Rent + buy in Potsdam: Building & Renovation – Broker Interview

Real Estate Agent Interview in Potsdam – You want to buy or rent a house or an apartment in Potsdam? But you are still missing the right How Know? You are wondering which costs you have to pay and which is the best type of real estate to invest in? Then you have come to the right place. We have spoken with a real estate agent from Potsdam to learn everything about the current real estate market. First of all, it is important to find the right type of real estate, whether apartment or maisonette apartment, you must be satisfied in the long term. You can expect exciting topics about additional costs, recommendations and popular districts in Potsdam. Back to the overview: Real estate agent Potsdam. Also in Germany in our article: Real Estate Agents Germany.

Rent, buy, live in Potsdam

Our interview partner, has specialized in brokering, selling and renting real estate in Potsdam and the surrounding area. In an interview we talked about attractive districts, financing options and the current real estate market. Here you can learn everything about the first apartment purchase, different types of houses and types of apartments.

Potsdam at a glance:

Potsdam from close up:

Rentals: Service charges

You have decided to rent or even lease a house or apartment in Potsdam? Then you should definitely know more about bedroom furnishing and exclusive terrace design.

Buy: Investment

Find your new home in attractive neighborhoods of Potsdam and avoid serious mistakes in your purchase! Find out what you should know before you buy in this article! Are you also interested in other cities? We have selected other interesting cities for you, such as Düsseldorf, Aachen and Duisburg.

Interview – All about the Potsdam real estate market

Are you looking for a suitable property in Potsdam? But are you wondering which are the most popular districts to live in, whether it is better to rent or to buy, or how high the ancillary costs and taxes are in Potsdam? Then you have come to the right place. Because we have talked to a real estate agent who will answer all your questions about real estate in Potsdam.

Sebastian Wicke: Real estate agent interview

FIV: Before we talk about Potsdam and its real estate market and your recommendations for tenants and buyers, we would like to know a little more about your agency WS Immoconsult Wicke. Could you briefly summarize for our readers what your agency does and what you specialize in?

Sebastian Wicke: For more than 22 years I have been working nationwide on topics related to all kinds of real estate, but I once started in the construction and commercial real estate sector. Already after few years residential real estates came in addition and meanwhile we understand ourselves not only as local brokers for Berlin and Brandenburg, but as competent real estate professional with country wide cross-linking around our customers with each inquiry optimally to further-help to be able.

Our customers appreciate our obliging and above all fast as well as qualified acting. In essence, we live from our good reputation and the recommendations of satisfied customers for Potsdam and also our Berlin business. Our range of services is extensive and regularly adapts to current requirements – so we have also been serving the now booming market with furnished properties, the “temporary living”, for years now.

Our focus services include, of course, the classics such as:

Sale and rental of real estate of various types, whether residential or commercial, both new and existing, whether investment or owner-occupied.

Of course, we also master the discreet sale on request and also carry out larger off-market transactions in the sale of apartment buildings. We are pleased with our large customer base with search profiles of all kinds, which is very helpful and pleasant in this regard. The customer is still king for us – we therefore make a point of being available on weekends or in the evening, when there is simply more time and peace of mind, just as it is needed.

As a rule, our customers are busy with their own jobs during the week and have neither the time nor the nerves for appointments during the week or in the evening. If the property is then in the dark, it is also less fun to get a good first look. In addition, often the partner or the family also want to take a look at the object of desire, and then decide together. For this reason, we and our team are often on the road on Saturday or Sunday.

Single-family house in Potsdam:

Popular real estate in Potsdam

FIV: As a real estate agent in Potsdam, which properties do you personally prefer to broker?

Sebastian Wicke: Of course we enjoy every project, because no two properties and no two clients are the same and there are always individual tasks and “matches” of buyers and sellers or landlords and tenants waiting for us. We never stop learning, which makes it all the more exciting. Personally, vacant residential real estate, whether for sale or rent, is a special joy every time.

Experiencing the transition between previous owners/landlords and their story to the property and seeing the joy of a new buyer/tenant is an exciting and interesting process. We are happy every time to be able to help with the dream of living and to accompany the journey from the viewing to the handover and even afterwards. Investment properties are less emotional, although of course no less exciting with a different intention.

Districts with a future: Bornstedt & Krampnitz

FIV: Neighborhoods for Singles, Families & Co. – For those who don’t live in Potsdam yet and want to move to Potsdam, which neighborhoods have a future? Where should you move to in Potsdam if you want to live nicely?

Sebastian Wicke: For everyone, “beautiful living” is an individual question and solution that we first have to work out together with our customers. One wants it green and quiet, the other urban and lively on the doorstep, the third then family-friendly with a focus on a good connection to Berlin. And Potsdam can do it all! There is a location for everyone here.

Whether it’s the beautiful, historic old town, culture, historic areas with a modern, cautiously redeveloped coat of paint like at Neuer Markt, new development districts like Bornstedt, Neu Fahrland or soon Krampnitz – new districts can always be experienced in Potsdam or old ones perceived in a new way, because there is movement throughout the city. The respective micro-location is different for everyone. But outstanding at the moment is Babelsberg, which has always been sought after and is now more and more in demand.

