Four strands: buying, renting, selling and letting. The articles follow the steps in the order they come up, from the budget question through paperwork and viewings to the notary appointment or the handover of keys.
The price per square metre is the most commonly used metric in the real estate market – quick to calculate, easy to compare, and yet often misunderstood. Whether a value is cheap or expensive depends on how the living area was determined and what the price conceals. We show you how to calculate the price per square metre correctly, how high current values are in 2026, and where the limits of this metric lie.
» Read moreA few clicks, no cost and a property value on your screen in seconds – free online valuations are tempting. However, behind the quick result is a statistical estimation method with clear limitations, and you often pay not with money but with your contact details. We explain how these tools calculate, how accurate their values really are and how you can avoid the widespread data trap.
» Read moreIn private sales, several weeks often lie between the verbal commitment and the notary appointment – time during which a buyer may withdraw or another interested party may make a better offer. A reservation agreement is intended to secure precisely this phase, but legally it is more delicate than many owners think. We explain when a reservation in a private-to-private sale is permissible, how high the reservation fee may be, and which alternatives are often the safer route.
» Read moreOb Sie Ihre Immobilie ohne Makler verkaufen dürfen, ist schnell beantwortet: Sie dürfen es immer. Die eigentliche Frage lautet, ob der Alleingang zu Ihrer Situation passt – zu Ihrer Lage, Ihrer Zeit, Ihrer Erfahrung und Ihrem Objekt. Statt eines reinen Kostenvergleichs führen wir mit Ihnen deshalb eine ehrliche Eignungsprüfung durch, damit Sie wissen, ob der provisionsfreie Verkauf in Ihrem konkreten Fall die richtige Wahl ist.
» Read moreWer seine Immobilie ohne Makler verkauft, spart die Provision von mehreren tausend Euro – kostenlos ist der Verkauf deshalb aber nicht. Der Energieausweis, die Löschung der Grundschuld, eine mögliche Vorfälligkeitsentschädigung und die Inserate summieren sich schnell auf einige Hundert bis mehrere Tausend Euro. Wir zeigen Ihnen, welche Kosten beim Privatverkauf trotz gesparter Courtage auf Sie zukommen, wie hoch sie 2026 ausfallen und wo Sie sparen können.
» Read moreFrom the first photo to the handover of the keys, a private sale in Germany usually takes three to nine months – the exact duration depends primarily on location, price and preparation. Anyone selling without an estate agent has many of these factors in their own hands. We show you how long the individual phases realistically take and how you can noticeably speed up the sale.
» Read moreAnyone who sells their property without an estate agent saves the commission – but bears every legal obligation and every liability risk alone. The duty to provide information, liability for material defects and the energy performance certificate are not mere formalities, but binding requirements whose violation can catch up with you years after the sale. We show you which obligations you face as a private seller and how to avoid costly mistakes from the outset.
» Read moreAnyone who sells without an estate agent ultimately signs the same notarized purchase agreement as any other seller—but bears sole responsibility for understanding and reviewing the draft. Your security and money depend primarily on four components: the exclusion of liability, the payment terms, the security in the land register, and the handover. We explain what you, as a private seller, should look out for in the agreement and where the typical pitfalls lie.
» Read moreWhen selling privately, you take on many tasks yourself—but going to the notary remains mandatory. No real estate sale becomes legally effective without notarization. The good news: Organizing the notary appointment is easier than many sellers fear. We explain how to choose the notary, initiate the draft contract, and successfully complete the notarization without an estate agent.
» Read moreAnyone who sells without an estate agent saves the commission—but also takes on the task the agent would otherwise handle: checking the buyer’s ability to pay before going to the notary. A failed sale costs time, nerves and often money. We show you which documents allow you to assess a prospective buyer’s creditworthiness reliably, what data protection permits and how to protect yourself without appearing unprofessional.
» Read moreAnyone who sells a condominium without an agent saves a commission of easily several thousand euros – but must master not only the usual sales process, but also the special features of the condominium owners’ association (WEG). The declaration of division, minutes of owners’ meetings and service charges play a role here that does not arise when selling a house. We show you step by step how to sell your condominium privately, which documents you need and what you need to pay particular attention to as part of the association.
