Real Estate Conveyancing Attorney for Property Sellers – Legal Due Diligence & Secure Transfer

Are you selling a property? Before listing your property or meeting your first prospective buyer, there is a critical step that few sellers take, but later everyone wishes they had: a proactive legal title search and property audit. Unreported structural modifications, a forgotten old mortgage, an error in the National Cadastre registration, or unpaid inheritance tax – these issues are typically uncovered at the final moment right before closing, causing the sale to be delayed or fall through entirely. At Estate & Law, we detect every single outstanding liability before the buyer finds it – and we resolve it.

What Our Service Includes

We manage the entire legal process of selling real estate, from the initial evaluation through to the completion of the formal registry transfer:

• In-depth 20-year title search – verifying the chain of ownership and identifying any irregularities
• Encumbrance check – identifying mortgages, pre-notations, foreclosures, or third-party claims
• Zoning and building compliance audit – comparing the property’s current state against approved architectural plans to spot unauthorized modifications
• Cadastre registry check – ensuring correct registration and alignment with the Land Registry archives
• Drafting or reviewing the preliminary agreement with absolute protection of your legal interests
• Coordination with notary publics, civil engineers & tax consultants to ensure a seamless transaction closing without friction
• Full remote management tailored for overseas owners or clients based in other regions

The Property Selling Process – Step by Step

1. Legal & zoning due diligence We thoroughly inspect titles, liens, Cadastre entries, and planning compliance. We deliver a complete overview of your property’s status in 60 minutes.
2. Resolving pending liabilities If unauthorized structural changes, encumbrances, or missing documents are discovered, we manage their resolution before a buyer ever steps forward.
3. Drafting or reviewing the preliminary agreement A preliminary contract must actively protect you – not just record an informal agreement. We audit every clause.
4. Signing the definitive contract Your dedicated attorney is present at every step, executing full oversight of supporting documents and tax compliance obligations.
5. Registration & closing completion Legal ownership transfers to the buyer only upon formal registration. We ensure this is handled immediately and accurately.

Why Choose Estate & Law

We are not a general practice law firm that handles real estate on the side. We specialize exclusively in property and real estate law – and that is what sets us apart.

✓ Comprehensive Analysis in 60 Minutes In just a single consultation, you receive a full breakdown of your property’s legal standing, a precise checklist of pending items to resolve, and a clear timeline. No vague generalities.

✓ Remote Management – From Anywhere Are you an owner living abroad or in another city? We manage your entire sale completely remotely, utilizing digital communication and power of attorney frameworks where required.

✓ Over 35 Years of Real Estate Legal Expertise We have successfully represented clients across all national courts as well as before international bodies.

✓ Supreme Court Attorney & Accredited Mediator For highly complex or contentious disputes, we possess the specific legal tools required to achieve resolutions out of court.

When You Absolutely Need an Attorney Before Listing Your Property

Several scenarios may appear straightforward on the surface but often conceal critical legal liabilities:

• The property was acquired via inheritance, and the formal acceptance of inheritance or tax declarations have not yet been finalized
• There is an enclosed balcony, loft, or storage space constructed without a proper building permit
• The property is held under co-ownership, and the other co-owner is uncooperative
• There is an old mortgage facility that has been paid off but never formally canceled at the registry
• The property is located in an area affected by forestry map disputes or pending cadastral corrections
• The prospective buyer is an international investor with specific structural requirements (such as Golden Visa applicants)

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Property Sales

Do I absolutely need an attorney to sell property in Greece? While the law does not strictly mandate it for sellers, in practice, the answer is yes. The notary public acts as a neutral party serving both sides – they do not exclusively defend your personal financial and legal interests. A dedicated real estate attorney who executes title verification, negotiates the preliminary contract, and oversees the final deed is the only professional protecting you alone.

How much does a legal property check cost for a sale? The overall cost depends on the complexity of the case and the volume of title deeds that require historical audit. At Estate & Law, we provide transparent pricing right from your first consultation – with zero hidden fees.

What documents do I need to sell a property? The baseline documents required to sign a definitive deed include: ownership title deeds, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), an engineer’s certificate of structural legality, an ENFIA property tax clearance certificate, a tax clearance certificate, and proof of a Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM). If unauthorized modifications exist, they must be legally settled first. If a mortgage exists, it must be officially discharged. Your attorney ensures everything is prepared on time.

Can I sell a property that has unauthorized structural modifications? It depends. If the modifications have been formally legalized and settled under Law 4495/2017, the sale is permitted. If they remain unresolved, transferring the property is prohibited by law. In certain instances, a buyer may agree to assume the legalization process, but this must be explicitly factored into the purchase price and closing contract.

How long does the real estate sale process take? For a property free of any pending legal liabilities: 3 to 6 weeks from the initial price agreement to the signing of the definitive contract. If liabilities exist – such as structural irregularities, liens, or cadastral issues – the timeframe depends on their nature. We identify these early and provide a realistic timeline during our first meeting.

What happens if there is an old mortgage registered against my property? The mortgage must be formally discharged and removed from the public registry books prior to or during the contract signing. A simple bank receipt of payoff is insufficient; a specific legal cancellation procedure is required. We fully coordinate with the banking institution to finalize the discharge.

What happens if the buyer defaults on the preliminary agreement? Provided the preliminary agreement was executed before a notary public and includes a formal deposit/earnest money clause, you retain the legal right to keep the deposit. Concurrently, you may claim damages for any additional financial loss. If the preliminary contract was poorly drafted, your legal remedies may be heavily restricted – which is why professional drafting is vital.

Can I sell a property I inherited if I haven’t formally accepted the inheritance yet? No. Without executing a formal acceptance of inheritance, you are not yet the legally recognized owner of the asset in the eyes of the state, meaning you cannot transfer it. The process of inheritance acceptance, inheritance tax filing, and registration with the Cadastre must be completed first. Our firm manages this entire sequence for you.

Can an international buyer purchase my property? Yes, subject to certain additional administrative procedures depending on their nationality (particularly for non-EU citizens or properties located in designated border regions). We are highly experienced in cross-border transactions and sales executed within the scope of the Golden Visa program.

Can I manage the entire sale from abroad without traveling to Greece? To a very large extent, yes. By executing a tailored power of attorney, we can manage the legal due diligence, document gathering, terms negotiation, and notary coordination entirely on your behalf. Physical presence is only required in highly specific, exceptional circumstances.

How do we begin working together? It all starts with a 60-minute consultation – either in person or remotely. In this single session, you will receive a comprehensive view of your property’s legal standing, a detailed action plan of liabilities to resolve, a precise timeline, and a clear quote. No vague advice, no surprise charges.

Are you selling a property? Take the right first step.

In a single 60-minute consultation, we deliver a complete legal assessment of your property alongside a concrete action plan. No vague promises – just results.

Remote legal representation is fully available for overseas owners and clients based outside our primary office location.