A Buyer's Guide to Real Estate
What you need to know before buying property
Answers to the most important questions about buying real estate
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, or you're an investor looking to expand your real estate portfolio, there are many considerations to take into account before buying an apartment. However, experts agree that right now is exactly the right time to invest in residential property. As a long-term investment, real estate’s stability makes it crisis-resistant, and with the current unbeatably low interest rates, now is the time to buy in Germany. Home ownership investment is attractive and unique, and our buyer's guide will walk you through everything you need to know before making what could be the most important purchase of your life.
An Investment that Pays Off
STABILITY
The main personal reason for purchasing an apartment is a desire for stability, the opportunity to lay down some roots and make a more permanent home for yourself. You are free to renovate it at your own leisure, decorate it however you want, personalise it and truly make it a place of your own.
BUILDING UP EQUITY
When you make a payment towards your mortgage, some of that goes towards paying off the principal loan, which helps to build your equity in the property. Over time, as the value of the property increases, so does your equity in it. It will be a large initial outlay, but you stand to make more money in the end.
LOW INTEREST RATES
Mortgage costs are the main expenses for owning a home, and you don’t want to spend all your wages on your mortgage. Luckily this is rarely an issue, as German mortgage rates are among the lowest in the world.
Purchase Process
Reservation
If you need some time to think about your offer, to get further advice, or to seek financing approval, the property you are interested in can be reserved, free of charge, for up to three weeks.
General Power of Attorney
If necessary, the help of an independent solicitor can be sought. By signing a Power of Attorney authorisation (POA) relating to the property, the solicitor can act as your representative in all legal matters and as authorised recipient. After this, the purchasing process can begin.
Financing
With German mortgage rates amongst the lowest in the world, it makes perfect sense to arrange some kind of financing to assist you in buying an apartment. There are no restrictions on non-Germans, or non-EU citizens, from owning property or obtaining a mortgage in Germany. Although 100% mortgages are possible, a loan of 80% of the property’s value is far more likely. However, each case is individual, and depends on your own circumstances.
Draft Contract
A draft contract will be drawn up and provided for your approval. This will include our expert risk assessment (Due Diligence). In accordance with German law, after the fifteenth day of receipt, the contract can be signed.
Notarisation
The purchase contract must be certified by a notary. The buyer (or buyer’s representative), and seller sign the contract in the presence of the notary to officiate the sale. In addition to responsibility for the notarisation of the contract of sale, the notary often also arranges for its entry in the land register. The costs for these services amount to approximately 1-1.5% of the purchase price, plus VAT. Additional costs of around 0.5% are incurred for the land register entry itself.
Purchase
When purchasing a property in Germany, the buyer bears the transaction costs. These costs include the property transfer tax (6% of the purchase price in Berlin; 3.5% in Leipzig), the notary costs (around 1-1.5%), registry charges for property (approx. 0.5% of the purchase price) and the applicable estate agent’s commission (all EverEstate properties are commission-free).
Services
To ensure a hassle-free investment period, administrative services can be provided by our partner agencies. A property management team or letting service will act as the link between tenant and owner, and ensure the smooth running of the property.
Handover
Once financing is approved and purchase completed, the final handover takes place. Congratulations on acquiring your own property!
Your selling checklist
Have any questions?
Our real estate experts answer the most important questions about buying property in our real estate glossary.
- 35 years of market expertise
- Experts for property valuation
- Financing: 300+ partner banks