Rent, buy, live in Frankfurt

A good start in the real estate world is always the purchase of the first apartment. Rainer Ballwanz explains in his interview with us their experiences with real estate in a good A-location. The yield here depends on the type of house or apartment. For example, microapartments have different exploitation possibilities than single-family homes. The meso location is also decisive in pricing, whether in Hausen, Bockenheim and other districts such as the Gutleutviertel or Eschersheim.

Here Frankfurt is located in Germany:

Frankfurt up close:

Rent: Contract & Settlement

After the successful purchase of the property and the execution of the purchase contract, you naturally want to furnish your newly acquired property according to your individual needs. From the living room furnishings, to the garden design, nothing stands in their way of your creative imagination.

Buy: Return on investment through real estate

In our interview, you will learn everything about real estate and returns in Frankfurt. Should you buy a property in Frankfurt or is it more worthwhile to buy nearby, for example in Offenbach or Wiesbaden?

Real estate agent interview about real estate in Frankfurt

The first condominium or real estate as an investment? In this interview you will learn the most important tips & tricks. Buy, rent, live in Frankfurt but also tips for capital investments. We ask the questions, he provides the answers.

The real estate agent team from Frankfurt: Ballwanz Immobilien

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

Rainer M. Ballwanz: Ballwanz Immobilien has been specializing in residential tasks and challenges in Frankfurt-Rhine-Main for 30 years. With a highly specialized team, we advise cities and municipalities on concepts for planned construction areas as well as property developers and project developers on product concepts for new construction projects. Of course, we also handle the marketing of these new construction projects on the basis of marketing and communication strategies developed in-house.

We are just as happy to advise private sellers and landlords of residential real estate and to broker purchase and rental agreements. In all our activities, the focus is on the individual. Our aim is to meet their wishes and requirements.

Rainer M. Ballwanz and his real estate agent team from Frankfurt in the meeting:

Real estate with potential in Frankfurt

FIV: As a broker in Frankfurt, which properties do you personally prefer to broker?

Rainer M. Ballwanz: We prefer to broker properties where the price/performance ratio is right from the point of view of demand. In the case of new construction projects, there is also the requirement that the buildings integrate organically into the urban development through their architecture and quality and fulfill their responsibility for the public space.

Popular districts with a future: Rents in Frankfurt

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

Rainer M. Ballwanz: Frankfurt is rather small in terms of its geographic extent compared to other major German cities, so that actually all districts have a very good infrastructure and good connections to the core city.

Property in Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim or Frankfurt Ostend?

There are the established residential locations such as Westend, Nordend or Sachsenhausen, where it is somewhat more expensive, but fully satisfactory to live. Those who prefer more urbanity should look around in Bornheim, Bockenheim, for example. In addition to the Gallus and Gutleutviertel districts, Frankfurt’s Ostend district has been one of the most up-and-coming in recent years. If you are moving to Frankfurt with your family, you should definitely check out the new construction areas of Rebstock, Riedberg or the Lyon Quarter.

Rent: Is it worth it? Frankfurt rents

FIV: Rents are a big topic, all over Germany. How has the real estate market and rents in Frankfurt developed in recent years and how will they develop in the future?

Rainer M. Ballwanz: Supply and demand naturally also regulate rents in the city of Frankfurt, which has been growing demographically by around 5,000 to 10,000 residents for years. Residential rents are rising sustainably and are already at a high level when measured against the national average. For existing apartments, average rents of €11 to €13 per square meter can be expected, but for new buildings, depending on location and quality, rents range from €16 to €20 per square meter. If you want to live in one of the modern and exposed high-rises in a central location, you have to calculate a bit more.

Rental prices in Frankfurt at a glance:

In summary, you can expect the following average rents in Frankfurt and the surrounding area:

• Existing apartments: Average rent from € 11,- to 13,-/sqm
• New buildings: Average rent from € 16,- to 20,-/sqm
• High-rise buildings in central locations: average rent over € 20/sqm

Rising prices for new construction rental apartments: Alternatives?

