Rent, buy, live in Braunschweig

Our interview partner specializes in the brokerage, sale and rental of real estate in Braunschweig. We talked to the real estate agent team from Braunschweig in an interview about attractive districts, financing options and the Braunschweig real estate market. Here you can learn everything about buying your first home, different types of houses and apartments.

Brunswick at a glance:

Brunswick from close up:

Rents: Family-friendly neighborhoods

You have decided to rent a house or apartment? Then you should definitely know more about bedroom furnishing and beautiful terrace design. Home is where you feel comfortable!

Buy: Invest and capital investment

Find your new home in attractive districts of Braunschweig such as Bebelhof, Elmaussicht or Gliesmarode and avoid serious mistakes in your purchase! You can find out here which questions you should answer before buying your property! Are you also interested in other cities? We have selected other interesting real estate agents in cities such as Düsseldorf, Aachen and Duisburg.

Interview: Real estate in Braunschweig

In an interview, we got to know a real estate company from Braunschweig better and asked everything about real estate, renting, buying and capital investment. In this article you will also learn which questions you should answer before buying a property.

Real estate agent Adner & Partner: Interview Partner

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

Adner & Partner: Our focus is on the sale and rental of residential real estate. We specialize in condominiums and single-family homes. In addition, we broker investment properties, such as multi-family houses or rented condominiums. In addition, we regularly set up new construction projects, which are realized with a friendly architect and developer.

So far, 5 apartment buildings have been built in Braunschweig and Wolfenbüttel and sold by Adner & Partner Immobilien. The next new building project in Braunschweig is about to start marketing. For our new building projects we are permanently looking for plots and/or dilapidated houses.

Small apartments in the center of Brunswick:

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

Adner & Partner: Basically, for me, there is no such thing as a “favorite property.” What always feels nice, however, is when people enter new stages of life in their new home. The young couple moving into their first home together or older gentlemen moving in close to their children and grandchildren regularly radiate happiness and contentment. That is always beautiful to witness. That makes me and my small team happy and also a little proud, because we are allowed to accompany people in this process.

Districts that have a future: Stöckheim, Melverode, Ring area

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

Beautiful corners for families with child

Adner & Partner: Braunschweig has so many beautiful corners to offer. There is something for everyone. The green districts on the outskirts of the city, such as Stöckheim, Melverode, Mascherode or Südstadt, are ideal for families with children. Equally suitable are Lehndorf or Kanzlerfeld in the west of the city. Those who appreciate living in the city are in the right place in the Westliches Ringgebiet and the city center. The Östliche Ringgebiet is traditionally extremely popular and this standing will probably never end.

The proximity to the city and to the university, good shopping opportunities, numerous kindergartens, schools and a friendly atmosphere make the eastern part of the city so desirable. Even more popular are the Walllagen along the Oker River, which is located on the edge of the city center. Here live all those who appreciate a life in the city and can afford to buy a property here. On our website, we have compiled an overview of selected city districts, which provides information on real estate prices and infrastructure.

Melverode: Popular district in Braunschweig

Development of real estate prices: Purchase and rental prices

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

Adner & Partner: Overall, the current market is characterized by high demand and scarce supply. This again led to strong price developments for condominiums and houses in 2021. On average, the price of existing apartments in Braunschweig rose by around 13.5 percent. Prices of single-family homes rose by around 16 percent. In the period under review, rents for existing apartments in Braunschweig rose by around 4 percent. The rent brake, the lowered cap of 15 percent and the rent index had a regulating effect here. I currently find it difficult to predict future price trends.

Will real estate prices in Braunschweig continue to rise?

If you had asked me before the war in Ukraine, I would have predicted a price increase for apartments of 4 percent and for houses of 7 percent. I would have put rent increases at 3-4 percent. Today, I estimate that rents in Braunschweig will continue to rise by about 4 percent per year. Existing real estate, especially apartments, is a crisis-proof form of investment and prices for them will certainly continue to rise. Presumably, 2-digit growth rates will once again establish themselves on the market.