» Read moreWhether the desired amount ultimately lies on the notary’s table is decided during the price negotiation. Anyone selling without an estate agent conducts this conversation themselves – and thus keeps every trump card in hand, provided they are well prepared. We show you how to set a clever anchor price, determine your pain threshold and respond confidently to offers without giving away hard-earned money.
» Read moreAs soon as your listing goes online, your inbox fills up: dozens of enquiries, many of them non-binding, some unserious. Without an estate agent, you take on the preliminary work that would otherwise happen behind the scenes yourself – collecting, sorting and filtering prospective buyers. We show you how to manage enquiries systematically, pre-qualify prospective buyers and distinguish serious buyers from viewing tourists before investing time in appointments.
» Read moreDer Besichtigungstermin entscheidet oft darüber, ob aus einem Interessenten ein Käufer wird. Wer ohne Makler verkauft, leitet diesen Termin selbst – und kann mit guter Vorbereitung, einem klaren Ablauf und dem richtigen Auftreten viel bewirken. Wir zeigen Ihnen, wie Sie die Besichtigung Ihrer Immobilie souverän durchführen, welche Unterlagen und Pflichten dazugehören und wie Sie sich rechtlich wie persönlich absichern.
» Read moreWer seine Immobilie ohne Makler verkauft, steht schnell vor der entscheidenden Frage: Wo veröffentliche ich mein Angebot, damit möglichst viele passende Käufer es sehen? Die Auswahl reicht von den großen Immobilienportalen über Metasuchmaschinen und Provisionsfrei-Angebote bis hin zu Kleinanzeigen, Social Media und dem klassischen Aushang. Wir zeigen Ihnen, welcher Kanal sich für welchen Zweck eignet und wie Sie mit der richtigen Mischung die größte Reichweite erzielen.
» Read moreThe property listing is the first contact between your property and the future buyer—and often determines within seconds whether someone keeps reading or clicks away. A good listing informs, arouses interest, and at the same time fulfills the legally required information. We show you, building block by building block, how to formulate the headline, property description, mandatory information, and call to action so that readers become genuine prospects.
» Read moreGood photos are the first thing prospective buyers see of your property – and often the only thing they use to decide within a few seconds whether to keep reading. With the right preparation, good lighting and a few basic rules for image composition, you can take convincing listing photos even without expensive professional equipment. We show you what matters when photographing your property.
» Read moreDas Exposé ist Ihre Visitenkarte am Immobilienmarkt: Es weckt Interesse, beantwortet die ersten Fragen und entscheidet oft darüber, ob ein Interessent zur Besichtigung kommt. Wer privat verkauft, erstellt dieses Dokument selbst – und kann mit dem richtigen Aufbau überzeugen. Wir zeigen Ihnen, welche Bestandteile hineingehören, welche Angaben rechtlich Pflicht sind und wie Sie einen Beschreibungstext formulieren, der verkauft.
» Read moreWithout an estate agent, a task falls entirely to you that otherwise happens unnoticed in the background: compiling the sales documents. These documents are the foundation of every serious sale – without them, no bank will assess the buyer’s financing, and no notary will draw up the purchase agreement. With a complete checklist, we show you which official documents you need, where to obtain each document, and what costs arise.
» Read moreThe asking price is the most important decision before listing – it determines whether you sell quickly or wait months for interested buyers. The good news: Even without an estate agent and without an expensive appraisal, you can determine a realistic price using freely accessible data. We show you step by step how to combine the standard land value, comparable values and a sensible negotiation buffer – and which mistakes can slow down the sale.
» Read moreAnyone who sells their single-family home themselves saves the share of the estate agent’s commission—which can quickly reach five figures given the higher purchase prices of houses—and retains control of the entire process. Unlike with a condominium, you are not merely selling living space, but the complete plot of land with everything legally attached to it. We guide you chronologically through the private sale of your house—from the valuation and documents to the notary appointment.
» Read moreMarketing a property privately means far more than uploading a few photos and waiting for inquiries. Anyone selling without an agent takes on the role of marketer themselves—and this is precisely where it is decided whether you close quickly and at the best possible price or wait months for the first serious prospective buyer. We show you the five strategic levers you can use to plan your private sale: positioning, target group, timing, channel mix, and pricing strategy.
