Interview: This is what it’s all about!

To successfuly complete a Fix & Flip project, the ultimate goal is to make a profit. The basic idea of Fix & Flip is to increase the value of a property. You buy a cheap but lucrative property, add value to it yourself and sell it at the end for a profit. This means you have to work cost-efficiently to keep your expenses low and thus increase the profit.

We conduct the interview with Immobilien-Erfahrung.de (in conversation “IE”). We talk in the interview about:

• The purchase and finding of lucrative properties
• Saving costs when upgrading and renovating
• The profitable sale of the object
• Bonus topics such as taxes, legal forms and financing

What is Fix & Flip?

FIV: Let’s start with the basics. Can you start by explaining what Fix & Flip is and how it works?

IE: Of course! Fix & Flip is a strategy or even method from the real estate world that focuses specifically on trading real estate. That is, unlike traditional real estate strategies where properties are held to generate long-term returns, Fix & Flip actively trades properties. The core aspect is to increase the value of real estate in order to generate profit when trading. The increase in value is achieved through cost-effective upgrading and renovation.

So the strategy consists of three basic steps – buying, upgrading and selling.

Fix & Flip Find & Buy Property

FIV: We have already talked about Fix & Flip in one of our articles and have shed some light on the three steps. Surely we could not clarify everything there what an expert with experience can report about it. Let’s go through the three steps again and see what you can tell us. Let’s start with the first step – the purchase.

IE: Yes, with pleasure. Getting started is the biggest difficulty! In order to start trading real estate at all, you need real estate. So the first step is all about acquiring real estate. This is also one of the most complicated parts of Fix & Flip. First of all, you need to create and work through a criteria checklist when searching for the perfect property.

Criteria for the selection of Fix & Flip real estate

IE: The checklist for the real estate search should include important key data that are important to you as a flipper. Basically, the location and the condition are the basis for the decision.

The property must be in an advantageous location for you. Advantageous in the sense that it is an attractive area for future buyers – so it can be sold quickly – and is still in an affordable location for you. A-locations are not advantageous, since city centers, for example, are not worthwhile in terms of price. B-locations or developing C-locations are much more suitable.

In addition, the condition of the property must be considered. Since the focus is on “cheap” properties, these often also harbor problems. This is fine to a certain extent, of course, as the strategy involves “fixing” after all, but it should still not be overestimated.

With the Fix & Flip it is important to avoid sanitation!

These are too costly and time-consuming. The building fabric of your object should therefore basically be in tact.

FIV: With the basic criteria in mind – where is the best place to look for real estate?

Search & buy objects: How do I proceed?

IE: Online portals provide a solid basis for the search. Here, offers in the corresponding location can be found and compared with each other. So you get a rough picture and an idea of the price. However, I would rather use the online portals for research and not for the purchase.

You get the better buying options privately through off-market properties. Ideally, you already have a network of people who will contact you as soon as they hear about a sale. If you don’t have that, you have to look for the personal contact yourself. Either you show yourself, for example through marketing and let customers come to you, or you take the initiative and approach customers personally.

To explain this now would go beyond the scope of this article.

FIV: Okay good. We’ll summarize the first step again:

• Checklist with criteria for the property
• Location & condition of the object are important
• Avoid objects in need of renovation
• Use online portals for research
• Off-market real estate from private contact

What would come next? The upgrade?

IE: I would talk briefly beforehand about financing options for the purchase.

Fix & Flip financing: which loan is suitable?

Just recently I talked to one of our partners about an interesting topic and that is Fix & Flip without equity. In order to run Fix & Flip without equity, you need outside capital. The debt capital is provided through loans and credits. In discussing which type of loan was best, I first realized how important the question of financing is in the first place.

Therefore, I wanted to briefly list the most important points again.

The funding can be divided into two areas

The financing of the property itself and the financing of the renovation process. Both areas can be financed individually but also in combination. This is decided according to one’s own ideas. There are different types of loans for both options.

Credit types at a glance

To finance the entire project, in principle, all conventional loans can be used. Hard money loans are particularly suitable for the purchase of the property. These are based only on the value of the property, not on the equity.

There are several good financing options for upgrading. Small loans are the simplest solutions. But credit lines are more interesting! These give in principle a budget from which you can take what you need. Accordingly, only the interest is paid and repaid what is consumed.

FIV: I’ll hold on again:

• Purchase financing
• Renovation financing
• Separate or combined
• Regular loans
• Hard Money Loans
• Small loans
• Credit lines

With funding out of the way, there’s not much standing in the way of the upgrading process right?

Upgrading real estate: saving costs & increasing value

IE: Yes, that’s right. Since the process of upgrading is very detailed, I’ll try to be brief and mention only the most important things. We also have complete explanations and articles on our site.

Simply put, this step is about the actual value creation and thus the generation of profit. Here, the property, which is unattractive for the end users, is made attractive. This is achieved through cost-effective renovation measures.

Cost effective is the saying here!

Care must be taken to increase the value effectively without great expense. As already mentioned, extensive renovations are not advantageous.

The best way to increase the value of the property is to replace the flooring, kitchen and plumbing fixtures, new windows and doors, and garden and patio maintenance.

Those who are not skilled in handicrafts will find the best help and advice from craftsmen.

FIV: So the areas where renovation can be effective are:

• Flooring
• Bath
• Kitchen
• Windows
• Doors
• Garden
• Terrace

After upgrading, is the property then ready for sale?

Fix & Flip sale: exposé, offers & home staging

IE: In principle, yes! Already during the revaluation process, an appraiser can start valuing the property. This gives you an approximate idea of the selling price at an early stage. In addition, the preparation of the exposé can also be started promptly and the listing subsequently published.

For the creation there is one more crucial trick – home staging!

FIV: What exactly is it?

Home staging to prepare the display

Home staging is a simple trick to make the living space look more attractive for the pictures of the exposé. In the process, the rooms are made to look alive. For this purpose, no real furniture is used, but specially made cardboard furniture. This saves energy and costs for a “move”.

As soon as the exposé goes on the market you wait!

And when you’ve received enough offers, you compare them and negotiate if necessary to get an even better price.

After the selection of the buyer then follows only the notary appointment and the transfer of ownership.

Finally, the profit can be calculated. For visualization there is the Fix & Flip calculator on our site.

FIV: The sales process is now over. What happens to the profit? Surely it has to be taxed?

Fix & Flip Taxes: How much profit am I left with?

IE: Absolutely correct. Of course, taxes are due on fix & flip profits, just like anything else. What taxes and especially how much depends on the legal form you traded in.

As an individual or sole proprietor, regular income tax must be paid. Depending on how high your profit was in the end is assigned to a certain tax rate.