As long as the interest rate landscape does not change significantly, population development in Braunschweig and the surrounding area remains on a growth trajectory, and insufficient construction activity does not pick up speed, no downward movement is expected for the time being. Despite the city of Braunschweig’s welcome construction offensive, it will not be possible to meet the demand for housing. The expected wave of refugees from Ukraine further underscores my assumption. In addition, a strong economic and university landscape ensure that Braunschweig’s real estate market will continue to be characterized by strong demand.

Living room in a 2-room apartment:

Should you rent or buy at this point?

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 Braunschweig?

Adner & Partner: This question is not so easy to answer, because the choice depends very much on individual plans, personality and various factors. Thus, no general statement can be made. Some points should always be considered before making this far-reaching decision. The young couple as well as the single person should be clear about if and when the family should grow or the professional situation could change. Because with property, the spontaneous move is already somewhat limited.

Buying a property: basic security

Once the right property has been found, the fixed interest rate should be designed for the long term so as not to run the risk of being overburdened with the repayment when interest rates rise.
Basically, however, I am of the opinion that buying a property is the better choice, because it offers a certain security against rising rents or a termination of the lease. During our viewings, we hear relatively often about own needs as a reason for the upcoming move. In addition, a property owner pays off his own property and not that of his landlord. Owning your own property therefore represents a solid investment for retirement provision.

Home and condominium: buying in the city

FIV: Anyone who rents in Braunschweig 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?

Adner & Partner: In general, if you rarely buy real estate, it’s best to get a professional to accompany you, who can save you from high losses. You will quickly notice a damp basement. The unauthorized attic conversion recognizes the real estate professional, with conscientious work. The layman does not. That is why we recommend every prospective buyer to organize an expert for a second inspection and not to spare the costs for it.

Here you can see an example of an old building apartment in Braunschweig:

Declaration of division for owners: Read carefully!

A purchase without checking the real estate documents from the construction file also represents a major risk. The documents that a buyer should definitely read carefully are the declaration of partition including all amendments as well as the allocation of any special rights of use to garden areas or parking spaces. A current excerpt from the land register, the collection of resolutions from the last 5 years and the building file already mentioned help to get a good overview and help to decide whether the property can be purchased or not.

In addition, no property should be purchased without an inspection or time pressure. Buyers should never be pressured into a quick or hasty purchase. In order to develop a feeling for the right price or the living space that is really required, it is advisable to view several properties that come close to the desired object.

Incidental costs and taxes: This is what you should know!

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

Adner & Partner: The so-called ancillary purchase costs for an existing property amount to approx. 11% of the property price. They consist of: Real estate transfer tax in Lower Saxony (5%), brokerage fee (usually 3.57% including tax) and notary and land registry costs (approx. 2%). For modernization or renovation, depending on the condition of the property, an additional amount should be considered. For a basic renovation, roughly between 500 and 700 € per square meter will be incurred. If only individual measures are to be carried out, lower costs will be incurred.

The most important at a glance:

• 11% Incidental costs of the real estate price
• Real estate transfer tax: 5%
• Brokerage fee: 3,57%
• Notary- land registry costs: 2%
• New buildings: Incidental costs further 10%

New buildings: Factor in another 10 percent in utility costs

For new buildings that are offered “turnkey”, we recommend our buyers to plan in an additional 10% of the purchase price in addition to the above-mentioned ancillary purchase costs. This can then be used to pay for painting, flooring, additional equipment (larger number of sockets and switches or, for example, a higher-quality bathroom). It will probably also be possible to pay for the fitted kitchen, which has yet to be installed. We always find when selling our new-build apartments that owner-occupants upgrade when it comes to fixtures and fittings, and those who want to rent out tend to make do with the standard fittings. Future landlords will probably be able to get by with less than 10%.

Here is a new construction kitchen from a Brunswick apartment:

Real estate as financial security

FIV: Brunswick neighborhoods for real estate investment – Let’s move on to real estate as an investment in Brunswick, 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 Braunschweig would you recommend to a buyer for their capital investment in Braunschweig? In your opinion as an expert, where do the most future opportunities lie?

Adner & Partner: In principle, the districts adjacent to the city center are certainly a good recommendation. For example, the western and eastern ring areas. Purchase prices in the Westl. Ringgebiet are below those in the Östl. Ringgebiet. In addition, there are currently more apartments for sale in the West Ring area than in the East Ring area. Anyone who buys and rents here is not making a mistake.