Rainer M. Ballwanz: Due to the fact that the space reserves for new buildings in the Frankfurt urban area are very limited, it can be assumed that there will continue to be an undersupply on the market and that prices for rental apartments will therefore continue to rise.

We should learn that Frankfurt does not only consist of the actual city area, but that there are a large number of towns and surrounding communities directly adjacent and excellently connected, which “feel” as if they belong to the city of Frankfurt. These locations in Frankfurt-Rhine-Main, such as Bad Vilbel, Neu-Isenburg or Offenbach, certainly represent a good alternative for those looking for a home. And usually at a more favorable price level.

Manageable risk for capital investors in Frankfurt

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 Frankfurt?

Rainer M. Ballwanz: That depends on personal circumstances and financial feasibility. To answer this question, it always requires an individual consideration. Anyone who basically wants to invest in real estate, whether for personal use or as a capital investment, can do so quite safely with the right property in Frankfurt with a very manageable risk.

The probability of losing money on a residential property with an investment period greater than 10 years is rather unrealistic. Those who come to Frankfurt for work and know that they will probably only stay in the city for one to three years should rather look for a rental property that suits this current stage of life.

Dining room and living room area in a penthouse:

Photo: XOXO Studios

Home & condominium: avoiding buying mistakes

FIV: Anyone who rents in Frankfurt 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?

Rainer M. Ballwanz: The biggest mistake is to believe that real estate prices in the Rhine-Main region will fall again on a sustained basis. Assuming that the world remains more or less the same as we know it, prices will move sideways at most as a result of temporary external influences. It is unlikely to get any more favorable.

Tip. Assess investment risk correctly

Contrary to common practice, we recommend not only evaluating the current purchase price, which is often perceived as too high, when making an investment. In our opinion, it is more important to estimate the price that the property is likely to achieve at a later resale and with what probability. Only in this way can the buyer assess the risk or the possible success of his investment.

Attention: Take a long-term view of construction interest rates

Construction interest rates have been at a historically low level for some time, even though they are currently slowly starting to rise. This sometimes tempts potential buyers to underestimate the potentially significantly higher burden when the first fixed interest rate period expires. Financing should also fit the buyers’ individual circumstances and life plans in the long term. We recommend seeking advice from independent financing experts in good time.

Apartment for rent in Omni Tower:

Do not do without expert knowledge

One big mistake is to believe that when buying a residential property, it is best to do everything yourself, without the expertise of a lawyer, financial broker or real estate agent, and thus save money. Digitalization has supposedly made the markets more transparent, at least on the supply side. We do not believe this and advise first-time buyers in particular to seek out trusted advisors who can provide expert guidance through the complex process of a purchase. The decision to buy a property is often rather emotionally driven. Assessing the expected value development, setting up individual financing or evaluating purchase contracts are certainly tasks for experts.

In short – so what you should consider

All tips on the subject of home ownership and condominiums from the expert at a glance:

• Real estate prices in the Rhine-Main region will not fall again on a sustained basis
• Assess investment risk in the long term
• Construction interest rates slowly starting to rise
• Financing must be considered in the long term
• Do not do without expert knowledge

Buying in Frankfurt: Factoring in ancillary costs

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

Rainer M. Ballwanz: In Hesse, the purchase of real estate is subject to 6% land transfer tax, notary fees for the notarization of the purchase contract and, if applicable, the creation of a land charge, as well as fees for the land registry. If one adds the brokerage costs of up to 3.57% of the purchase price, which are to be paid in half by the buyer, for existing properties, ancillary purchase costs of 10 – 12% can arise.

However, the price trend for residential real estate in Frankfurt should also be taken into account here, which has risen by around 8% on average over the past 10 years for existing apartments and by around 9.5% for new apartments. This means that with a similar price development forecast for the coming years, the relatively high ancillary costs of acquisition would be compensated for relatively quickly.