» Read moreAnyone who sells without an estate agent saves the commission—but also bears sole responsibility for every step. This is exactly where costly mistakes happen: An excessively high price, an incomplete property brochure or an unchecked buyer can quickly cost more time and money than an estate agent ever would. We show you the most common pitfalls when selling privately and how to avoid them from the outset.
» Read more“Commission-free” appears in many real estate listings—but the term is not unambiguous. Sometimes it means that no estate agent is involved at all; sometimes it means that the seller alone bears the brokerage fee and that the buyer incurs no estate agent costs. We explain what “commission-free” and “commission-free for buyers” specifically mean and what legal framework has applied since the 2020 reform.
» Read moreAnyone who sells their property privately saves the corresponding share of the agent’s commission – and in 2026 this amounts to just under 3 to 3.6 percent of the purchase price for the seller, depending on the federal state. With a sale price of 400,000 euros, this quickly leaves 12,000 to 14,000 euros in your pocket. We calculate the savings for each federal state in euros – and honestly show which costs still remain when selling without an agent.
» Read moreAnyone who sells their property privately handles every step themselves – and in return saves the broker’s commission, which can quickly amount to several tens of thousands of euros. Taking matters into your own hands gives you complete control, but requires time, market knowledge and a thick skin during price negotiations. We compare the specific advantages and disadvantages of a private sale so that you can realistically assess whether this approach suits your situation.
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Rent or buy? Most people ask themselves this question at some point in their lives. While some opt for maximum flexibility and renting, others want to enjoy the benefits of owning their own home. Provided the financing is in place, this offers a range of advantages. We explain the benefits of buying a house.
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An estimated over 400,000 properties are inherited every year. In addition, some houses or apartments are given as gifts. The new owners thus receive not only a property with all its rights and obligations. They must also pay tax on the acquisition of their property. Depending on the value of the property, inheritance or gift tax may be due. This can be avoided if the statutory tax-free allowances are observed in the will or when making the gift.
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There are many reasons to sell a property. Some want to turn their assets into cash, others may have inherited, while still others see favorable market conditions. But when exactly is the right time to sell an apartment or house? Which conditions can influence this “perfect moment”? Does this affect the achievable price? In this guide, you will learn when you should sell your property – and when it might be better not to.
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Real estate is highly valuable. All the more frustrating, then, when defects appear after a purchase. The problem is that, particularly in older apartments or houses, damage, pest or mold infestations, and other problems are not always immediately apparent. In some cases, they are only discovered months later.
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When buying a property, you are faced with the question of financing. Sufficient equity is rarely available. The usual route is an annuity loan. However, there are alternatives. A so-called fully amortizing loan is a very attractive option. The prerequisite, however, is that the general conditions are suitable. What is a fully amortizing loan? What special features does it have, and when is it worthwhile for you to choose this form of property financing?
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Do you own a dream property? Have you rented it out? Would you now like to live there yourself or make the living space available to a close relative? Then termination for personal use is the right way forward.
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Living space is scarce and rents are rising. It is therefore common in some families to rent properties to relatives – at a friendly price. Perhaps you have already thought about this too. As a landlord, you then receive less income, but can nevertheless claim all expenses and depreciation. This gives you a tax advantage.
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When purchasing real estate and on other occasions, the land register can play a decisive role. This official document contains information about the property. In addition to details about the building and plot, it contains detailed information about the owner as well as encumbrances such as rights of way, pre-emption rights or mortgage loans.
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Are you planning to buy a house or is your real estate loan expiring? Then a variable loan could be a sensible alternative to other forms of financing. However, this type of loan has not only advantages but also disadvantages. We explain what a variable loan is and when you can use it sensibly.
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For many people, real estate is not merely provision for retirement. It represents a self-determined life in their own house or apartment. Couples in particular imagine this in beautiful terms: living together in a dream property and being happy into old age. The classic dream of owning a home. But then disputes arise. Sometimes a divorce is ultimately pending. Such a separation changes not only the interpersonal relationship. Assets are also affected. This applies especially to real estate. After all, properties have enormous value. Disputes over apartments and houses therefore frequently become bitter.
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If you want to buy your dream property, you need a lot of money. The same applies to modernization and renovation work. Expenses can quickly reach amounts that you can no longer pay out of your own pocket. In this case, a real estate loan is a sensible option. The annuity loan is particularly common. What exactly is it? We provide you with tips on this type of financing.