Market participants should be flexible nowadays

However, the shortage of properties for sale requires a certain flexibility on the part of market participants. The willingness to buy and rent in other parts of the city cannot hurt. An example to illustrate this: For every property on offer in the eastern ring area, around 108 people are willing to buy (with 17 offers). In the western part 79 seekers come to an offer (with 22 offers). So anyone who wanted to buy exclusively in the eastern part may have to switch to the western part. It becomes even clearer, for example, in a comparison between Nordstadt and the Westl. ring area.

In March 2022, the northern city has 43 offers for sale on Immobilienscout. In contrast, there are 1644 seekers. This means that there are only around 38 potential buyers for every offer. The chance of a purchase is therefore much higher here and renting is no less feasible in Nordstadt than in other parts of the city.
For investors or owner-occupiers, the following applies: The search profile should not be too narrow and there should be an openness to several locations.

Development potential: falling prices between city districts

Future opportunities or development potential always exist where there is a price differential between the districts. However, this has become smaller and smaller in the last 5 years and even in the traditionally unpopular districts, such as Braunschweig’s Weststadt, property prices have risen sharply. In this context it should be said that the Weststadt has an absolutely intact infrastructure and the district is much better than its image. By the way, on our homepage we have published a district report with currently 13 districts incl. market report for Braunschweig.

Districts with development potential:

• Veltenhof
• Turn over
• Watenbüttel

Investors could take a closer look at these districts.

Investing in different types of real estate: what is worthwhile?

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

Adner & Partner: According to our current market research, 3-4 room apartments are most frequently sought in Braunschweig. Close behind are apartments with 2-2.5 rooms.
Apartments between 76-95 m² are extremely sought after. Followed by 56-75 m², which are sought almost as often as apartments between 96- 110 m². In summary, it can be deduced that the 3-4 room apartment with a living space between 76 and 95 m² is the ideal rental property.

Frequently searched in Brunswick:

• 2 – 2,5 room apartment
• 76-95 m² apartment
• 96- 110 m² apartment

However, the evaluation also shows that it can make sense from an investor’s point of view to use 2.5 room apartments. It is important that there is space for a small home office. Furthermore, in our experience, an apartment that is to be rented quickly and well should have a balcony. It will be perfect if the bathroom is equipped with a window. Whether it is a new building or an existing one is decided by the investor’s wallet. My personal preference is the new construction apartment.

Typical mistakes when buying real estate: checklist

FIV: 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 Braunschweig, 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 Braunschweig?

Adner & Partner: Selling a property is a complex process in which many decisions have to be made and all the individual steps have to be carefully planned and worked through in sequence. Thoughtful preparation and planning – these are the most important secrets to success when selling a property. This is true for sellers who want to sell without an agent as well as for real estate agents. The success of a real estate transaction lies in the preparation. This includes the selection of the real estate agent.

My recommendation is to choose a broker from the region.

This is where the regional real estate agent plays his advantages, because he knows his area of activity. A real estate agent from the region knows from his daily work how the local real estate market works and what peculiarities prevail. The so-called hybrid brokers, which we all know from TV commercials, usually can’t keep up.

Here once again the office of the Adner & Partner agency:

The essential questions a salesperson should answer:

• By when must the property be sold?
• When should the tenants or myself move out?
• Which sales strategy do I want to use?
• What price do I want to achieve and is it realistic?
• Which advertising media (newspaper, Internet) should be used?
• How much do you have to invest during the sales process?
• How do I ensure my accessibility?
• What information do I give on the phone?
• How do I ensure that the buyer is solvent?
• If these questions are clarified, then nothing stands in the way of a successful real estate sale.

Rent, buy, live in Braunschweig

The real estate market in Braunschweig 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 Braunschweig, who can make your dream of your property possible.

• Broker Brunswick

First apartment? Step by step to capital investment

Buy your own apartment – As soon as you move into your first own apartment, for most people it’s rent, rent, rent. Every month you go to work many hours, to spend the largest part ultimately for 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

House, condominium & Co: Selling real estate

The process of selling real estate depends strongly on the type of property. Depending on this, different steps and documents are necessary. In general, when selling real estate, you should always first consider whether or not you want to hire a real estate agent. Also increase and decrease in value factors should be kept in mind.

