Buying an Apartment Step by Step — Notary, Registry, Taxes 2026

Buying an apartment is the largest transaction of your life — and most buyers find themselves in a notary's office for the first time. This guide breaks the process into 7 steps, so that no signature comes as a surprise.

7 steps from the extract to the keys

First — the extract from the Public Registry: the owner, liens, mortgage. Second — the preliminary agreement and deposit. Third — the purchase agreement before a notary. Fourth — payment of the amount (by bank transfer, with a receipt). Fifth — registration in the Public Registry within 1-4 days. Sixth — transferring the utilities into your name. Seventh — the keys and the handover act.

Every fee in one table

The registration fee — symbolic, depending on the deadline (expedited costs more). Notarial services — 100 to 300 dollars depending on the transaction's complexity. The annual property tax — 0.05-0.2% of the assessed value depending on the municipality. The agent's commission — 1-3%, usually on the seller's side. Buying with a mortgage adds the bank's commission and insurance.

5 scams and the defense

"I am the owner's relative" — deal only with the person named in the extract. The photo is of someone else's apartment — an in-person viewing is essential. The price is "today only" — check the market with the AI price estimate. A deposit without a receipt — never. "It will be in the registry tomorrow" — the amount after registration, or via a bank letter of credit. sivrce's verification checks the owner's identity and the authenticity of the photos — choose verified listings.