These tax rates are recorded in the tax progression.

If you plan to operate Fix & Flip for a longer period of time, it is worthwhile to establish a limited liability company. This requires a share capital of 25,000 euros, but you save a lot of taxes. In addition, your own capital is no longer liable but only the company limited to the paid-in capital.

As a GmbH, you then only pay corporate income tax of around 15% and trade tax of 3.5%.

I have now only given rough key data on taxation. Of course, the topic can be further elaborated.

If you want to know more about it, please visit our Fix & Flip guide. Among other things, I can recommend the articles Fix & Flip Taxes, Property Appreciation and Fix & Flip Sales.

FIV: Thanks so much for your time and insights into the Fix & Flip strategy!

IE: Gladly!

Summary: 10 Learnings about Fix & Flip

Let’s briefly summarize the most important points once again.

	Learning Fix & Flip
1	The basic idea of Fix & Flip is to increase the value of properties
2	The 3 steps of Fix & Flip: Buy, Upgrade & Sell
3	Checklist for the real estate search: consider location & condition
4	Find & buy objects via online portals & private contacts
5	Finance project & find suitable financing type
6	Cost-effective upgrading & renovation
7	Avoid objects in need of renovation
8	Have property valued & create exposé
9	Exposé prepared by home staging
10	Settle contract, transfer property & calculate profit (pay attention to taxes)

Interview: This is what it’s all about

As an entrepreneur, it is important to think from the outset about how one’s own assets and business can be secured and maintained in the long term. A family foundation can be an interesting option here, as it not only offers asset protection and inheritance planning, but can also have potential tax advantages. By establishing a family foundation, for example, entrepreneurs can reduce their tax burden and thus achieve tax savings.

We talk in the interview about:

1. What is a family foundation, why and when do you “need” it
2. What are the 3 central advantages of a foundation
3. What about taxes? Corporation, donation, inheritance & Co.

We conduct the interview with Immobilien-Erfahrung.de (in conversation “IE”).

What is a family foundation?

FIV: Let’s start with an overview:

IE: To ensure that family assets are preserved in the long term, it is important to protect them from various risks such as inheritance disputes, creditors and the tax office. One possible option here is to set up a family foundation, which can provide the founder and his family with economic security over generations and protect the assets from being broken up. This is a legally independent foundation that manages real estate, company shares and other assets.

So in a nutshell:

• Protection of family assets over generations
• Avoidance of inheritance disputes and break-up of assets
• Possibility to manage assets such as real estate and company shares in the foundation
• Tax advantages due to the taxation of the foundation with corporate income tax
• Possibility to avoid the right to a compulsory portion of family members

Well-known family foundations in Germany

FIV: Strong, because we have many articles on the subject of first capital investment buy & Co. So that it does not become too abstract for our readers, what are the most well-known family foundations in Germany? Who do you know? Can you tell us 3 examples?

IE: Yes, of course, there is the Bertelsmann Foundation, for example, founded by Reinhard Mohn, is one of the largest foundations in Germany and is involved in the areas of education, society and culture.

There is also the Robert Bosch Stiftung, founded by Robert Bosch, promotes projects in the fields of health, science and technology, and international relations. Another flagship would be the Krupp Foundation, founded by the Krupp family, is involved in the areas of culture, education and science as well as in the promotion of social projects.

Then there is:

• Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd Stiftung Stiftungs GmbH
• Otto Group Foundation
• BMW Foundation of Herbert Quandt
• And many more!

When does a family foundation make sense?

IE: Roughly speaking, very roughly speaking:

It only really makes sense to set up a family foundation with a capitalization of around 1 million euros.

Protection of family assets and businesses

FIV: Now let’s get to the core of the interview, the why and wherefore! What does protecting assets mean, from whom and why should I protect my assets – once I am a millionaire?

IE: Even though the family foundation is not tax-exempt, several factors can make it worthwhile to establish:

Raising a family is often a long and arduous process of hard work and hardship. It is therefore understandable that entrepreneurs are concerned that their legacy will not be carried on in their spirit after their passing.

One way to alleviate these concerns is to establish a family foundation.

Divorce, inheritance, family dispute – examples

Establishing a family foundation ensures that the entrepreneur’s assets remain in the family and are not fragmented by divorce or inheritance.

A foundation can also help avoid the breakup of the company, as foundations do not issue shares that can be bought out. This provides effective asset protection, as the foundation retains control over the assets and manages them in accordance with the wishes of the entrepreneur and his family.

In addition, family foundations can also help preserve family peace by providing a clear structure for the management and distribution of assets.

However, the foundation can also play an important role in supporting charities and non-profit projects, which can be of great importance for entrepreneurs who want to engage in social responsibility, of course also in the point of self-PR.

Inheritance: taxes and protection

FIV: According to the Hans Böckler Foundation, the annual inheritance volume in Germany, including gifts, will amount to up to 400 billion euros in the period up to 2027 – per year. Inheritance is an important topic. Therefore the question, what can a family foundation do in terms of inheritance?

To illustrate this, here are the figures for the number of taxable inheritances and gifts in Germany from 2008 to 2021.

400 billion per year

180,000 inheritances per year

You can find more statistics at Statista

IE: By establishing a family foundation, family members can be provided with binding security during the founder’s lifetime. The clear structure of the foundation can help to defuse potential inheritance disputes in advance. This can be of great advantage, especially in the case of large estates or complex family structures.

Inheritance and mandatory shares

Another advantage of setting up a family foundation is that the founder can avoid the claim of children or parents to his inheritance (so-called claim to a compulsory portion) if he transfers the assets to the foundation ten years before his death. This can be particularly important if the founder intends to concentrate his assets on certain family members or if he wishes to support a charity, for example.

In addition, the establishment of a family foundation can also help to protect the assets from creditors. As long as the assets remain within the foundation, they cannot be seized by the founder’s creditors. This can be important for entrepreneurs who have a high personal liability risk or who operate in a particularly high-risk business field.

Tax advantages: Only 15% tax

FIV: Now to question that everyone is most interested in, what is it about “saving taxes” when you set up a family foundation?

IE: In Germany, the establishment of a family foundation can bring tax advantages. The foundation is subject to corporate income tax, which can lead to a lower tax burden compared to other types of companies such as a GmbH, which have to pay trade tax. In addition, donations to the foundation may be tax-deductible under certain conditions.

FIV: Can you explain that in more detail?

IE: Simply put:

You can legally lower your tax burden to 15% with a family trust.

FIV: With a family foundation you can legally reduce your tax burden in Germany to 15%, ok. How does that work and what does a “normal” GmbH pay?

IE: The establishment of a family foundation can indeed help to reduce the tax burden in Germany to 15%.