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Property owners are familiar with property tax. This is a tax levied by the municipality. Among other things, it is used to finance public expenditure. However, the calculation was disputed. The Federal Constitutional Court therefore had to rule on its legality. The result is a property tax reform that the federal government and the states have legally set in motion.
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Real estate usually has a very high value. Therefore, many purchases are only possible with a bank loan. Once the loan has been approved, the money almost always flows immediately into the seller’s account.
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When looking for a new apartment, prospective tenants are often required to provide a tenant self-disclosure form. Landlords ask for detailed personal data and sometimes additionally request proof of income and other documents. But is this actually permitted? What may a tenant self-disclosure form contain, and what may it not contain? Do the rules differ depending on when the data is requested? Prospective tenants and landlords can find answers to these and other questions in this guide.
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In apartment buildings with multiple tenants, house rules are considered good practice. They are intended to help organize the essential cornerstones of living together, prevent disputes, and bring all tenants up to the same standard. Nevertheless, not every set of house rules is legally binding, and not all regulated aspects actually have to be followed. What may be included in house rules, and what may not be included?
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Many people do not merely like animals; they also enjoy keeping them. The dog is traditionally man's loyal friend. The cat is the popular, headstrong house tiger. Children also like hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs. Budgerigars or even parrots can also be found in some apartments. Even rats or exotic animals are popular with some people. An apartment only becomes a dream property with a pet. But may these pets simply be kept in rented apartments? Does the tenant have to ask for permission? May the landlord even impose bans? These questions repeatedly concern tenants and landlords, as well as many courts.
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There are many things to take care of when moving. This also includes being reachable by telephone via a landline and your internet connection. A change of address requires a change to the connection or telephone number, or even a change of provider. While you normally have to observe the contract term precisely, when moving home you benefit from a special right of termination if your provider cannot provide the previous service at your new place of residence. In this article, you will learn how to re-register your telephone in good time and under what conditions you can change providers and take your telephone number with you.
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There is hardly anything that causes more disputes between tenants and landlords than the service charge statement. On the one hand, many statements contain errors. This leads to conflicts. On the other hand, both parties do not always know the actual legal requirements. There is often uncertainty about what the landlord may charge and what they may not. Many people affected are unsure what the statement must look like, when it must be issued, and what other deadlines apply. We offer you an overview of the legal requirements and the possible contents of the service charge statement, which is correctly called the operating cost statement.
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Heating costs are a significant cost factor for rental properties. Together with other energy and operating costs, they are part of the so-called “second rent”. Billing is either handled directly between the tenant and the utility provider or as part of the annual heating and/or ancillary-cost statement. Disputes repeatedly arise between tenants and landlords. We provide clarification: How can heating costs be calculated, and what requirements apply?
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Real estate is highly valuable. When an owner dies, houses, apartments and other plots of land generally pass to the community of heirs. At first, this may be a source of great joy. However, such an inheritance also entails obligations, including loan liabilities and inheritance tax payments. Last but not least, disputes may even arise over future use. If you inherit a property, you should not only familiarise yourself with the most important basics, but also avoid potential mistakes. We explain what matters.
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Moving house involves a great deal of work. Important things are often overlooked as a result. This also includes changing your registration with the municipality in good time and notifying many other offices of your change of address. Except with authorities, notification is generally possible without any formal requirements. An email is often sufficient.
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You’ve done it. You’ve found a new apartment or even a house. Now it’s time to move. You begin planning and ask yourself: “How many moving boxes do I actually need?” The answer isn’t that simple. There is no reliable formula. However, practical experience can help you with your calculation.
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Are you one of the property owners who would like to sell your apartment or house? Then you will receive a substantial sum of money all at once. Have you thought about the tax office? Contrary to popular belief, a private sale transaction, i.e. a real estate sale, is not always tax-free. On the contrary: If you do not pay close attention to the details, your impressive proceeds can quickly turn into a loss-making transaction. This guide explains when which taxes apply to a real estate sale.
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When moving to a new apartment, tenants often face the problem of not yet having received their old deposit back while already having to pay the new one. Together with the rent and moving and, if applicable, renovation costs, this can quickly create an enormous financial burden. Some companies have recognized this problem and provide a remedy through a rental deposit guarantee or guarantee certificate. This form of rental security can be an interesting alternative for tenants and landlords. However, it also has some pitfalls.
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