A view over Bornstedt:

It is developing very rapidly and also boldly, as the planning around the Filmpark shows. Daniel Libeskind’s recently published design for a tower-like new building complex has certainly generated a lot of attention. But the area around Potsdam’s main train station with the RAW site and Speicherstadt also shows how the city is developing.

Living room in a family house:

Price development of current real estate

FIV: Rents are a major issue throughout Germany. How has the real estate market and rental prices in Potsdam developed in recent years and how will they develop in the future?

Sebastian Wicke: As is generally the case throughout Germany, rents in Potsdam have of course risen rapidly in recent years due to many factors and have more than doubled in some cases for new leases in the last 10 years. Due to the very high daily search requests, I do not see a turnaround in the near future. The demand for housing of all kinds is there and rising, whether it’s a 1-room apartment or a 6-room apartment.

The rent increase applies to every property, regardless of price range. Nevertheless, we can always observe a large number of suitable tenants for each property, so that we could immediately let each house or apartment several times over, sometimes with long waiting lists. Potsdam has virtually no really bad locations; anything goes.

Types of real estate: recommendation for young couples and singles

FIV: In Germany, more people rent than buy. What would you recommend to a young couple or even a single person, renting or buying in Potsdam?

Sebastian Wicke: Whether to rent or buy has to be considered individually for each customer and also depends on personal means and, above all, life planning. We have customers whom we would never advise to buy, because they are simply often on the “jump” professionally and after 1-2 years move on to a completely different region. Nevertheless, it is also worthwhile for a single person to think about property if the future is foreseeable for the next 3-5 years.

For those who have capital left over and are looking for something anyway, buying is the better option to invest the capital securely, save the rent and take advantage of price developments of + 6-11 percent p.a. when selling later. With the current historically low interest rates still ideal. Provided of course they buy in the right corners the right object.

Typical first time buyer mistakes

FIV: Anyone who rents in Potsdam is relatively flexible and can move if necessary. Anyone who buys a property, whether a home or a condominium, is at least tied to the property for the long term by the loan or financing. What are typical first-time buyer mistakes from your experience as a real estate agent and how can you avoid them?

Sebastian Wicke: In principle, flexibility is not necessarily limited even with a purchase. There is the option of later renting and usually this always covers the burden of the loan, the house money and usually there is still a small surplus for contingencies to save. The first mistake is often when buying BEFORE the notary appointment to save on a neutral appraiser for a brief check, if you have never had to do with real estate and have not already developed an eye for it yourself.

Kitchen in a single-family house in the Potsdam area:

Every serious seller allows this and it is in no way a bad thing, quite the opposite. In the case of good real estate, a neutral expert opinion rather underlines the quality of the object. There are always little things, but this is about the major overlooked damage that can become financial ruin. Altogether it represents a really manageable Invest of 600, – to 1000, – euro, if one considers the extent of the investment, and the customer can sleep immediately calmer with an expert opinion, if it goes then to the notary. The next first-time buyer mistake is often found in the financing.

I can only recommend using financial portals and independent financial advisors/credit brokers in addition to your bank. This saves over the term and with good advice even five-digit amounts over the term. Never accept the first offer. Other mistakes are too extensive individualizations or very “special” tastes in the first property: the colorful tile backsplash, the red or yellow kitchen or windows in trendy colors during construction. This catches up with us all when we sell – costs cash for the seller and leads to more difficult conditions for us when we sell.

Taxes and ancillary costs in the Potsdam area

FIV: The purchase price of a property is one thing, but what ancillary costs and taxes must buyers in Potsdam expect?

Sebastian Wicke: In terms of ancillary costs, unfortunately most of the costs are regulated by law, so unfortunately you can not avoid the following costs that are fixed: These are in Brandenburg 6.5% land transfer tax (incidentally, the maximum rate in Germany, Bavaria has 3.5%), notary and land registry costs of about 1.5-2% on the purchase price in the notary contract, these fees are also regulated by law.

At least with regard to brokerage costs, something has been done to relieve the burden on the buyer. It has been legally and federally regulated that since the end of 2020 the pro rata cost sharing of the commission between seller and buyer in equal parts, usually between 3 – 3.57% incl. VAT. (per party) on the purchase price for single-family houses and condominiums. Land and apartment buildings are excluded from this. There it is usually a buyer’s commission, which, by the way, is then also occasionally negotiable, which many do not know. A good broker does not let a deal fail there and finds a balanced solution for all. Dare to address this.

Incidental costs at a glance:

• 6.5 % Real estate transfer tax
• 1.5 – 2 % Land register + notary fees
• 3 – 3.57 % commission

Apartment & houses as an investment: buy and rent

FIV: Potsdam neighborhoods for real estate investment – Let’s move on to real estate as an investment in Potsdam, for those who want to buy and rent. If our*r Leser*in decides for the purchase, with following letting: Which 2 districts or satellites around Potsdam would you recommend to a buyer for their capital investment in Potsdam? In your opinion as an expert, where do the most future opportunities lie?