This is the corporate income tax levied on the income of the foundation.

In contrast, a “normal” GmbH must pay trade tax, which can vary depending on the municipality. In addition, there is corporate income tax, which is levied on the income of the GmbH and is usually higher than for a family foundation.

However, the 15% corporate income tax for family foundations only applies up to a certain exemption amount and depends on various factors such as the size of the assets and the structure of the foundation. But it pays off, especially over the years.

But we don’t want to go into too much detail!

Inheritance tax and gift tax

FIV: As far as I know, you also have advantages in terms of inheritance tax and gift tax, especially through the allowances, which are taxed more favorably and can thus be paid in year after year. Can you tell us something more about this?

IE: Unlike charitable foundations, the family foundation does not enjoy any automatic tax benefits – that’s just in advance. Nevertheless, it can offer great potential for tax optimization compared to other corporate forms.

Transfer of assets to the foundation

When assets are transferred to the foundation – in particular when they are established – gift or inheritance taxes are incurred. In the case of a “normal” private foundation, the unfavorable inheritance tax class 3 is generally applied. In the case of a family foundation, on the other hand, the relationship between the founder and the entitled family members (beneficiaries) is decisive. If only the spouse and the descendants (children, grandchildren) are beneficiaries, the favorable tax class 1 applies.

Here’s a tip on the side, we also have a handy gift tax calculator. Here you can calculate what typically has to be taxed.

However, in the case of family foundations, a fictitious inheritance is assumed every 30 years, on which inheritance taxes are incurred. Here, an allowance of 800,000 euros applies, the so-called double child allowance. Otherwise, the general regulations for inheritance and gift taxes apply. However, if there are favored business assets, the corresponding exemption discount can lead to significant tax savings.

If you would like to learn more about this, please visit our blog. I can recommend, among others, the articles Asset Protection and Vermögensschutz durch Familienstiftungen by our foundation expert.

FIV: Thank you for the insight into family foundations!

Summary: 10 Learnings on the Family Foundation

Let’s briefly summarize the most important facts for you.

	Learning foundation
1	A family foundation provides asset protection and estate planning for family assets and businesses.
2	A family foundation can protect assets from divorce, inheritance and break-up, thus avoiding inheritance disputes.
3	A family foundation provides a clear structure for managing and distributing assets and can preserve family peace.
4	By establishing a family foundation, family members can be provided with binding security during the founder’s lifetime.
5	A family foundation can circumvent the claim of children or parents to the inheritance (claim to a compulsory portion).
6	A family foundation can protect assets from creditors.
7	A family foundation can be used as an instrument of social responsibility.
8	A family foundation is subject to corporate income tax and can thus reduce the tax burden to 15%.
9	A family foundation offers great potential for tax optimization compared to other corporate forms.
10	In the case of a family foundation, the relationship between the founder and the beneficiary family members is decisive for the tax classes for gift or inheritance taxes.

Rent, buy, live in Gelsenkirchen

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

Gelsenkirchen at a glance

Gelsenkirchen from close up:

Rent: Tips on price development

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

Buy: Good yield and districts

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

Real estate and market in Gelsenkirchen: The interview

In an interview, we got to know a renowned real estate company from Gelsenkirchen better and asked everything about the real estate world. Here you will learn everything from incidental costs to the best investments.

Interview Partner: Schenk Real Estate

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

Thorsten Schenk: We mediate any type of residential real estate such as condominiums, houses, apartment buildings and land. Here we purchase and letting made. In addition then still objects on the favorite island of the Germans Mallorca come. Of course we also mediate commercial properties. As a further service we offer the mediation of notaries, lawyers, financing and craftsmen. Also we have now care real estate and micro apartments in the offer.

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

Thorsten Schenk: The company Immobilien Schenk prefers to broker residential properties of any kind. Commercial properties of any kind are also interesting, because they are always different and you always see new facilities and buildings.

Gelsenkirchen district:

Districts with a future: Buer, Sutum & Resse

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

Thorsten Schenk: The most popular districts are in the north of Gelsenkirchen with the districts of Buer, Resse, Resser-Mark, Erle and also still Sutum. But there are also very nice places to live throughout the city.

Buer is a popular district in Gelsenkirchen:

Market prices Gelsenkirchen: The development

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

Thorsten Schenk: There are many older properties in Gelsenkirchen and they need to be renovated. This means that rents could also be adjusted. Many investors are currently coming to the Ruhr region to buy properties, because there are no more properties to buy cheaply in the big cities.

Rent or buy? Broker assessment

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 Gelsenkirchen?

Thorsten Schenk: It always depends on where you personally see yourself in old age. I know many people who see their retirement home abroad. And of course it also depends on income. But in general, property is a good choice.

Real estate agent Thorsten Schenk:

Beginner mistakes when buying real estate

FIV: Anyone who rents in Gelsenkirchen 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?

Thorsten Schenk: With many first-time buyers, you simply don’t really see the monthly burden and the additional costs for managing the property. In addition, the entry prices are too high today because people want to have a property at all costs.

Taxes and incidental expenses incurred

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

Thorsten Schenk: In NRW we have 6.5% land transfer tax, for the notary you can add a good 2% and then the brokerage fee. Depending on the property and the broker, this is between 2.5% and 5% plus VAT.

Incidental costs in NRW:

• Real estate transfer tax: 6.5%
• Notary: 2%
• Depending on object/broker 2.5% to 5%

Capital investment Gelsenkirchen: Buy and rent

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

Thorsten Schenk: The districts in the north with Buer, Erle and Resse certainly have the best potential.

Living room in a single-family house in Gelsenkirchen:

Investment in conversion and expansion of old building

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

Thorsten Schenk: In my opinion, the conversion and expansion of old buildings have the greatest potential in Gelsenkirchen because of the purchasing power. I would also say smaller single-family homes with gardens.

Typical mistakes when buying a property

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 Gelsenkirchen, 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 Gelsenkirchen?

Thorsten Schenk: You have to know the local conditions in the Ruhr area and understand the language of the Ruhrpott.

Thanks to Thorsten Schenk for the interview!

Rent, buy, live in Gelsenkirchen

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

• Real estate agent Gelsenkirchen

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

Rent, buy, live in Nuremberg

Our interview partner, has specialized in brokering, selling and renting real estate in Nuremberg 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.

Overview of Nuremberg and surrounding cities:

Nuremberg from close up:

Rentals: Service charges

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

Buy: Investment

Find your new home in attractive districts of Nuremberg 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 Munich.

Interview about the Nuremberg real estate market

Are you looking for a suitable property in Nuremberg? 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 Nuremberg? 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 Nuremberg.