Costs in the purchase of real estate summarized

Incidental purchase costs in Frankfurt and the surrounding area at a glance:

• Real estate transfer tax –> 6
• Brokerage costs –> up to 3,57 %
• Notary fees

Total incidental purchase costs = 10 – 12 %.

Bedroom in the rental apartment Omniturm:

Buy and rent in Frankfurt: Tips

FIV: Frankfurt districts for real estate investment – we come still to real estates as capital investment in Frankfurt, for those, which want to buy and letting. If our*r Leser*in for the purchase, with following letting, decides: Which 2 districts or even satelites around Frankfurt, would you recommend to a buyer for their capital investment in Frankfurt? In your opinion as an expert, where do the most future opportunities lie?

Have clear goals as an investor – Tip 1

Answer: As in the stock market, this depends significantly on the investor’s profile. What does he want to achieve? Is he prepared to take a certain speculative risk with perhaps a higher increase in value, or does he prefer to “sleep soundly” and go for a lower increase in value with the highest possible value stability at the same time? What time horizon is the buyer planning for his investment?

Priority Safety: Investing Westend & Nordend – Tip 2

A large or metropolitan city like Frankfurt always develops from the inside out. Those who tend to seek security are excellently invested in the established locations close to the city center, such as the Westend or Nordend. The city center and the Ostend of Frankfurt have developed exceptionally positively in recent years and have the potential to remain quite exciting for capital investors in the future.

District of Frankfurt with potential: Offenbach – Tip 3

If you are a bit more of a visionary and have some time to spare, you should take a close look at Offenbach, which is separated from Frankfurt only by the Main River. We assume that Offenbach could be one of the biggest winners in the Rhine-Main region in the coming decades.

All tips at a glance:

• Have clear goals as an investor
• With safety a priority: investing in Westend & Nordend
• District of Frankfurt with future potential: Offenbach

These types of real estate have a future: new construction & apartments

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

Real estate trend: micro apartments, student rooms & one-bedroom apartment

Answer: Investing in residential real estate will generally be a good decision in Frankfurt for the foreseeable future. Those who want to diversify their risk and are not looking for self-interest should perhaps rather buy two small apartments instead of one large apartment.

New construction, condominium or existing property?

New construction has the advantage that the buildings are built to the current state of the art and building regulations and one does not have to expect any subsequent investments in the first few years. If the location of the property is more important to you, you will find a broader offer in existing apartments. When investing in existing properties, however, we recommend checking in advance whether the legal requirements to be expected in the medium term with regard to energy efficiency upgrades will be feasible in principle.

Last but not least: Prices for condominiums in exclusive high-rise buildings have developed disproportionately well in Frankfurt and also represent an exciting sub-segment of the investment market for the future.

Selling real estate: Advisor for help

Finally, one more question: You had mentioned the typical mistakes buying a property. Many buy, but some also want to sell. As an experienced real estate agent in Frankfurt, 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 successfuly sell a property in Frankfurt?

Answer: We recommend to the private seller of a property to take an expert advisor to the side, who understands the market/price mechanisms analytically and knows how to estimate the value of the property well-founded. Only in this way can the best possible price be realized in the time frame in which the seller would like to dispose of the proceeds.

Many thanks to Rainer M. Ballwanz for the interview!

Rent, buy, live in Gelsenkirchen

The real estate market in Frankfurt is large and for this reason it is important to find the best real estate agent for you. In our overview you will find the 10 best real estate agents from Frankfurt, who can make your dream of your property possible.

• Broker Frankfurt

First apartment? Step by step to capital investment

As soon as you move into your first own apartment, for most people it’s rent, rent, rent. Every month you go to work for many hours in order to spend most of it on the next rent due at the beginning of the month. It’s no wonder that many young people are considering buying a condominium as soon as possible.

• Buy first apartment

What does a tax consultant do?

Tax consultants support you in many matters such as: representation of tax matters towards the tax authorities, tax returns for individuals, companies, partners, associations, sole traders and freelancers, asset and property management and the economic and tax advice around your house and property.