Buy and sell (external & free of charge)

Learn from the experts. You can find many, many more guide articles for free at Lukinski. Here you can learn everything you need to know about buying real estate for free. Start in general with buying real estate, go over your specific type of real estate, from apartment, to house, apartment building to buying land. Also important, everything about the purchase contract (who pays the costs?), ancillary purchase costs and saving taxes with real estate. through legal forms such as a real estate GmbH or family foundation.

However, Luxury Realtors also write new articles on selling property every week. With more specific advice pages on selling a house, selling an apartment, and multi-family house and land.

Valuation, declaration of division & important documents

Apartments are particularly popular with people starting out in their careers and young couples. They are inexpensive, also allow living in the inner city and often provide the perfect basis for the first home of one’s own. But not all apartments are the same. Whereas in big cities like Berlin and Hamburg it is mainly apartments on one floor that are in demand, fresh air lovers tend to prefer a terrace apartment. High warehouse and industrial spaces of the past are increasingly being converted into loft apartments of the modern age and are enjoying high demand due to their high walls and spacious floor plans.

The two-storey maisonette apartment and the exclusive penthouse on the top floor represent the top class of the apartments here.

Valuing an apartment: increase & decrease in value factors

One of the most important questions you have to deal with as a seller is: How much is my home actually worth? There are several factors that ultimately influence the value of your property. For a rough sales value, it is first worth taking a look at:

• Location of the apartment
• Infrastructure
• Equipment

The geographical location of the apartment, i.e. the immediate residential area, can mean an increase in value for you here and, from experience, always proves to be a good sales argument. The better the location of the apartment, the more expensive it is in terms of value. The same applies to the connection to public transport and the proximity to hospitals, cultural sites & Co.

The closer you are to public life, the more these factors add value.

In addition to such soft and hard factors that influence the value, the crime rate in the residential area is also important. Again, the principle applies. The safer, the better. However, the crime rate is not just a number, but also the feeling of safety. Thus, this factor can be defined as a ‘mixed factor’ in housing valuation.

Renovations and modernizations in particular are value-enhancing:

Calculate purchase price: Criteria for determining the value

Now that you know roughly which factors influence the housing valuation, let’s go into a little more detail. In the second step, you must now look at the other criteria in determining your property value:

1. Year of manufacture
2. Living floor
3. Number and size of rooms
4. Balcony, terrace and winter gardens
5. Common property

Due to the inferior building fabric at the time, owners of apartments from the 1960s and 70s must unfortunately reckon with a price discount today. However, those who own a refurbished old apartment (built before 1945) or a modern new-build apartment can rather look forward to an increased construction value.

Lofts and penthouses also sell more quickly than ground floor apartments due to their popularity. For these, there is often a reduction in sales value of up to 30%. Converted attics and lifts to the top floor are also considered to increase value.

-30% for ground floor apartments

In addition to the size and number of rooms, extras such as balconies, terraces and conservatories are also decisive in determining the value. Depending on the design and the number of square metres, these can be taken into account as additional living space. Common property in the form of well-maintained outdoor facilities, staircases and lifts can also have a positive effect on the sales value as part of a community of owners.

• Read more: Sell apartment

The most expensive cities for condominium in Germany – Ranking

Whether you’re selling your home or looking for a condo as a buyer. It’s always good to be familiar with the current real estate market across Germany. This chart gives you an overview of the cities in Germany with the most expensive condos.

Documents for housing valuation

The following documents are important for determining the exact value of your home:

1. Land register excerpt
2. Declaration of division
3. Floor plan
4. Minutes of the owners’ meeting
5. Housing allowance statement for the last three years
6. Overview of the maintenance reserve
7. Proof of insurance
8. Energy certificate
9. If applicable, a copy of the rental contract, if your apartment is rented out.

House & apartment forms at a glance: List

In the real estate market, there are a lot of different types of construction. Both in the field of apartment and houses, there are many forms and types according to which a property is designed. These are divided into different formats. We have clearly listed some of the most common house and apartment types for you here. You can find more information about the respective property type in the corresponding article by clicking on the corresponding link.