Real estate agent Christian Reinhart – The company in Nuremberg

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

C. Reinhart: As a real estate agent’s office, our focus is on the sale and rental of residential real estate. I.e. we mediate inventory real estates such as free-hold apartments and houses to capital investors and owner-occupiers. Our specialty is the sale of multi-family houses to investors, which we often broker “offmarket”, i.e. without public advertising, due to our good network.

Surroundings in Nuremberg:

FIV: As an agent in Nuremberg, which properties do you personally prefer to broker?

C. Reinhart: Every property is unique and is valued equally by us. However, we prefer to find new homes for young families.

Neighborhoods with a future in Nuremberg

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

C. Reinhart: Beyond the typical preferred residential areas such as Erlenstegen, Zabo, Johannis or the old town: Gostenhof in particular is a great residential area for young people with a lot of potential.

Gostenhof district:

Development of real estate prices

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

C. Reinhart: Both rents and purchase prices for residential real estate have risen significantly in recent years. This trend is unbroken, but in the medium term we expect prices to stabilize at a high level or fall slightly. Above all, the many attractive new construction projects of recent years should contribute to this.

Dining room area in a loft:

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 Nuremberg?

C. Reinhart: If it is financially feasible to buy a property, we would prefer this option to renting. Of course, this always depends on the individual situation and also on whether a suitable property in the desired location is available for purchase at all.

Avoid typical first-time buyer mistakes

FIV: Anyone who rents in Nuremberg is relatively flexible and can move if necessary. Anyone who buys a property, whether a home or a condominium, is tied to the property for the long term at least 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?

C. Reinhart: A typical mistake when buying for the first time is to compromise on location. I.e. it is better to pay “too much” for the right property than to buy a “bargain” in a bad location that does not fit in the long run. A somewhat too high purchase price is soon compensated. A problematic location, e.g. on a main road, cannot be corrected without further ado.

Taxes and incidental expenses incurred

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

C. Reinhart: The ancillary purchase costs are usually around 8-10% of the purchase price. These consist of the property tax of 3.5% levied in Bavaria. Notary costs of 1.5% and broker commission of 3.5% together.

Incidental expenses:

• Total 8-10% from the purchase price
• 3.5% Property tax
• 1.5% Notary fees
• 3.5% brokerage commission

Here you can see a bedroom:

Real estate as an investment: safeguarding the future

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

C. Reinhart: The preferred 1a location for capital investors is Nuremberg’s Old Town with the Sebald and Lorenz districts. Due to the high tourist attractiveness and the good mix and the large offer of shopping facilities, events, gastronomy and great residential locations, top prices are also achieved here. This contributes to an increase in value and value retention. Otherwise, many other Nuremberg residential locations offer attractive opportunities for capital investors. Particular future opportunities are attributed to districts such as Johannis and Gostenhof.

Attractive districts in Nuremberg:

• Sebald
• Lorenz
• St. John’s
• Gostenhof

Sebald district:

Real estate with the most future opportunities

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

C. Reinhart: Nuremberg offers attractive opportunities for capital investors in all real estate categories. However, as a student city and tourist magnet, we would like to highlight small residential units such as apartments and 1-room apartments here as particularly attractive for capital investors.

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 Nuremberg, 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 Nuremberg?

C. Reinhart: The central basis for a successful real estate sale is professional market pricing.

If the price is set too high, the property is “burned” on the market. If the price is too low sellers give away money

Here, a competent real estate agent with expertise and market knowledge is the ideal partner for owners to bring together the interests of the parties involved from the price setting to the successful notary appointment.

Rent, buy, live in Nuremberg

The real estate market in Nuremberg 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 best real estate agents from Nuremberg, who can make your dream of your property possible.

• Real estate agent Nuremberg

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

Rent, buy, live in Leipzig

The optimal entry into the real estate world is the purchase of the first condominium. Our interview partner specializes in the brokerage, sale and rental of real estate in Leipzig. For this very reason, we talked about attractive districts, financing options and the Leipzig real estate market in an interview. Here you can learn everything about buying your first apartment, different types of houses and types of apartments.

Here you can see Leipzig at a glance:

Leipzig up close:

Rent: Contract & Settlement

After the successful purchase of the property and the execution of the purchase contract, you will naturally want to furnish your freshly acquired property according to its individual needs. Then you should definitely know more about bedroom furnishing and beautiful terrace design. Home is where you feel comfortable!

Purchase: Borrow

Find your new home in attractive neighborhoods of Leipzig like Connewitz, Bachviertel and Graphisches Viertel. Are you also interested in other cities in Germany? We have selected other interesting cities for you, such as Dresden, Cologne and Halle-Saale.

Real Estate Interview in Leipzig

The real estate market in Leipzig is large and complex. It is easy to lose track of the current market prices and the selection of offers. It is important to know the basic facts in order to avoid serious mistakes when buying real estate and, above all, to save a lot of money. For this very reason, we spoke with a real estate agent from Leipzig, who reveals everything about property taxes, ancillary costs, popular districts and the most effective capital investments.

Interview partner Ic Immoconsult

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

Ron Kaufmann: I founded IC Immoconsult e. K. in 2009. I am a native of Leipzig, a child of the GDR, so to speak. However, I have been in the real estate business since 1996. From this time I have business and friendly contacts until today, which is remarkable in any case. The resulting field of trust is a building block of success. Likewise, since the beginning we have received super ratings in Google and the real estate portals for our work, or for the properties. That is also a building block. And we are only successful when we have brought together satisfied landlords / sellers and satisfied tenants / buyers.

Real estate orders and target work

Ron Kaufmann: We originally came from the rental of apartments and commercial space and then had more sales transactions after the real estate crisis from around 2008. It must be clearly stated that we also enjoy renting very much, even if sales are of course more lucrative in terms of turnover. But the fun at the job stands for us in the 1st place. That is the backbone of good and goal-oriented work. In the end, we have no special preferences of the property. We look at each real estate order and develop with the client an agenda to the property.

Apartment building in Leipzig:

FIV: As an agent in Leipzig, which properties do you personally prefer to broker?

Ron Kaufmann: As described above, it’s also fun to broker difficult properties. After all, everyone can rent and sell the “raisins”, right? So there is no such thing as a favorite property.

District: A-location, student corner & center

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

Ron Kaufmann: Let me put it this way – there are not really bad and good locations, since Leipzig’s districts are clustered around the manageable center. Of course, there are AAA locations, student corners, commercial locations ect. In 2022 it is generally hard to get a dream apartment (whether renting or buying) in your dream location. Also the gap between rent and yield is widening in the meantime. So that it must be looked then rather, what gives the purse or the bank.

The “roasted pigeons” have not been flying around in Leipzig for a long time. Thanks to many project and neighborhood developments, even peripheral areas and the “Speckgürtel” of Leipzig have potential. All of them now have all the prerequisites for the private and social sectors.

