with most issues discovered after purchase falling under the buyer’s responsibility. Consequently, it’s common practice for buyers in Sweden to hire an independent building surveyor. The legal system places significant responsibility on the buyer to thoroughly investigate the property, meaning sellers are generally not liable for issues that could have been discovered through a diligent inspection. Selling costs primarily include capital gains tax (currently 22% of the profit, though deductions for selling expenses and improvements made during your ownership are possible; consult the Swedish Tax Agency for detailed information) and the agent’s fees, which typically range from 1.5% to 3% of the selling price, although online and hybrid agents may offer significantly lower fixed fees and some international agents charge the commision to the buyer instead of the seller.
