The real “First Class”

No announcements. No fellow passengers on the phone. No crowds. Just me, two employees, a laptop and three hours of productive working time between three cities. That was the moment when I understood why so many successful entrepreneurs use private jets. It’s not about glamor. It’s about the workplace on board – whether for a real estate meeting in London or an investor meeting in New York.

What a charter flight in Germany really costs

Most people overestimate the cost of a private jet charter – or they underestimate it and are surprised at the bill. As is so often the case, the truth lies in the middle. What I can say from my own experience and research:

• Very Light Jet (2-3 people, short-haul up to 2 hours): from approx. €2,500-3,500 per flight – this corresponds to a business class ticket for three people
• Light Jet (4-6 people, intra-European routes): from approx. 5,000-9,000 € – ideal for teams of four to six people
• Midsize jet (6-8 people): from approx. €9,000-15,000 – more comfortable, more luggage, longer distances
• Heavy Jet (8-12 persons): from approx. 18,000 € for inner-European routes, from approx. 35,000 € for long-haul routes such as Dubai

Important: These prices apply to the entire jet, not per person. If you fly four people and split the price, the cost of a light jet is often similar to a business class ticket – with the difference that you arrive at your destination 90 minutes earlier and have no airport stress.

The exact route prices for all routes from German departure airports can be found in the private jet comparison on privatjet.one – the most transparent comparison portal in the German-speaking world.

The jet classes explained: what fits what

One of the most common mistakes when chartering for the first time: booking too much or too little jet. Here is my assessment from practical experience:

Very Light Jet: Perfect for single travelers or couples on short routes (less than 2 hours). Cramped cabin, little luggage, but inexpensive and flexible. Examples: Phenom 100, Eclipse 550.

Light Jet: The workhorse of the business charter. Enough space for four to six people, sufficient luggage, comfortable travel on inner-European routes. Examples: Phenom 300E, Citation CJ3+. I use this class most often.

Midsize Jet: When more comfort is required and the group is larger. Standing height in the cabin, separate luggage compartment, longer range. Examples: Citation XLS+, Bombardier Challenger 350.

Heavy Jet: For longer routes and larger groups. Dubai non-stop, New York non-stop – this is heavy jet territory. Cabins with sleeping facilities, kitchen, separate office area. Examples: Gulfstream G650ER, Bombardier Global 7500. I have written a detailed comparison of the major private jet brands separately.

When is a private jet worth it – my personal calculation

I make a simple calculation every time I make a booking decision. For me, time is money. If I plan a two-hour buffer on a scheduled flight, arrive at the airport an hour beforehand and the transfer on the other side takes 45 minutes – then a “cheap” scheduled flight actually costs me four to five hours of my working day.

A private jet flies at my time, lands at the small terminal, cab time ten minutes. Total time: two hours. The time difference is two to three hours – each way, so four to six hours on a return flight. If I honestly tell myself what these hours are worth to me, the charter is often the cheaper alternative.

This is especially true for real estate entrepreneurs, investors and the self-employed with busy schedules. Anyone who travels a lot knows that the airport costs time, and time costs money. The private jet gives time back.

Safety and quality: what I look out for

• AOC certification: The Air Operator Certificate is mandatory – no reputable broker will send a jet without a valid AOC. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) provides guidance on standards and member companies.
• Transparent pricing: no hidden fees for catering, landing or night fees
• Jet age: Better to choose a jet that is less than 10 years old – newer models are quieter, more efficient and more comfortable
• Flexibility: What happens if the weather fails? Good broker = good alternative solution

Empty Legs: the insider tip for smart travelers

Those who are flexible can make considerable savings. Empty legs are return flights where the jet flies empty – because the client has only booked a one-way flight.

These flights are offered with a discount of up to 75%. The catch: the date, time and route are fixed.

If you still travel often and sometimes find a suitable empty leg, you will save considerably.

Private jet as a tool, not a status symbol

After several years of charter experience, my conclusion is clear: anyone who sees the private jet purely as a luxury symbol is thinking too short-sightedly. As a productivity tool – as an office in the air, as a time saver, as a source of flexibility – it is often the most economical decision for entrepreneurs with busy schedules. The calculation is more often correct than you might think. You just have to do it honestly.

Der Beitrag Hire a private jet? My experience – and what a charter flight really costs erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.

Schwanenwerder from above: Island

This is it: the most exclusive island in Germany and Berlin. Of course, the properties here are also among the most expensive adresses in Berlin. Only 38 properties, and each one is of a higher caliber than the next. For many, Schwanenwerder is not a place to live, but a world of its own. Here is a quote from our last Schwanenwerder exposé:

“Privacy has become the rarest currency. This villa offers it in abundance.”

Schwanenwerder has exactly that. Located directly on the Wannsee, only one access road, shielded, lots of security. Pure nature, surrounded by a capital city with over 3.9 million inhabitants. Standing here, you completely forget that the hustle and bustle of Berlin is 20 minutes away. Ultra exclusive, ultra quiet.