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

Ron Kaufmann: On average, rents will rise if you only consider development costs and construction prices, among other things. In addition, of course, there are political decisions that regulate, among other things, the labor market, financing, etc.. But Leipzig also has a very good reputation and life here is also very pleasant for many “foreigners”.

Fitted kitchen in a single-family house in Leipzig:

Rent or buy? Broker assessment

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 Leipzig?

Ron Kaufmann: Owning a property as an investment or for personal use is not the wrong decision. A young person, of course, has an easier time with repayment than someone buying in their late 40s. But there are always third parties (bank, property location and property equipment, sense of use, equity) that play a role in what is possible and what is not.

First time buyer errors and experiences

FIV: Anyone who rents in Leipzig 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?

Ron Kaufmann: If you no longer want to use the property yourself, you can also rent it out in Leipzig so that the tenant covers the ideal loan installment. What now first-time buyer errors are exactly, I do not know so. If the buyer asks the real estate agent in advance and the buyer also informs himself somewhat in advance, few mistakes can occur.

Taxes and ancillary costs: What should you expect?

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

Ron Kaufmann: Things are still looking good, since the real estate transfer tax is still 3.5% of the sales amount in Saxony. In other federal states this goes up to 6%. The notary should be about 1.8% of the purchase price. There I can speak only for Leipzig. And the brokerage costs. This can be differentiated by the type of property.

Incidental expenses:

• Real estate transfer tax: 3.5%
• Notary fees: 1.8%
• Brokerage costs: Individual according to property type

Real estate as an investment: Best location

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

Ron Kaufmann: There is no bad situation in Leipzig. There is demand everywhere from every social class. The better the floor plan and furnishings (e.g. also when renovated after second occupancy), the better the rent, but also the purchase price.

Here you can see an office building:

Real estate and its future opportunities

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

Ron Kaufmann: That depends on the financing possibilities of the buyer. If he pays 20,000 € monthly negative interest, he should buy a multi-family house ect. Buy the parents for their child a dwelling, which studies in Leipzig, there the situation to the university must be perhaps good. The next wants to buy cheap, high-quality renovate and “develop” the rent. The approaches are different each time and not comparable.

But in general, out-of-towners want to live in a renovated apartment in an old building, because they don’t know it from their old place of residence. Newly built apartments usually have underground parking spaces underneath. This is also a decisive factor for many people. That’s why Goethe (Leipzig is my Little Paris) and Schiller already felt at home here.

Safe real estate purchase: avoid mistakes

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

Ron Kaufmann: Find a broker you can trust. The buyer should already have an idea of the selling price. A broker is more of a price enforcer on the sales market. And getting to know each other personally on the phone is the first step. Before that, the seller should read up a bit on the broker and check his Internet presence.

A market and sales strategy is found when we know the key facts.

Rent, buy, live in Leipzig

The real estate market in Leipzig 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 Leipzig, which can make your dream of your property possible.

• Broker Leipzig

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

Rent, buy, live in Leipzig

Our interview partner, has specialized in the mediation, selling and renting of real estate in Leipzig and the surrounding area. We have talked with the real estate agent from Leipzig in an interview 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.

Here you can see Leipzig at a glance:

Leipzig up close:

Rent: Tips on price development

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

Buy: Good yield and districts

Find your new home in attractive districts of Leipzig such as Plagwitz, Connewitz or Gholis and avoid serious mistakes with your purchase! Find out what you should know before you buy in this article! Are you also interested in cities in NRW? We have selected other interesting cities for you, such as Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf.

Interview about the Leipzig real estate market

In an interview, we got to know a Leipzig real estate company better and asked everything about the real estate world. Here you can find out everything from incidental purchase costs to the best capital investments.

Interview Partner: Home Real Estate

FIV: Before we go into Leipzig and its real estate market and your recommendations for tenants and buyers, we would like to know a little more about your agency “Nach Hause Immobilien”. Could you briefly summarize for our readers what your agency does and what you specialize in?

Daniela Kasch: The vision of our real estate agents is to give the real estate industry a righteous and human face. The purchase and also the sales of a real estate are finally very special and for the most part also very emotional life moments. Our founder, Daniela Kasch, herself comes from a management consulting background and today, as a certified appraiser and business economist, can count herself among the most popular real estate agents in the city with a team of five outstanding female brokers.

Due to her membership in the BNI – Business Network International – a professional association of regional business people, Daniela Kasch has an extensive network throughout Germany and is in constant exchange with financing specialists, architects and appraiser colleagues about the real estate market. A real estate sale is characterized by memories and the course towards new goals.

We accompany and support on this exciting journey, with know-how, many years of experience, empathy and personality from the first thought to the joyful toast after the notary appointment. Since 2010, Nach Hause Immobilien GmbH & Co KG has accompanied the purchase and sale of real estate in the Leipzig area and our entire team is aware that sellers and buyers place great trust in us.

It is not only our mission to achieve the best possible price in the shortest possible time, but also to find a worthy successor for the properties that have often been the living space of our clients for years. In recent years, we have been able to reunite hundreds of properties with new residents or users. We focus mainly on the areas of single-family homes, condominiums and apartment buildings.

Mediation of trendy real estate

FIV: As an agent in Leipzig, which properties do you personally prefer to broker?

Daniela Kasch: The sale of real estate should be carefree and, above all, a pleasure – that is our claim for every owner who wants to part with his property. The more trusting and attentive the cooperation is, the more motivation there is to market the property. Properties where personal stories have been written, divorce properties, historic estates and older estate houses not only demand our mediation talent, but also our marketing know-how.

Also for this reason, these properties are welcome orders in our brokerage office. When selling rented and non-rented condominiums, we carefully consider whether the prospective buyers are owner-occupiers or capital investors. For owner-occupants it is more convenient if the condominiums they wish to purchase are not rented.

In this way, one avoids the notice of owner-occupancy and does not leave behind any worried tenants at the viewings. If the prospective buyers are capital investors, it is of course an easier process if the apartments are already rented. This way, the capital investor can count on secure rental income from day one.

Leipzig old building apartment:

Future districts: Schleußig, Leutzsch & Connewitz

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

Daniela Kasch: Gentrifying and popular neighborhoods for young people, singles and the like in Leipzig are the trendy Südvorstadt district, the hot spot Connewitz, the creative Plagwitz district, Schleußig and the attractive neighborhoods around Leipzig’s Clara Zetkin Park. Families with children are more likely to be drawn to picturesque Gohlis, the quiet garden suburb of Marienbrunn, or Leutzsch, Böhlitz Ehrenberg and Knautkleeberg for the nature lovers among our shoppers. The peripheral areas close to the city are also currently in particularly high demand, as it still seems financially possible for young families to purchase here, or at least there is hope of an affordable purchase price.

