ᐅ Appointment with a notary for certification – any experiences?

Hello dear forum members,

We are planning to buy a house and have already received a draft contract by email from the notary (on 14.02.). I just spoke with the real estate agent, who proposed a notarization appointment between 25.02. and 28.02. If we were to sign on 28.02., that would be just 14 days since the contract draft was sent. The problem is that the current owner is abroad and will only be in Germany between 25.02. and 28.02., which is why the signing must take place during that period. However, this is too short notice for us (we want to have the contract reviewed and need to work between 25.02. and 28.02.). Could it have negative consequences if we say we are not available at that time? For example, could the seller decide to sell to someone else? Especially considering that the owner does not live in Germany and will only be in the country for those four days. We are not quite sure how to proceed. Fourteen days between receiving the draft and signing is not much time.

We want to have the contract reviewed by a professional. Is it better to consult a specialized lawyer or to get in touch with the responsible notary?

Thank you very much for your answers =)

I would definitely not attend an early appointment just because the seller isn’t available. Don’t let yourselves be pressured. He will come back. After all, he wants to sell the property. And unless he’s coming from Australia, the seller will return. It’s not easy to find a new buyer that quickly.

In the end, you’ll be the ones at a disadvantage if this was a trick to avoid contract review.

Reviewing a contract can be done in one day. You don’t need to call the responsible notary. Find a lawyer specialized in property law and ask for a short-notice appointment. If you can’t get one and can’t take time off work, it’s anyway pointless. But: if the seller won’t be available for another three months, you will be frustrated as well.

I don’t quite understand either. Why aren’t 14 days enough? Or have you not seen the property yet and are referring to the entire inspection process including an expert report, etc., when you say 14 days?

We were told that there must be at least 14 days between receiving the notary draft and signing.

Contract review aside: if you want something, you sometimes have to bite the bullet and take time off during the notary’s office hours, especially since the sellers are coming from out of town.
For me, the notary appointments weren’t fast enough at all...