How to Sell a Property Quickly in Lithuania

Published on January 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Selling quickly and successfully in Lithuania is not just a matter of luck. The Lithuanian real estate market is structured, highly digitalized, and strongly seasonal. Between the legal framework, taxation, listing platforms, and buyer expectations in Vilnius, Kaunas, or Klaipėda, a fast sale relies on a series of very concrete decisions: choosing the right time, setting the right price, preparing flawless photos, securing the documents, and negotiating intelligently.

Understanding the Lithuanian market before listing

Even before setting a price or publishing an ad, it is useful to understand the macroeconomic context and local dynamics. Lithuania has a stable economy with growth around 2.7 to over 3% per year, inflation back under control, and a resurgent mortgage market (a record of new home loans of around 240 million euros issued in a single month in early 2025). This translates into real demand, but more rational than in 2021–2022, when prices were climbing over 20% per year in some segments.

Therefore, for a quick sale, you need to reason with data, not intuition.

Marked regional variations

Price gaps between cities and regions are significant. Understanding these levels provides a realistic framework for setting the starting price.

City / Area	Avg. Apartment Price (€/m²)	Recent Annual Change	Key Comment
Vilnius	~2,646–2,700	+2–3.3%	Most expensive and stable market
Kaunas	~1,846–1,850	+5–5.6%	Faster growth than Vilnius
Klaipėda	~1,752–1,750	+5–5.4%	Supported by port activity
Šiauliai	~1,172	+6–6.5%	Among the most dynamic markets
Panevėžys	~1,149	+6–6.4%	Rapid increase, but levels still low
Rural areas	<1,000	Variable	Up to 40–70% cheaper than Vilnius

In Vilnius, a one-bedroom apartment typically sells for between €70,000 and €120,000, and a three-room apartment for between €150,000 and €300,000, depending on the neighborhood and condition. Kaunas and Klaipėda remain, overall, 15–20% cheaper than the capital, while Šiauliai and Panevėžys still offer very affordable prices, but with rapid growth.

Seasonal effect: choosing the right time to sell fast

The Lithuanian market is distinctly seasonal. Data shows:

Period	Activity Level / Prices	Impact on Quick Sale
November – February	Lowest prices, slow market	Fewer buyers, but sellers more flexible
April – July	Transaction peak	Best time to find a buyer quickly
March – June	Maximum supply (many listings)	Strong competition, but strong demand
September – October	Second activity peak	Good compromise between price and speed
December – January	Longest closing period (60–90 days)	Avoid for an ultra-fast sale

In practice, two strategies are possible:

– Aim for pure speed: list in spring or early summer, or at the start of the school year (September-October), when buyers are most active and finalization times often range between 30 and 45 days;

– Or take advantage of winter if you are ready to negotiate more, as buyers then get an average 3 to 7% discount (even stronger in rural areas), but they are fewer.

In Vilnius, seasonal price fluctuations are more moderate (3–5% difference between low and peak) than in the provinces (up to 10–15% in rural areas), which allows focusing more on pricing and presentation strategy than on timing alone.

Setting a price that attracts visits (without underselling)

In major Lithuanian cities, completed sales are on average 2 to 5% below the listed price. This means most buyers negotiate a little (30 to 50% of buyers get a reduction), but margins are not unlimited, especially in highly sought-after neighborhoods of Vilnius (Naujamiestis, Paupys, Senamiestis, Žvėrynas, Šnipiškės), where room for negotiation is limited.

For a quick sale, the method that works best is to position the listing slightly below the “market” while targeting a final price close to recent transactions.

How to calculate an effective starting price

The key is to compare with actual completed sales, not just online listings. You can:

Once this work is done, a very concrete strategy to sell fast is to:

– Set a listing price about 2–3% below the average level of recent transactions for comparable properties;

– Anticipate a 2–5% negotiation to reach a final price consistent with the real value.

Conversely, an overestimation of 10% relative to the market almost systematically leads to a significant lengthening of the time to sell, especially in a market where new supply remains abundant in Vilnius (over 4,500 new homes available at the end of 2024, nearly one-third already completed).