Live beautifuly in:

• Connewitz
• Plagwitz
• Schleußig
• Clara Zetkin Park
• Gohlis
• Marienbrunn
• Leutzsch
• Böhlitz-Ehrenberg
• Knautkleeberg

Marienbrunn district

On our homepage, we have created location descriptions for the advantages and flaws of the corresponding residential locations. In our real estate exposés you can also find out what makes the property and its surroundings so special. For each real estate offer the prospective customer receives an extensive documentation. From technical documents to evidence of ownership and ancillary costs, there is a digital file that gives prospective buyers a precise insight into the property details.

We generally recommend to our prospective buyers that the financing of the property is already clarified before the viewing, in order to be able to prove this in writing at the viewing, if possible. For this purpose we have prepared a guideline for our prospective buyers, so that also here – at least organizationally – nothing can go wrong. So they are then in a position to make a speedy decision when their gut feeling is also right. The probability of being outbid by other numerous competitors is quite low in this case.

Rental price development in the Leipzig area

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

Daniela Kasch: Leipzig’s housing market can be described as dynamic, but compared with cities such as Berlin or Munich, rental and purchase prices in the trade fair metropolis have risen rather moderately. Currently, the prospects are uncertain, some discourage based on the population growth of recent years with impending housing shortages and unaffordable rents, others predict that the many new construction projects could lead to new vacancies.

The average rent in Leipzig in 2019 was between €5.50/m² and €7.00/m². These figures reflect existing rents and asking rents. Existing rents relate to actual rents for existing tenancies and asking rents are the rents at which apartments are offered on the internet or in other media. In order to assess the market development in Leipzig correctly, some basic considerations would have to be made first.

To put it simply, it is important to remember that the housing market is made up of supply and demand, as well as other key indicators. Since supply does not currently match demand, it is not possible to speak of a balanced housing market. This tight market is therefore characterized by rising rents. In Leipzig, demand has developed more dynamically in recent years than in any other city.

Apartments built in prefabricated slab construction still have rents below the citywide average, while rents in refurbished old and new buildings are above average. Thus, in this level today one can rather expect apartment offers with a rent of 8.50 €/m² to 10.00 €/m².

Rent prices in comparison:

• 2019: 5,50 € to 7,00 € per m²
• 2022: 8,50 € to 10,00 € per m²

Luxurious family house:

Broker recommendation: Rent or buy?

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

Daniela Kasch: Germany has always been considered a country of renters, as the data from the Federal Statistical Office show. About 50% of real estate is occupied for rent, and there are historical reasons for this. Today the restraint is owed to the fact that living became more expensive, thus many city dwellers simply cannot afford their own real estate. Many factors make it difficult to buy real estate. Since the corporate purpose of Nach Hause Immobilien is the sale of real estate, we are biased on this issue, because we generally recommend buying.

Whether renting or buying is the better recommendation depends not only on age but above all on what one’s own life plans envisage.

We would like to advise young families to buy real estate, because the old adage “material value beats monetary value” still holds true today. Older people, on the other hand, we recommend renting an apartment after selling real estate, because what was not a problem in the past can cloud the joy of owning your own little house in old age. The garden is more work than fun. The children’s rooms have been unused for years. The stairs to the upper floor are becoming more and more arduous. Perhaps the time has come to put down new roots, sell the cottage, become financially independent and start the fourth phase of life carefree with a comfortable, barrier-free apartment.

Typical first-time buyer mistakes: tips & experiences

FIV: Anyone who rents in Leipzig 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?

Daniela Kasch: Anyone buying real estate for the first time faces many questions. It is therefore useful to prepare well in advance in order to carry out the real estate purchase safely and without risks. We support our buyers in their preparation. And so that they can plan reliably, we have developed a guide on how the real estate purchase will be successful. And for this, first of all, it is absolutely necessary that the prospective buyers bring all the people who are important for their decision making to the viewing appointment.

In this way, they are able to clarify the points that are open to you and can make an unhindered and binding decision. The right financing advice is what counts: The most important stage to the purchase of the property is the financing concept, because today we conduct viewings only with those interested parties who have clarified the financing of the property and can prove this in writing. A common mistake made by first-time buyers is the assumption that they need to have seen the property before they talk to a financing advisor.

Bedroom in Leipzig apartment:

Now put yourself in the seller’s position: Why should the owner of the offered property let you into his house if he doesn’t even know whether you can afford this property at all. Also the purchase from private holds high risks. Here saving can become then correctly expensive. Simply put, two beginners meet each other here.

Our prospective buyers can avoid the most common beginner’s mistakes by hiring an experienced real estate agent for the purchase, who supports and guides them, procures all documents for their financing bank, prepares an informative exposé for them, explains a purchase contract, checks floor plans and living spaces, takes over their dealings with the authorities, determines the market price, negotiates with the seller, points out critical areas to them and recommends the property to them without hesitation. Because buying real estate is not “without”.

Service charges & taxes: You have to reckon with that!

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

Daniela Kasch: Incidental purchase costs are incurred with every real estate purchase. In addition to the purchase price, buyers of a property must factor in incidental costs of around 10 to 12 percent, because different rules may apply in each federal state and different brokerage commissions may apply depending on the type of property. For example, if a single-family home is offered by a real estate agent, a brokerage commission of 7.14 percent of the purchase price is due.

Since the end of December 2020, in accordance with the new commission law, the buyer and seller share this brokerage commission, so that the purchaser of this single-family house must calculate a brokerage fee of 3.57 percent. The next cost item is for the notarization of the purchase contract and the entry in the land register. These fees amount to around 2 percent of the purchase price. The last cost item to be mentioned is the land transfer tax (GrESt). The amount varies between 3.5 and 6.5 percent depending on the federal state and is currently 3.5 percent in Saxony.

Incidental expenses:

• Commission 7,14 % of the purchase price
• Notary + land register 2 %
• Real estate transfer tax 3.5
• Total 10-12 % Incidental costs

Real estate as an investment

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

Daniela Kasch: In our opinion, investors will find the most future opportunities in the outskirts of the city, because this is where the greatest development potential lies and purchase prices have not yet been exhausted in the peripheral areas. Popular peripheral areas are, for example, Markkleeberg, Markranstädt or also Großpösna and Taucha. However, if you have the opportunity to purchase a property in districts such as Schleußig or Plagwitz at a moderate purchase price, then you should strike here.