History? My recommendation: Schwanenwerder, PDF Berlin.de (Download)

Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Grunewald

On the way to Berlin Mitte, you automatically pass through the best locations. Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Grunewald – all three have stood for prosperity, nature, old villas, embassies and long-established families for decades.

Did you know? The best areas are always in the southwest, because southerly winds from Europe often arrived there. In the past, this brought fresh air to the southwest and the exhaust air moved to the northeast. – But back to Schwanenwerder!

In the immediate vicinity, you will find residential areas, forests, parks and extremely quiet streets. Schwanenwerder itself is home to families, entrepreneurs and investors who want to live in complete seclusion despite living in the capital. No through traffic, no tourists, just absolute privacy.

Graft Villa: The most expensive villa in Germany

I have often stood here on the jetty and admired this villa, the most futuristic and expensive villa in Germany. There were many rumors – including that one of the former owners was Brad Pitt. Is that true? Who knows. But it shows the level we are at here. The villa was designed by Graft. It was last “listed”(off market) for 79 million euros.

• Price: ~ 79 million euros

In fact, it is not the only villa in this segment. Other properties on the island would also easily reach asking prices of 55-60 million euros. And right next to this ultra-modern villa is the Schwanenhof – the oldest villa on the whole of Schwanenwerder. It could hardly be more historic.

Even the major media regularly report on this island:

• Schwanenwerder – Picture
• Schwanenwerder – Tagesspiegel

Schwanenhof: The first villa on Schwanenwerder

The Schwanenhof impresses with its historic gate – who still has something like that today? Behind it is a small, I would say Mediterranean wonder. Lots of charm, lots of history, all completely hidden behind trees. No views from outside, zero through traffic. A real original on the island.

• Price: ~ 9 million euros

Schwanenwerder Map

Schwanenwerder in Berlin:

Schwaenwerder from close up:

Schwanenwerder history

To this day, the island feels like a piece of secluded Berlin, quiet, green and with architecture that is rarely found in this form. To understand the house, you have to go a little further: How did Schwanenwerder come about in the first place, who built the first villas here and why in this location of all places?

Source: Schwanenwerder, PDF Berlin.de (Download)

How the island became an island in the first place

At the end of the 19th century, Schwanenwerder was just an inconspicuous spot in Wannsee. Not a paradise, not a villa suburb – rather an idea. Friedrich Wilhelm Wessel, a Berlin building contractor, had this idea. He bought the site, had it filled in, shaped and defined a concept: large plots of land, plenty of space, peace and quiet, no noisy uses. Schwanenwerder was to become a place of retreat, an alternative to the growing city.

• Island was artificially formed
• Parceling out by Wessel
• Concept: peace & privacy

The first houses: who built them and why

The first villas on Schwanenwerder were not built by chance. Wessel obliged buyers to build high-quality houses within a short space of time. He did not want a mixed-use area, but a cohesive, stylish ensemble. To achieve this, the owners brought in some of the best architects of their time. Paesler & Natho designed early country houses with turrets, bay windows and French forms. Bernhard Sehring – one of Berlin’s most sought-after architects – designed striking villas with great attention to detail. He was later joined by Bruno Paul and Richard Blumberg, both known for their elegant, tranquil architecture. The gardens were planned by garden artists such as Rudolf Jürgens and Ludwig Lesser. Each villa was to be a small work of art.

• First villas by Paesler & Natho
• Sehring & Bruno Paul shape style
• Garden art by Lesser & Jürgens

The Schwanenhof: a country house with a French touch

The Schwanenhof was built around 1900, precisely during this period. The house followed the French late baroque style: two small tower domes, curved lines, a large terrace with a view of the lake. It was a representative but not overloaded country house. The first plans show a house that was very open – large windows, lots of light, a garden that was more of a park than a plot of land.

• French late baroque
• Large terrace
• Open floor plans

The atmosphere on the island: summer houses and retreats

Around 1910/1920, entrepreneurs, merchants and bankers lived here. Many used their houses as summer residences. Silence over the water in the morning, company on the terraces in the evening, with gardeners, boats and long garden paths in between. The Schwanenhof was part of this: not a palace, but an elegant, quiet house, built for people who wanted to get away from city life.

• Summer houses
• Large gardens
• Elegant architecture

Conversions and changes over the decades

The Schwanenhof has undergone many changes over the years. The tower dome on the north side was destroyed during the Second World War and never rebuilt. The attic was extended in the 1950s and new living spaces were added later. In the 1990s, a modern south-facing extension was built, extending the house and adapting it to today’s living requirements. The garden hall was closed, paths were newly laid out, some historical details were lost, others were maintained.

• Reorganization 1950s
• Extensions 1990s
• Partial redesign

Garden, location and view: What makes Schwanenwerder special

Even though a lot has changed, one thing has always remained the same: the location. The view over the Wannsee, the distance to the neighboring houses, the greenery. The garden has been redesigned several times – sometimes spacious and playful, later clearer and more modern. Today, the Schwanenhof is a mixture of historical substance and contemporary elements. You can recognize the origins, but you can also see the development.