The classic field of activity of tax consultants includes the preparation of tax returns for private individuals and companies, bookkeeping and annual financial statements as well as payroll accounting. However, tax consultants are able to cover a much wider range of tasks. Here, a distinction must be made between the so-called “reserved activities” and the “agreed activities”.

• What does a tax consultant do?

Services for companies:

• Advice on tax issues
• Form a company
• Financial accounting
• Digital payroll accounting
• E-commerce
• Tax return
• Annual accounts
• Management consultancy
• Company succession
• International tax law
• Real estate management

Frequently asked question: How much does a tax consultant cost per month?

The accounting takes place according to the table. For example, if you earn 40,000 euros a year, this would be 103 euros in accounting fees according to the table. This means that your tax advisor can charge you between 20.60 and 123.60 euros per month for the work he does. Click here to return to the overview: Tax advisors in Germany.

Tax consultants in Frankfurt am Main: List

Many people are looking for the tax consultant they trust, but finding the right partner for such matters is not so easy. We have listed the best rated tax consultants from Frankfurt for you below.

Tax consultancy Trabold

5.0 / 5.0

Trabold Tax Advisor has a rating of 5.0 / 5.0 on Google (12 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Im Prüfling 62, 60389 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 7805 4860
• Website: steuerberatung-trabold.de

Lohnsteuerhilfe Bayern e.V. Frankfurt

4.9 / 5.0

Lohnsteuerhilfe e.V. Frankfurt has a rating of 4.9 / 5.0 on Google (70 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Walter-Kolb-Straße 9-11, 60594 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 624 371
• Website: lohi.de

GLAUX Tax Consultants & Lawyers

4.8 / 5.0

Steuerkanzlei GLAUX has a rating of 4.8 / 5.0 on Google (25 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Große Friedberger Straße 42, 60313 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 9288 570
• Website: glaux.de

STEUBA GmbH tax consulting company

4.9 / 5.0

STEUBA tax consulting company has a rating of 4.9 / 5.0 on Google (18 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Bockenheimer Landstraße 17-19, 60325 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 4080 9940
• Website: steuba.de

Benefitax GmbH Tax consulting company

5.0 / 5.0

Benefitax tax consulting company has a rating of 5.0 / 5.0 on Google (8 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Hanauer Landstraße 148a, 60314 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 2562 2760
• Website: benefitax.de

Tax office Stefan Fender

5.0 / 5.0

Fender Tax Firm has a 5.0 / 5.0 rating on Google (9 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Kurfürstenstraße 49, 60486 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 7474 45990
• Website: kanzlei-fender.de

Tana Groß Tax consultant

4.9 / 5.0

Gross Tax Advisor has a rating of 4.9 / 5.0 on Google (9 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Ginnheimer Landstraße 132, 60431 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 5305 5533
• Website: steuerberatung-trabold.de

Jörg Bremer Tax Consultant

4.5 / 5.0

Tax consultant Jörg Bremer has a rating of 4.5 / 5.0 on Google (33 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Frankenallee 165, 60326 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 7332 60
• Website: tax consultant-frankfurt-am-main.com

GKRW Euro Censor tax consulting company GmbH

5.0 / 5.0

The tax consulting company GKRW Euro Censor has a rating of 5.0 / 5.0 on Google (7 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Darmstädter Landstraße 110, 60598 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 9596 400
• Website: gkrw-digital.de

Pulch tax adviser’s office

4.6 / 5.0

De Steuerkanzlei Pulch has a rating of 4.6 / 5.0 on Google (7 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Borsigalle 21, 60388 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 9421 250
• Website: pulch.de

Nikolic Tax Office

5.0 / 5.0

Nikolic Tax Firm has a rating of 5.0 / 5.0 on Google (5 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Schweizer Str. 13, 60594 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 6616 1465
• Website: steuerkanzlei-nikolc.com