Popular fringe areas:

• Markkleeberg
• Markranstädt
• Großpösna
• Taucha
• Schleußig
• Plagwitz

Markranstädt at a glance:

Schleußig district:

These two districts are very popular with families due to their proximity to the city center, the direct water connection to the river “Weiße Elster” and their proximity to the Clara Zetkin Park. Due to the fact that there are many families with children in these two districts, living space is always needed and also sought in this area.

Real estate with a future: listed properties, apartments & student housing

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

Daniela Kasch: As a native of Leipzig, I have to say that Leipzig as a real estate location is in principle a location with a future. (Laughing face) Nevertheless, this question cannot be answered simply in one sentence, because it is important to ask which type of real estate best suits the investor. Here one must discuss exactly what the ideas and goals of the real estate buyer are.

For example, does the investor have a very high taxable income? In this case, an investment in a listed property can make sense in order to reduce the annual tax burden. Investments in listed properties are very popular anyway because, in addition to the depreciation on listed buildings, they are often also subsidized by the KfW Bank. Another point is, for example, the question of the target tenant group.

Many investors like to buy 2-room apartments, preferably as apartments, equipped with a fitted kitchen. Leipzig is a student city, so such an investment can always make sense. Of course, always provided that the return is right.

Broker tips & first steps

FIV: Finally, one more question: You mentioned the typical buying mistakes of a property. Many buy, but some also want to sell. As an experienced broker in Leipzig, 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 Leipzig?

Daniela Kasch: At least once in a lifetime, the moment comes when the previous home no longer fits. Whether it has become too big or too small, the family situation has changed or a move to another city is pending – in any case, we are familiar with these situations and accompany the change to the new four walls in a particularly uncomplicated and charming way. Above all, we ensure that no mistake is made in this situation when selling the property.

Kitchen with dining room area:

We find the fairest price for the property and with a few adjusting screws we can still optimize the price. For example, it sometimes makes sense to spruce up the property with a light renovation or to present the property to potential buyers for viewing in a particularly homely ambience with borrowed furniture – so-called “home staging”. Even if a marriage or relationship breaks down, the joint home does not have to become a cost trap, but should provide both parties with a good financial cushion for a new start.

As trained mediators, we brokers circumnavigate every war of the roses and always keep the greatest benefit for all in focus. We organize flyers, direct mailing, marketing in internet portals, presentation on our homepage and in print media. Your property has now generated a lot of attention. Now it is time to separate the wheat from the chaff among the interested parties. Only a suitable preselection comes to the viewings, in order to spare you the “inspection tourists” in your four walls.

We negotiate with buyers according to your specifications – something that also needs to be learned. The most promising prospective buyers are subjected to a credit check, so the owners are spared the unpleasant question about the financial framework of the possible buyers. It is often helpful to also offer the potential buyers healthy financing, so that the sellers can get their money without complications.

With the notarization of the purchase contract at the notary, the purchase is bindingly completed. And even after that, we are still at your side, e.g. when you move into your new dream property.

In conclusion, the sale of a property follows a well-planned strategy.

At every stage of this process, you have both the professional experience and the passion for the property at your side with the female brokers. Each phase is planned and carried out with the necessary care and the possible speed, so that for the owners the sale of your property is not a stressful feat, but the most exciting business of your life.

Many thanks to Daniela Kasch for the interview!

Rent, buy, live in Leipzig

The real estate market in Leipzig 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 15 best real estate agents from Gelsenkirchen, who can make your dream of your property possible.

• Broker Leipzig

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

Rent, buy, live in Wuppertal

Our interview partner specializes in the brokerage, sale and rental of real estate in Wuppertal. In an interview 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.

Wuppertal at a glance:

Wuppertal from close up:

Rentals: Service charges

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

Purchase: New construction to old building

Find your new home in attractive neighborhoods of Wuppertal and avoid serious mistakes in your purchase! What you should know before your purchase you will learn 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 about Wuppertal real estate

Are you looking for a suitable property in Wuppertal? But are you wondering which are the most popular districts to live in, whether it is better to rent or buy now, or how high the ancillary costs and taxes are in Wuppertal? 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 the region.

Oertel real estate team about the real estate market

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

Oertel Immobilien: We are primarily specialized in investment properties such as multi-family houses as well as commercial properties. However, we started our brokerage activities with condominiums and one/two-family houses. We now have a separate department for this and it receives equal attention from us. From time to time we get inquiries from owners whether we can use our marketing strategy also for renting – of course we help with such a request.

Our marketing strategy is modern and process-oriented. We value fairness with sellers and buyers and our cleverly devised processes mean that there is no room for dubious brokerage. At the end of the day, we live primarily from referrals and are delighted when buyers and sellers alike are happy to sign the contract.

Bathroom in a Wuppertal apartment:

Mediation from land to houses

FIV: As an agent in Wuppertal, which properties do you personally prefer to broker?

Oertel Immobilien: Buyers of commercial and investment properties are experienced in buying real estate and know exactly what is needed for their own decision and for the financing bank. In this respect, buyers demand a very good service and we naturally meet this requirement. It is fun to see convinced customers. It is even better when this leads to new contacts in one’s own network. However, we can by no means limit ourselves, as every property has its own charm. We build up high sympathy with every property.

Neighborhoods in Wuppertal with opportunities for the future

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

Oertel Immobilien: One of my employees moved to Wuppertal from Düsseldorf with his partner, and since then he has never wanted to return to Düsseldorf. He feels diversity and cohesion in Wuppertal. He is convinced by the architecture of the buildings as well as by the natural leisure facilities. All districts have their own charm. In the Briller Viertel or on the Cronenberg one lives exclusively, in Barmen the rents are relatively inexpensive, in the Nordstadt it is particularly communal, in the Südstadt one is quickly at the university and in Beyenburg one lives in the country. As you can see, there is something for everyone.

Neighborhoods with charm:

• Brill quarter
• Cronenberg
• North City
• South City
• Beyenburg

Briller Viertel at a glance:

Rental price development in recent years to date

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

Oertel Immobilien: Wuppertal has been developing at breakneck speed for a decade and, due to its good transport links, is also becoming increasingly interesting for people from surrounding cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf or Dortmund. Compared to the aforementioned cities, the rent here continues to be lower, which is why people decide to move to Wuppertal. However, the demand for real estate offers is also very high here and the rents have not been as cheap for a long time as you might remember from the past.

It is likely that rents will continue to rise. The old properties are gradually being renovated, turning them into very nice old buildings with high ceilings and large windows, which is why the price per square meter is also rising. New construction projects are also not being finished fast enough so that the demand could be satisfied.

Here you can see a wardrobe in a granny apartment:

Broker assessment: rent or buy

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 Wuppertal?

Oertel Immobilien: That’s a very individual question that everyone has to answer for themselves.