Sebastian Wicke: Kaptalanlage in Potsdam is exciting, because the Potsdam area can no longer really be called “cheap”, but Munich never was and has only developed in one direction in recent years. I continue to be very optimistic about the Potsdam area and unfortunately have to let my hopes of a “bubble” burst. If at all, this can only be cautiously observed in individual projects or in micro-locations and in the upper high-price segment.

Dining room and living room in one:

Due to the good economic development of the metropolitan area of Berlin with its start-up boom and the investments in the surrounding area with Tesla or Microvast and their magnetic effect, which we are already clearly feeling, as well as the great position as a science and university location through SAP and the University of Potsdam and their growth, Potsdam remains an exciting and worthwhile investment. Every year there is a renewed struggle for housing and there is a shortage of everything, especially affordable student apartments and basic housing in general, as demand is constantly increasing.

Although Potsdam, unlike Berlin, is really building a lot more, there is no oversaturation in sight. The decisive factor after the investment is of course a good tenant selection, so that it is fun. By the way, we also take care of renting! We feel since the beginning of the Corona Pandemie also an additional, increased pressure from Berliners who want to get out of the “tight and tense city” and seek more lifestyle through more space with home office and recreation time with style in Potsdam and the surrounding area. It may now be the room more and the garden or a larger balcony in the quieter, elegant Potsdam.

Especially since there is now even less commuting due to more home offices and the route to Berlin to the workplace is then suddenly only 2-3 times a week no longer a big burden. Alternative locations can be found in the surrounding area and are still affordable. There would be Michendorf or Beelitz with good connections via the highways, improved rail connections in the near future and a lot of nature and recreational opportunities for the family. A lot has happened there in recent years, old towns have been revitalized, modernized and beautified, schools and daycare centers have been built and the infrastructure has also been extensively expanded. By the way, the State Horticultural Show will begin in Beelitz on April 2022, so it’s worth taking a look twice.

Broker assessment: Real estate with a future

FIV: In your opinion, what type of real estate has a future in Potsdam, what should one invest in? Small, large, existing, new construction?

Sebastian Wicke: Clearly, it’s small apartments that have been lacking for years. Apartments between 1-3 rooms in almost all locations, gladly renovated old buildings, good stock or modern new construction, if it is not too expensive. The price increase per m² is also highest here. The percentage of singles is also increasing in Potsdam and the pressure from the University of Potsdam with its students or the settled science locations with young professionals, who are just moving to Potsdam for various projects, is constantly there. Furnished apartments also continue to be a topic and can be worthwhile if the rental is regulated and the entry price is not too high.

Bedroom in Potsdam apartment:

First steps and tips

FIV: Lastly, one more question – you had mentioned the typical mistakes when buying a property. Many buy, but some also want to sell. As an experienced real estate agent in Potsdam, what tips can you give to those who are selling a property for the first time? What are the first steps and how do you successfully sell a property in Potsdam?

Sebastian Wicke: The timing for a sale couldn’t be more ideal. There is pressure in the market due to the scarce inventory, the influx and the low interest rates in the market. Anyone who has owned a property in Potsdam or the surrounding area for a few years has done everything right and is the owner of a small or large asset – but currently only on paper. It is important to carefully select the right partner for the intended sale and not to “fiddle around” with it yourself, according to the motto: “I can do the ad myself and then my property will be gone anyway, so I won’t need a real estate agent!

The problem is not to find a buyer, but to assess the value correctly, objectively, neutrally, without emotional and personal influence. Of course, everyone is biased with their own things and taste. This makes it difficult to negotiate directly with the owner between seller and buyer. This is what we are here for, to form a healthy, value-free party for both sides and to arrange the middle way during the viewings and negotiations. We always try to level the optimal deal for both sides also with our own ideas and experience.

Kitchen in a Potsdam apartment:

We would not have sold many properties if the owners and buyers had met right at the beginning when selling or buying their own home and the different tastes, emotions or desires. Another important aspect is that we then also go into deeper discussions with the right prospective buyer and carry out a financial and solvency check.

A completely different topic are the constantly growing legal requirements and risks in the sales process from the legal obligation of the energy certificate and the information of the energy label to the DSGVO, rights to the image or incorrect area information and descriptions in the exposé or the later missing documents for the bank financing of the buyer. My tip is the selection of a reliable partner and professionals with enough experience via recommendation or some own research under consideration of reviews on various portals.

It doesn’t always have to be a well-known chain or a big name or come from a TV commercial with nice words. Have a longer personal conversation, gladly also right at the property. The chemistry should be right and the professional qualifications and history and local experience should not be underestimated. As a rule, it is also not very serious to name a price right on the spot at the first appointment without knowing the floor plans, exact areas and especially the state of maintenance.

Especially not by mail or on the phone, before the object has even been inspected together. A qualified valuation requires good documentation and knowledge of the object and such a thing is not – as often promised – in 5 minutes. Each object is unique and not off the shelf like a used car. Also, it is usually the largest investment or the largest capital decision in the sale, which a person makes in his life. This deserves attention and time.

Thanks to Sebastian Wicke for the interview!

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