Heinlein tax consultancy

4.3 / 5.0

Heinlein Tax Consulting has a rating of 4.3 / 5.0 on Google (6 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Heidestraße 146, 60385 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 9287 0133
• Website: steuerberatung-heinlein.de

Krieger GmbH Tax consultancy

4.2 / 5.0

Krieger Tax Consulting has a rating of 4.2 / 5.0 on Google (8 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Berliner Straße 51, 60311 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 2972 3880
• Website: krieger.eu

ADVISA tax consulting company mbH

4.5 / 5.0

Advisa tax consulting company has a rating of 4.5 / 5.0 on Google (6 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Güneburgweg 12, 60322 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 1540 090
• Website: advisa-online.com

Becker & Partner Tax Consultants

3.7 / 5.0

Becker & Partners Tax Advisors have a 3.7 / 5.0 rating on Google (5 reviews).

• Address / Directions: Holzhausenstraße 30, 60322 Frankfurt a.M.
• Phone: + 49 (0) 69 9074 430
• Website: becker-frankfurt.de

Tax consultants in other cities

Tips for your city? Read all recommendations here: Tax advisors in Germany.

• Berlin
• Düsseldorf
• Frankfurt
• Hanover
• Hamburg
• Munich
• Cologne
• Kiel
• Bochum

Tax consultant: Learn & understand taxes

What does a tax consultant do? How much does a tax advisor cost per hour? Learn more about working with your tax advisor here.

Tax consultant: What does a tax consultant do?

Tasks, accounting, tax return, save taxes – Tax consultant tasks – Do I have to hire a tax consultant? What tasks does a tax consultant do? How much does a tax consultant cost? Here you will find the answers to your questions and much more information on the topic of tax advisors in the area, finding tax advisors, costs, tasks, financial accounting, annual financial statements and taxes in general – but let’s start at the beginning. This guide will give you important tips if you want to start a business or you want to change a bad tax accountant. That’s what tax advisors do!

• Tax consultant

Costs and billing

How much does a tax consultant cost per hour? How are the fees of the tax advisor calculated? How much should a tax accountant cost? And how much does a small business tax accountant cost? If you haven’t experienced tax accountants yet, here are official costs and rates for you, from the Federal Board of Tax Appeals. Tip. Under the explanation of value fee you will find the cost table for 100.000, 200.000 and 500.000 Euro – that’s how much your tax advisor costs / earns!

• Tax consultant costs

Mistakes: 3 risks for your company

Hiring a tax accountant / mistakes – You want to find a good tax accountant! Because, you want to avoid risks and dangers, after all it will cost you cash if you hire the wrong firm for your accounting. Costs for additional processing, advice and service and of course losses, for example, if tax benefits are not taken (quote above). In the article on Lukinski, 3 specific risk factors are described that usually only become apparent after years of working together. The 3 risks first at a glance.

• Hiring a tax advisor: mistakes

Tax consultant in Germany

Nearby Tax Accountants – Find a good tax accountant near you? We have searched the internet for you for days to find the best recommendations for tax consultants in your area: Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart & Co. for your private tax return or income tax return or more complex accounting for companies, from monthly financial accounting to annual financial statements. Including adresses, telephone numbers and website.

• Tax consultant in the vicinity

Tax Consultancy Act (StBerG): Performance

Since the provision of these activities is reserved for tax advisors and the other persons named in § 3 No. 1 StBerG, including lawyers, auditors and certified accountants, these activities are referred to as “reserved activities”.

§ 33 Content of the activity

Tax advisors, tax agents and tax consulting companies have the task, within the scope of their mandate, of advising their clients in tax matters, representing them and providing them with assistance in dealing with their tax matters and in fulfilling their tax obligations. This also includes assistance in criminal tax matters and in matters of fines for a tax offence as well as assistance in the fulfilment of accounting obligations which exist on the basis of tax laws, in particular the preparation of financial statements which are of significance for taxation and their assessment under tax law.