If someone has the opportunity to purchase a property, he should do so.

Real estate prices will not fall so easily and with the favorable loans currently, it has not been so appealing to become the owner of a property for a long time. If single people or young couples at some point the property becomes too small, they have made an investment for the future at a young age and benefit from it when you want to buy a larger property.

Home and condominium: buy or rent

FIV: Anyone who rents in Wuppertal 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?

Oertel Immobilien: First-time buyers like to make the mistake of not getting enough advice, but at the same time, a property is usually sold quickly, so you don’t have the opportunity to think long and hard about a purchase offer. The lack of knowledge makes it so difficult, which is why it is advisable to observe the market beforehand. Only when you feel confident and you know exactly what kind of real estate you want to buy, you should take the first steps to buy real estate.

It makes sense if the financing is already clarified with the bank in advance. In case of questions, an open and honest communication with the real estate agent is helpful, because this avoids doubts and wrong decisions.

Living and dining room area in family house:

Service charges and taxes in NRW

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

Oertel Immobilien: A real estate buyer is usually aware to include the brokerage fee and incidental purchase costs. Depending on the broker, the commission can range from 0 to 10%. The land transfer tax for Wuppertal is 6.5% and the notary takes about 2% for the notarization.

• Broker commission: 0 – 10%
• Real estate transfer tax: 6.5%
• Notary: 2%

Often the cost of renovation and relocation is underestimated and not factored in.

Investment: Wuppertal districts with a future

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

Oertel Immobilien: That varies from project to project. If you want to take a certain risk and invest in an inexpensive property, which may increase in value in a few years, you are probably served with the district Oberbarmen & Heckinghausen. If you want security, you buy an expensive investment property in Elberfeld-, in Barmen or in Vohwinkel-Zentrum.

Districts that increase the value of the property:

• Oberbarmen
• Heckinghausen
• Elberfeld
• Vohwinkel

Heckinghausen at a glance:

For those who bring time and do not necessarily pay attention to securities and quick profit, are probably better served with Oberbarmen and surroundings. But beware, it is up to the property whether it is worth the investment or not. It is important to have a close look at the property and to know the history behind the house. Thus one avoids bad investments in allegedly promising locations. If one is not careful, one buys too expensive a building plot with a demolition object.

Real estate types with future opportunities

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

Oertel Immobilien: Wuppertal stands out with its old building charm and lovers of such properties appreciate this. Due to the fact that there are still enough old buildings and hardly any space for new construction, people are forced to invest in existing properties. Some of these are in need of renovation or are already up to date and ready for the first move. Both with the one and with the other one stands on good ground.

Suspension railroad: landmark of Wuppertal

The suspension railroad in Wuppertal is the city’s trademark. It runs a 13-kilometer route and stops at a total of 16 stations. With 80,000 users per day, it is an everyday means of transport for the city’s residents, but is also a popular attraction for tourists.

Typical myths in the sale of real estate

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 broker in Wuppertal, 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 Wuppertal?

Oertel Immobilien: Three fatal myths exist among many sellers.

Typical myths:

1. Myth: “I set the price higher and I can always go down”.
2. Myth: “I have time and do not have to sell directly”.
3. Myth: “I’ll try it myself first. I can always call in a broker”.

With each seller, we address these myths during a consultation and help avoid the worst mistakes. Apart from that, self-sellers can pick up a free guide from us, in which we explain in seven steps how to sell at the best price. But to be honest, very few people manage to do that. The very fact that the owner usually has a full-time job and can’t answer the high number of inquiries fast enough, he loses serious prospective buyers.

We are specialized in this. It is our job to sell the property successfuly. We do this every day and know what buyers want, what measures are necessary and what must be paid special attention to when selling.

Thanks to Oertel Immobilien for the interview!

Rent, buy, live in Wuppertal

The real estate market in Wuppertal 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 best real estate agents from Wuppertal, who can make your dream of your property possible.

• Real estate agent Wuppertal

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

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

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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

Real Estate Magazine Issue: Special with Graft Architecture Office

The latest issue of FIV is all about real estate: the successful architecture firm Graft gives us an exclusive interview about their company, interesting projects and their passion for architecture. In our big apartment and house guide we introduce you to different apartment and house types, so you can find exactly the property that suits you perfectly. Have fun browsing!

• Graft architectural office

Real Estate Magazine Issue: “The Crown

The latest issue of FIV is something very special: The eleventh issue of our magazine is all about real estate. We report on The Crown, a luxury new construction project in Hamburg’s HafenCity. We also introduce you to the most popular and exclusive interior brands: From Armani Casa to Robert Cavalli Home , there are great brands to furnish your property stylishly. Matching the presented interior brands we show you in our furniture special what you have to pay attention to when buying tables, armchairs, sofas and co. Have fun browsing and get inspired!

• The Crown

Real Estate Magazine Issue: Buying Real Estate in Germany

The latest issue of our FIV Magazine is a collaboration between FIV Magazine and Lukinski. In the magazine you will learn everything about buying real estate: Where is the best place to buy real estate, what do I need to consider and what about taxes? After reading our magazine you are guaranteed to be a real estate expert. So have fun browsing through it!

• Buy property in Germany

Real Estate Magazine Issue: Real Estate in the USA

The latest issue of our FIV Magazine is all about real estate in the USA. Have you always wondered how to best invest in real estate in the USA and how the tax system in America works? Then our magazine is the right place for you, have fun browsing!

• Real estate in the USA

New issue#13: Buying property in Germany

Here you will find a small overview of the topics printed in the new issue:

• Buying real estate in Germany: Overview of major cities
• Everything about buying real estate: tips & explanations
• Taxes: Everything about taxes!

Read online! Now on fivmagazine.com

Read the whole magazine online as well:

• FIV Issue #13

Buying real estate: wealth accumulation, investment & inflation

The inflation of money is omnipresent. If you invest money today, it will only be worth half in 30 years. This article compares the classic investment of money in the bank with a capital investment in the form of real estate. Real estate creates “real value. Find out what that means here!

• Buying real estate – First property purchase

Taxes: Basics, Real Estate, Books, Videos, Tips & Tricks – Guidebook

Taxes are often a tiresome topic, especially in Germany. A tax advisor can help or you can learn how taxes work. It is not that difficult! Wage tax, value added tax, real estate transfer tax (read more here: Taxes in Germany) and much more: it’s not easy to keep track of everything. But if you are not interested in hiring an expensive tax consultant (read more about tax consultant costs), you have to deal with the topic of taxes intensively. We want to help you with that! Here you will find an overview of guides as well as book and video tips on the subject of taxes. Whether we introduce you to individual types of German taxes or you watch a video on the subject of tax returns, all your questions about German taxes will be answered here.