Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Sale Agreement
I need a sale agreement for a residential property in Berlin, including details on the purchase price, payment schedule, and transfer of ownership. The agreement should also outline any contingencies related to financing and property inspections, and specify a closing date within 60 days.
What is a Sale Agreement?
A Sale Agreement (Kaufvertrag) is a legally binding contract where one party agrees to transfer ownership of goods or property to another in exchange for payment. Under German Civil Code (BGB), these agreements must clearly specify the items being sold, the purchase price, and delivery terms to be enforceable.
Beyond basic sales terms, German Sale Agreements typically include warranty provisions, liability limits, and specific performance obligations for both buyer and seller. For high-value transactions like real estate or business assets, the agreement must be notarized (beurkundet) to be valid. This formal document protects both parties by setting clear expectations and legal remedies if something goes wrong.
When should you use a Sale Agreement?
Use a Sale Agreement any time you're selling or buying significant items in Germany—from business equipment and vehicles to real estate and company shares. The agreement becomes especially important when dealing with high-value transactions, complex delivery arrangements, or items that need specific warranty terms.
German law requires written Sale Agreements for real estate transactions and recommends them for any sale above 500 euros. Having a proper agreement helps avoid disputes about price, payment terms, or product condition. It's particularly valuable when selling used items, as it lets you clearly define any known defects and limit your liability under German warranty laws.
What are the different types of Sale Agreement?
- Land Sale Agreement: For vacant land transactions, requiring notarization and specific zoning/usage clauses under German property law
- Property Sale Agreement: Used for built real estate, including detailed provisions about building condition and fixtures
- Vehicle Sale Agreement: Covers car sales between private parties, focusing on vehicle condition and registration transfer
- Car Sold As Is Contract: Specifically limits seller warranties in used vehicle sales under German law
- Business Purchase And Sale Agreement: For company acquisitions, including detailed provisions about assets, liabilities, and employee transfers
Who should typically use a Sale Agreement?
- Private Sellers and Buyers: Regular citizens using Sale Agreements for personal transactions like cars, homes, or valuable items
- Business Owners: Small and medium enterprises documenting sales of company assets, inventory, or entire business units
- Notaries: Required by German law to authenticate and witness certain Sale Agreements, especially for real estate
- Corporate Legal Teams: Draft and review agreements for large companies, ensuring compliance with German commercial law
- Real Estate Agents: Help prepare and facilitate property Sale Agreements between parties
- Tax Advisors: Review agreements to ensure proper tax treatment and documentation under German tax codes
How do you write a Sale Agreement?
- Basic Details: Gather full legal names, addresses, and tax ID numbers of all parties involved
- Item Description: Document detailed specifications, conditions, and any existing defects of the sale object
- Price Terms: Determine exact purchase price, payment schedule, and acceptable payment methods
- Transfer Details: Plan delivery dates, locations, and responsibility for transfer costs
- Legal Requirements: Check if notarization is needed (mandatory for real estate in Germany)
- Documentation: Collect relevant certificates, permits, or proof of ownership
- Draft Review: Use our platform to generate a legally-sound agreement that meets German requirements
What should be included in a Sale Agreement?
- Party Information: Complete legal names and addresses of buyer and seller (§ 433 BGB)
- Sale Object: Clear, detailed description of items being sold, including condition and specifications
- Purchase Price: Exact amount, currency, and payment terms (including VAT details)
- Transfer Terms: Specific timing and method of ownership transfer (Eigentumsübergang)
- Warranties: Legally required warranty terms or explicit warranty exclusions
- Defect Rights: Buyer's rights regarding hidden defects under German law
- Governing Law: Clear statement that German law applies (typically referencing BGB)
- Signatures: Dated signatures of all parties, with notarization when required
What's the difference between a Sale Agreement and an Asset Purchase Agreement?
A Sale Agreement differs significantly from an Asset Purchase Agreement in several key ways under German law. While both involve transferring ownership, they serve distinct purposes and carry different legal implications.
- Scope and Complexity: Sale Agreements typically handle single items or straightforward transactions, while Asset Purchase Agreements cover multiple assets, often including intangible items like intellectual property and contracts
- Due Diligence Requirements: Asset Purchase Agreements demand extensive due diligence and detailed representations about business operations, while Sale Agreements focus mainly on the specific item's condition
- Legal Formalities: Sale Agreements may require notarization for real estate, but Asset Purchase Agreements often need additional regulatory approvals and complex transfer documentation
- Liability Structure: Asset Purchase Agreements include detailed warranties about business operations and contingent liabilities, whereas Sale Agreements typically have simpler warranty provisions focused on the item's condition
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.