older house / purchase contract

Hello,
we are somehow uncertain because we are not very familiar with this.

We want to buy an older house through a real estate agent. The owner is still looking for the rental apartment and wants to have the possibility to search for another 6 months and live in the house. According to the agent, the sales amount is due at her move. At what point will we become the owners? We do not want a tenant in our house... and to pay taxes already now.... what is usually done in such a situation?

It might also be useful that some expert/advisor inspects the house and tells us if it is okay (renovated in 2003). Do you have any idea who that should be?

Thank you very much in advance for the answers!

Hello Andrea,

...we want to buy an older house through a real estate agent. The owner is still looking for an apartment to rent and would like to have the possibility to search for another 6 months and live in the house. According to the agent, the purchase price is due when she moves out. At what point do we become the owners? ...it might also be sensible for some specialist/advisor to inspect the house and tell us whether it is okay (renovated in 2003). Do you have any idea who that should be?

First of all, you should not buy the house like a television; we are certainly talking about an amount in the 5/6-figure range. In my opinion, it is absolutely necessary to carry out a precise valuation. There are appraisers nationwide who specialize in the valuation of built and unbuilt properties. Most likely, your financing bank will require an appraisal anyway, and then you are well positioned with Sprengnetter, as they work for many mortgage lenders.

Only when it is clear what and how much you get for your money and which investments will still be necessary after the transfer of ownership (e.g., heating system or windows, etc.) are you in a position to make a decision!

Regarding the current owner's request, you should think very carefully here. The moment the priority notice of conveyance is deleted – meaning the money has been paid and you are the new owners – you also become the invoice recipient (not only for property tax) and thus the landlord for the former owner. There are different ways you can accommodate the lady (if you consider doing so) or avoid resulting potential conflicts (to the greatest extent possible). For this, you should consult a lawyer you trust and discuss the various options with him. We/I in the forum are not allowed to provide legal advice; that is the exclusive domain of lawyers.

Kind regards

Thank you very much for your response.

We will immediately look for experts and lawyers.