House types at a glance: From bungalow to prefabricated house

Here you will find a list with an overview of all common house types. The linked article provides you with more information about the respective house form, introduces you to peculiarities and definitions and you also learn which house type is suitable for whom and why. In addition, we introduce you to the advantages and disadvantages of the respective house form in the associated articles.

• Bungalow
• Semi-detached house
• Single-family house
• Half-timbered house
• Holiday home / weekend house
• Beach house
• Prefabricated house
• Country house
• Massive house
• Terraced house
• Villa
• Low-energy house
• Zero-energy house
• Passive House

Overview of apartment types: Old building apartment to basement

The housing market is highly competitive and there are many different types of housing that come with certain characteristics. In the corresponding articles you will find definitions and information about the respective type of apartment, as well as a list of potential advantages and disadvantages of the corresponding apartment.

• Old apartment
• Apartment
• Attic apartment
• Granny flat
• Apartment
• Loft
• Maisonette apartment
• Penthouse
• Basement apartment
• Terrace apartment

Selling a house: taxes, costs & selling process

Single-family homes are among the preferred properties of Germans in almost all federal states. As the name suggests, they are occupied by a family, a couple or a single person. Single-family homes come in all shapes, colours and types – from the modern city villa to the romantic solid house with garden to the environmentally friendly efficiency house.

Off Market Deals: Selling luxury real estate thanks to independent acquisition

If your property is in the higher price ranges, then it’s worth thinking about selling it off market. Off market means that the sale does not take place publicly, but is sold internally. Public figures in particular, such as celebrities, politicians and many an aristocrat, prefer this type of acquisition. Whether you want to sell your house with or without an agent is up to you. The only important thing here is a good network. Ideally, you should use a broker who also specializes in off-market and thus has a large network of potential buyers.

Selling a house without an estate agent: Ultimate checklist

Many start out thinking that they need to rely on a realtor for their home sale. However, this is not always the case. Even alone, it is quite possible to successfuly sell his house and also brings some advantages with it. So that you can estimate but already times, what comes with a brokerless acquisition on you, here is already times an overview for you:

1. Determination of the sales price by valuation
2. Exposé – or advertisement creation
3. Compilation of necessary documents
4. Development of a sales strategy
5. Contacting interested parties
6. Organisation and realisation of the viewing appointments
7. Drafting of the sales contract
8. Perception of the notary appointment

House valuation: market value, net asset value & Co.

The house valuation is ultimately used to calculate the purchase price. Of course, before you take the next steps to sell your property, you need to set this price. Several factors play a big role in your property valuation. These include, for example, micro and macro facilities, background noise, location and outlook.

In this context, there is also talk of a market value and a net asset value of your house, which is included in the house valuation. The former is the price that is calculated at several points in time by various criteria, while the net asset value is influenced by the production costs of the property and the standard land value.

Keep an eye on ancillary purchase costs: Inheritance tax & notary fees

Often incidental purchase costs are also incurred when selling a house. These are usually borne by the buyer. While the transfer in the land register and the notary fees are paid by both parties, in the event of an inheritance, inheritance tax is also due. This depends, among other things, on the individual tax-free amount. Don’t forget that these regulations differ from state to state.

Whereas in Schleswig-Holstein these additional costs can amount to up to 15% of the sales price, in Bavaria they are only around 10%.

Another tip: If there is still an unpaid loan on the house, it is worth negotiating with the buyer about a loan assumption. Here it is worthwhile to get the opinion of an expert again.

Also bear in mind that for owner-occupied property there is a two-year period during which you do not have to pay tax on the profit from the sale. This means that there must be at least two years between the notarisation dates for the purchase and sale.

The most important documents & contracts at a glance

Your decision to sell your house has been made. The checklist for the house purchase is ready and you have also already determined the selling price. Now you just have to put together all the important documents.

1. Floor plans
2. Site plan
3. Land register excerpt
4. Fire Insurance Certificate
5. Overview of additional costs
6. Listing of all renovation work
7. Photos
8. Current energy certificate
9. The indication of the living space
10. Any existing leases
11. If there is more than one owner, indication of the ownership structure
12. A detailed object description

Attention with existing leases

If your house, or at least part of it, is rented out, you need to factor that into the sale. You can still sell your property, but you must be able to justify this. Even if renovation or demolition work is the reason for selling the house, this must be explained to the tenant.