Considering property type and real demand

Not all properties sell at the same pace. Recent data shows that:

For a quick sale, an older, energy-inefficient apartment will often need to be offered at an attractive level to compensate for its flaws, while a downtown Class A or B property, well-insulated and well-maintained, can command a more ambitious positioning, provided the presentation is flawless.

Preparing the property: home staging as a sales accelerator

A well-prepared property sells not only for more but also faster. International home staging studies indicate that over 80% of buyer’s agents believe a staged home helps visitors envision themselves living there better. In Lithuania, where online listings are abundant (over 50,000 active listings on Aruodas.lt alone), standing out visually is a necessity.

Depersonalize, declutter, clean

The first step for anyone wanting to sell fast is to make the property as neutral and spacious as possible. This involves several actions:

A clean, tidy, and neutral property is much more photogenic and attracts more attention on portals where users browse dozens of listings in minutes.

Modernize at low cost

It’s not always relevant to undertake major renovations before the sale, but a few targeted investments prove effective for speeding up the signing:

These adjustments improve both the feel during viewings and the quality of the photos. In a market where buyers are sensitive to heating costs and future work, a “move-in ready” home generally sells faster.

Care for light, smells, and ambiance during viewings

On viewing days, a few simple gestures can win over a buyer:

– Open blinds and curtains, turn on all lights to maximize brightness;

– Air out rooms, avoid strong smells (tobacco, frying), favor subtle scents (flowers, light candles);

– Highlight the main rooms (living room, kitchen, master bedroom) with light textiles and minimal, coherent decoration.

The goal is not just to “show a house”, but to sell a credible and appealing lifestyle for your target (family, investor, expat, etc.).

Bet on professional photos to capture more buyers

In Lithuania, practically all transactions go through online portals, and competition is largely based on the first visual impression. Studies conducted in different markets show that listings with high-quality photos attract twice as much interest, generate more visits, and lead to faster sales. The Lithuanian market is no exception.

Why photos are decisive

Aruodas.lt and Domoplius.lt have standardized a high level of illustration: most professional listings feature 15 to 30 high-resolution photos, often accompanied by floor plans and sometimes virtual tours. On Aruodas.lt, about 80% of listings include a floor plan and nearly 35% offer a 360° tour. A private seller content with a few dark smartphone shots immediately falls behind competing listings.

How a professional photo session works

The photographer:

– Often sends a checklist beforehand (tidy up, remove personal items, open curtains, etc.);

– Comes on-site with their equipment, without you necessarily needing to be present, as long as access is arranged;

– Takes a complete series of shots: exterior, stairwell, main rooms, outbuildings, view, amenities, sometimes the neighborhood and local facilities;

– Delivers a suitable number of photos for the property size (in practice, 30–40 for a small apartment, 50–70 for a family home) via a download link.

Daytime shots are preferred, with all lights on. Retouching typically includes light and color correction, and removal of specific elements (wires, distracting reflections). More advanced retouching (changing a wall color, adding green grass to a winter garden) may be offered as an extra service.

Guidelines for real estate photography

Virtual tours, drone, and 3D plans: accelerators in a competitive market

Additional tools like 360° virtual tours, drone shots, or 3D plans further increase visibility. They are particularly effective:

– For high-end properties (prestige houses, hotels, large plots);

– For foreign buyers who cannot easily visit in person;

– For atypical properties (castles, farms, commercial complexes) where the volume and environment are hard to grasp from simple photos.

In a country where many investors come from abroad (Scandinavia, Germany, Belgium, etc.), these tools can significantly accelerate turning a simple inquiry into an on-site visit or a firm offer.

Using the right portals to reach the maximum number of buyers

In Lithuania, local specialized platforms largely dominate real estate searches. To sell quickly, it is essential to be present on the sites that buyers actually consult.

Aruodas.lt: the essential showcase

Aruodas.lt accounts for about 75% of Lithuanian real estate transactions at some point in the process. With over 50,000 active listings (including about 3,000–4,000 apartments just in central Vilnius), the site covers all cities and rural areas, offers extremely detailed filters (building materials, heating type, energy class, year of construction, etc.), and displays for each listing:

– The listing date;

– The number of days on the market;

– The price change history.

This information is valuable for calibrating your own price and understanding the competition. It also allows the buyer to identify properties that have been “lingering” and are potentially negotiable.

Domoplius.lt and other local platforms

Domoplius.lt is the second major platform, with about 35,000 listings, also widely used by locals. Many buyers systematically cross-check Aruodas and Domoplius to miss nothing.

In small towns and the countryside, other classifieds sites like Skelbiu.lt or Skelbimai.lt remain active, especially for private sellers wishing to avoid agency fees. However, these platforms account for less than 15% of overall activity.

International platforms: useful but secondary

International sites like Realting.com or Trimaja.com list Lithuanian properties, mostly high-end or new builds, with a strong focus on foreign buyers. Their inventory remains more limited (3,000 to 5,000 properties), but they can be an interesting complementary channel if your property clearly targets an international clientele (e.g., a luxury apartment in Vilnius or a vacation home in Palanga or Nida).

However, for a quick sale targeting a local buyer, Lithuanian platforms are by far the most effective.

Preparing documents well to avoid delays

One of the main obstacles to quick transactions in Lithuania is not a lack of buyers, but incomplete or erroneous paperwork. The system is efficient, however: sales are governed by the Civil Code, the Law on Real Estate Registration, and managed via the Center of Registers (Registrų centras). Most formalities are done electronically, through a notary who acts as a one-stop shop.

Essential documents for listing

To avoid delays once a buyer is found, it is advisable to gather in advance:

A seller who arrives at the notary with a complete dossier can hope to finalize the sale and register the property in the buyer’s name within a few days (the registry decision takes an average of 2.5 days, with the possibility of urgent processing in one day).

Securing the transaction: preliminary agreement and deposit

The common practice in Lithuania is to sign a preliminary sale agreement as soon as a serious buyer appears. This pre-contract defines the price, timeline, special conditions, and is accompanied by a deposit (5 to 10% of the price), usually paid into an escrow account or to the agency.

This deposit:

– Secures the buyer’s commitment;

– Allows the seller to stop viewings without fearing a last-minute withdrawal;

– Limits legal risk in case of dispute, as conditions for refund or retention of the deposit are set in advance.

The final agreement is then signed before a notary. Without notarial certification, the real estate sale is void. The notary is responsible for verifying compliance with legal rules, authenticating signatures, and submitting the deed to the registry to formalize the property transfer.

Navigating taxation to avoid slowing the sale

To sell quickly, it is important for the seller to understand the tax cost of the operation. Uncertainty about the tax to pay can lead them to delay or renegotiate at the last minute, which lengthens the sale time.

Capital gains and holding period: when is the capital gain taxed?

Two regimes overlap in the available texts: a general income tax framework (Personal Income Tax, often at 15%) and specific capital gains taxation rules based on holding period and property nature.

Information from the indicated sources notably states that:

The taxable base can be reduced by:

– A flat deduction of 25% of the purchase price for expenses;

– Taking into account renovation works justified by invoices;

– An “annual permitted gain” of 5% of the purchase price per year of ownership.

Other transaction costs

Direct costs related to the sale include:

– Notary fees, around 0.33–0.45% of the price, capped (cap often around €5,000–€5,800);

– Registration fees at the Center of Registers, varying according to property value (from a few euros to over €1,000);

– Agency fees, generally in the order of 3% of the sale price (sometimes a bit more or negotiated down for large amounts).

There is no transfer tax of the “stamp duty” type on standard residential resales. However, 21% VAT may apply to sales of new properties or specific commercial transactions.

Knowing these charges in advance allows for precise calculation of the net sale proceeds and avoids improvised revisions of the asking price.

Should you use a real estate agent to sell fast?

The Lithuanian market has many active agencies (Rebaltic, Centro Kubas, Anrealty, Capital, etc.) and hundreds of brokers affiliated with the Lithuanian Real Estate Association. Fees are mostly around 3% of the sale price. Should you spend this amount if you mainly want to sell quickly?

Concrete advantages for sale speed

An experienced agent brings several useful levers to speed up the process:

Lithuanian agencies also use an MLS-like system (shared database) that allows them to quickly broadcast the existence of your property to a network of other brokers, which increases the number of potential candidates.