• You can find out more under Selling a House

Ultimate price comparison: This is how much a house costs in German cities – Statistics

The prices for apartments, houses & Co. vary considerably in the Federal Republic of Germany. Here are some general statistics on the purchase prices of detached single-family homes. Purchase prices in Bremen, Rostock, Erfurt and Leipzig tend to be lower. Cities such as Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg are in the midfield in terms of price. At the top of the most expensive purchase prices here is the Bavarian capital Munich.

Apartment building: rental agreements, sales price & Co.

Since the sale of an apartment building is still a house sale, the process here is similar. However, since there are multiple parties involved, there are a few extra steps. You’ll need to keep these in mind when planning the sale process, of course. As always, ideally you will already have a follow-on property in mind and have already thought about the selling price of your apartment building.

Questions to ask yourself: tenant, prepayment penalty & right of first refusal.

Here’s an overview of the most important things you need to think about ahead of time to avoid any nasty surprises when you sell.

1. Do you have a follow-on property lined up?
2. Is there a need for renovation / refurbishment of the house?
3. Do you have all the necessary documents, such as declaration of partition, building insurance, minutes of the owners’ meeting, utility bills, list of rents, etc.?
4. Are early repayment penalties payable?
5. Do you have an overview of the maintenance costs?
6. Are you planning to sell inventory with it?
7. Is there a right of first refusal?
8. What’s your take on home valuation?

Valuation of a multi-family house: procedure & costs

The subject is complex. Micro and macro factors naturally play an important role in determining the sales price. Of course, this also includes the location, comparable properties, building fabric, etc. The method used to determine the value depends on the type of property. In general, however, the following rule applies: a purchase price must always be well-founded, market-oriented and realistic. There are a total of five procedures for this:

1. Comparative value method
2. Capitalised earnings method
3. Real value method
4. Residual procedure
5. Determination of the mortgage lending value

Of course, the price is not calculated directly down to the last cent. The final purchase price will follow at a later date and is based primarily on the estimated value of your house. In principle, you can remember that the valuation of a property under 150,000 euros will cost about 1,500 euros. If your property is valued at over 1 million euros, it will eventually cost 3,000 euros.

For the calculation, a rough valuation is carried out first. The price for the final valuation is therefore based, in most cases, on the estimated value of the property to be valued.

Material value and market value influence the sales price

The valuation and the final sales price can differ, as already explained. For the final price determination, not only the asset value is decisive, but also the market value. The asset value tells you what the objective value of your house is, in terms of year of construction, equipment, building fabric, etc. The market value (often referred to as the fair market value) is the value of the property. The market value (often also called fair market value) is the one to which the sales price is related. Factors relevant to the environment and factors specific to the market are related here. When demand is high and offers are low, the market value is now usually higher than the asset value.

Tip: Renovations and modernizations increase value

Especially when selling an apartment building, it is also worth considering renovations and modernizations. These always have a value-increasing effect. For example, damp patches on the walls and mould should now be removed. Damaged parquet and old window frames also make a significant difference. Always make sure that any damage is repaired. Otherwise, in the worst case, a sale can also be reversed due to cover-up.

If you also want to sell your indoor and outdoor furniture, this is also a value increasing factor:

Documents for the determination of the market value

So that you know which documents are important here in the determination of the market value, we have an overview for you:

• Land register excerpt
• Construction plans, floor plans, sections
• Building specification
• Site plan and cadastral map
• Living space calculation
• Energy certificate

In the case of condominium ownership, you will also need the following documents:

• Minutes of the last three owners’ meetings
• Business plan
• Declaration of division (land register)
• Housing benefit statement

If necessary, you also need for income properties:

• Operating costs
• Rent statements
• Rental agreements

To be seen with rights and encumbrances:

• Notarial deeds
• Special entries (rights of way, residential rights, etc.)

Property prices in the most popular cities in Germany

To choose one’s place of residence freely – that is what many people wish for. But where to then is the question? The individual states and cities of the Federal Republic all bring their own charm and advantages with them. Ideally, you want to be able to find a job quickly, the property should be in the budget and a stable infrastructure is also very close to the hearts of most people. To help you decide on your next home, we have city maps and square meter prices for Berlin, Hamburg and Munich for you.

Berlin: German capital popular with investors

As the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, it is the hub of European politics. The seat of government can be found here, as well as a multitude of historical monuments. The job market has also been stable for years: there is hardly any other European city where so many start-ups are founded as in Berlin. Different cultures, religions and influences come together here and thus make up the Berlin flair. Another plus:

Berlin enjoys ever-increasing popularity with real estate investors

City map: Pankow, Lichtenberg, Marzahn & Co.

The German capital Berlin consists of 12 boroughs and 96 districts. Moreover, the city offers a lot of variety due to its rich history and role as the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany and is popular not only with non-European tourists, but also with the younger generation.

Prices per square metre: From Hellersdorf to Berlin Mitte

You can expect to pay just under €2,100 per square metre in the Hellersdorf district of Berlin. The most expensive areas, on the other hand, are in Berlin Mitte and Dahlem. Here is the overview:

• Hellersdorf: 2,100 euros per square metre
• Hohenschönhausen, Reinickendorf, Spandau, Tempelhof & Marzahn: 2,500 – 3,000 euros per square metre
• Berlin Mitte and Dahlem: 6,000 euros per square metre

Here you can see the real estate prices for Berlin in the development from 2005 to 2020.

Hamburg: Hanseatic city attracts young people in particular

While Berlin counts as a hub of politics, Hamburg occupies an important economic position for Germany. The Speicherstadt is well connected with other European countries, which is also reflected in the diverse range of gastronomy. Eta 110,000 new citizens have called the Elbe metropolis their new home since last year. Due to the economic situation of the Hanseatic city and the exclusive residential areas, high earners and investors are also regularly attracted here.

City map: Altona, Bergedorf, Wandsbek & Co.

Hamburg consists of seven districts or neighborhoods:

• Altona
• Bergedorf
• Middle
• Harburg
• Eimsbüttel
• North
• Wandsbek

From romantic villas on the Elbe to modern apartments in the city center, Hamburg leaves nothing to be desired and offers something for everyone. No wonder that the Hanseatic city is becoming increasingly popular, especially among students and young professionals. Here you can see a rough overview of the city:

Prices per square metre: Condominiums on the Alster are gaining in value

South of the Elbe you will find rather reasonable prices (approx. 2,500 euros per square metre), whereas top prices starting at 7,500 euros per square metre can be found mainly on the Alster and in the luxurious areas of the Elbe.

Here you can see the real estate prices for Hamburg in the development from 2008 to 2020.

Munich: Highest billionaire density in the Federal Republic of Germany

Due to the quality of life in the Bavarian capital, Munich is also on the list of Germany’s top cities. The traditional architecture, combined with the metropolitan flair and the typical Bavarian coziness enjoys great popularity, especially among Germany’s billionaires and global entrepreneurs.

City map: Small districts with a high quality of life

Munich consists of 29 districts and 25 boroughs. The three most popular districts of the Bavarian capital are characterised above all by their high quality of life and are therefore the most popular with apartment hunters:

• Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
• Trudering-Riem
• Schwabing West

Here’s the map again:

Prices per square metre: Munich is the most expensive city in Germany

Munich is known to be home to the largest number of billionaires in the Federal Republic. So it’s not surprising that the purchase price of a single Munich condominium is twice as expensive as anywhere else.

Here you can see the real estate prices for Munich in comparison to the real estate prices in the whole of Germany.

Tax structuring when selling real estate: owner-occupation & state subsidies

How to save taxes when selling real estate? The problem: Many owners fall into the tax trap here and pay money unnecessarily. The solution: tax structuring. Real estate investor and tax coach Alex Fischer regularly gives tips for sellers on YouTube as well as on his blog.

Tip: Costs of the real estate agent tax deductible

In parts, this is also possible. Anyone who buys a new property after selling it can now deduct the brokerage costs for tax purposes. But only if the house or apartment is subsequently rented out. In the case of owner-occupancy, the linear deduction of the fees is unfortunately not possible.

Also deductible: brokerage fees incurred in finding a tenant.