The risks of “for sale by owner”

Studies conducted in other markets show that a significant proportion of sellers without an agent make legal errors and often sell for less than with an intermediary. One cited figure indicates that about 36% of sellers who go without an agent admit encountering legal difficulties, and that properties sold via a professional can sell for significantly more on average than private sales.

Negotiating without slowing down the transaction

Once the first offers are received, the way you negotiate can either accelerate or unnecessarily prolong the sale.

Understanding the usual room for maneuver

Statistics indicate:

– An average discount of 2 to 5% between the listed price and the final price in cities;

– Larger discounts (5 to 10%) for:

– Rural properties,

– Properties in poor condition,

– Listings that have been on the market for several months without price adjustment.

Lithuanian sellers appreciate cash offers for the certainty and speed they offer, but the specific discount granted to cash-paying buyers is generally moderate: around 2 to 3%, exceptionally up to 5% in very urgent sales or for properties hard to finance.

Set your priorities: price, timeline, certainty

To sell fast, it is often better to value security and smoothness over every extra percentage point. For example:

– Accept an offer slightly below the hoped-for price, but from a buyer already pre-approved by their bank and ready to sign quickly;

– Prioritize a short closing timeline (30–45 days) even if the buyer asks for a small concession on furniture or the handover date.

A good practice is to clearly list your priorities before entering negotiations: minimum net seller amount, maximum acceptable timeline, flexibility on move-out dates or inclusion of certain fixtures.

Managing multiple offers

In a dynamic market like Vilnius or in resort towns (Palanga, Nida, Druskininkai, Birštonas), it is common to receive multiple offers in a short time, especially if the property is well presented and correctly priced.

– Set a deadline to receive offers, to compare them all at once;

– Evaluate each proposal not only on price, but also on:

– Financing method (cash vs loan),

– Desired timelines,

– Contingent conditions (sale of another property, loan approval, etc.);

– Go back to the best candidate(s) with a clear counter-proposal and short response deadlines.

The goal is not to start a bidding war at all costs, but to select the strongest offer, capable of quickly leading to the notarial deed.

Taking advantage of local dynamics to sell faster

Finally, sale speed also depends on location and the specific context of each area.

Vilnius: deep market, stable prices, demanding buyers

With over 600,000 inhabitants and sustained demographic growth, Vilnius has the most liquid and stable market in the country. Prices are high, but demand is continuous, driven notably by:

– An influx of young professionals and families;

– Office park development (over 24,000 m² of new office space delivered in a single year, and more to come);

– The expected presence of a German brigade and their families, likely to strengthen rental demand.

To sell fast in the capital:

Kaunas and Klaipėda: good alternatives to Vilnius costs

These two cities are distinguished by prices approximately 15–20% lower than Vilnius, but with rapid growth in values and rents. Kaunas benefits from its strategic positioning in the center of the country, Klaipėda from its port and proximity to the Baltic Sea.

Well-located and competitively priced properties find buyers quickly, particularly:

– Recent, well-equipped apartments;

– Homes close to universities or employment zones;

– Rental products offering 6–7% yields.

Resorts and rural areas: speed rhymes with correct price

Coastal areas like Palanga and Nida show very high rental yields (7–9%), but strongly seasonal. A correctly positioned property (distance to the sea, view, access) can sell very quickly if:

– The price accounts for the strong seasonality of income;

– The quality of construction and finishes matches the targeted segment (second home, tourist rental, etc.).

In rural areas, however, demand is more limited and very price-sensitive. Seasonal gaps are strongest there (up to 8–15% between winter and summer). To quickly sell a country house or land, it is often necessary to offer an attractive price from the start, accepting wider negotiation margins than in big cities.

In summary: the recipe for a fast sale in Lithuania

Selling a property quickly in Lithuania relies on a coherent sequence of decisions:

By combining these elements, a seller significantly increases their chances of turning a simple listing into a successful transaction, within timelines compatible with their plans, whether in Vilnius, Kaunas, on the coast, or in the heart of the Lithuanian countryside.