• Lots of green
• View of the Wannsee
• Modern garden design

More about the Schwanenwerder story? Recommendation

History? My recommendation: Schwanenwerder, PDF Berlin.de (Download)

Der Beitrag Schwanenwerder: Berlin’s most exclusive + expensive island! Villas, map, history + tour erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.

Starbucks style: what should you look out for?

During your stay in Los Angeles, you once again realized how influential Starbucks is in the world of coffee. In Germany, Starbucks may be a popular coffee chain, but here it is in second place, as most coffee lovers are drawn to “Coffee Fellows”. What can you learn from the coffee chain to scale your own brick-and-mortar business?

When it comes to running a successful café, you can learn a lot from experts. In this article, I will share the 3 most important tips from Stefan Tewes, the founder of “Coffee Fellows”, an up-and-coming café in Germany.

The café chain has now scaled to 230 locations in Germany!

In addition to that, I will add 2 bonus tips that can help you run your own cafe and make it successful.

1st tip: Location, location, location

The importance of the right location for a café cannot be overemphasized. Stefan Tewes emphasizes that the choice of location was crucial to the success of his café. A central city location on a busy corner is an ideal starting point. This ensures good accessibility for commuters, passers-by and the local population. If your café is highly visible and easily accessible, you have already taken the first step towards success.

2nd tip: Southwest orientation

Another factor Tewes considers crucial is the orientation of your café. A south-westerly orientation can help to capture the best hours of sunshine of the day. This creates a pleasant atmosphere for your guests and can also help to reduce energy costs. A cozy ambience combined with sunlight can boost customer loyalty and make your café a popular meeting place.

3rd tip: Tourists in the vicinity

The presence of tourists can have a significant impact on the success of your café. Tourists staying near your location, for example through hotels, are often looking for cozy places to drink coffee and relax. This provides an ideal opportunity to generate additional sales and attract an international clientele.

Podcast episode with Stefan Tewes

2 bonus tips for your successful café

4th tip: Outdoor terrace for summer season

If your café has an outdoor terrace, this can be a big draw for guests in the warmer months. Make sure the terrace is well designed and comfortable, with plenty of seating and sun protection for sunny days. This creates a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that customers will enjoy.

5th tip: Immediate accessibility

The accessibility of your café is an important aspect. Make sure your café is easily accessible, especially for people with reduced mobility. A barrier-free entrance design and elevators, if the café is located in a multi-storey building, are crucial to appeal to a wide range of customers.

You should remember that

Running a successful café requires dedication, planning and the implementation of proven strategies. The tips we’ve discussed in this article can make all the difference:

1. The right location: Think carefully about where you want to open your café. A central location on a busy corner can be the key to success.
2. South-west orientation: use the sunlight to create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests and reduce energy costs.
3. Tourists nearby: If you are close to tourist attractions, you can benefit from an international audience.

In addition to these tips, we have two bonus tips for you:

4. Outdoor terrace in the summer season: A well-designed outdoor terrace can be a magnet for guests in the warmer months.
5. Immediate accessibility: Make sure your café is easily accessible for everyone to appeal to a wide range of customers.

Remember that the road to success is not always easy, but with passion, determination and the right knowledge, you too can run a thriving café. Be creative, adapt to the needs of your target group and never give up. Your dream of owning your own café can become a reality, and we hope these tips will help you on your way to success!

Der Beitrag 5 real estate location tips for cafés: Scale like Starbucks erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.

Lukinski Real Estate Tools – App #1

It all started with this app or idea at Christmas, two months later the app (v.1.0) is ready and in the App Store!

The idea: Real estate app for beginners

There are thousands of apps for nutrition, thousands for sports, millions for gaming, and only a handful of real estate apps, mainly for apartment hunting.

Then at Christmas I had the idea: I build very simple real estate and financial calculators for beginners. The Lukinski Immo Tools App. Example: You can explain a repayment plan (interest, repayment, loan installment, unscheduled repayment) in a complex way in guidebooks with a thousand words or just show it. My teacher in business school used to say: “Don’t bring fish to the ‘poor’, give them a fishing rod”, a simple quote from the south of Bavaria, but containing a lot of truth. “Learning by doing” would also be apt. See our Real Estate Munich.

15+ small calculators for equity, savings plan (reserves), amortization schedule, incidental purchase costs by state, real estate transfer tax, realtor costs and much more!

The real estate app for beginners with the goal:

1. Build equity
2. Find cheap property
3. Buy real estate (as an investment)

New functions of the real estate app

In the coming weeks and months, I will refine the calculators and build new calculators, also for owners. Already now you can find in the app also the co-ownership calculator (purchase of a condominium > part of an owners association) or also living space calculation, functional area and much more, all according to DIN 277 and WolfV.

Download from App Store

Here you can find the free real estate app in the stores:

Free of charge in the App Store!

You can also find out more about the app and the calculators here:

• Lukinski Immo Tools App

Lukinski Villas App: Vacation Property & Investment – App #2

Vacation property or investment (live and rent or rent only), in the Lukinski Villas app you can now find a selection of gems in Ibiza, Marbella, Los Angeles, Miami (and more places).

On my travels, especially in the Spanish-speaking world, I make more and more contacts. Some of them lead to the real gems: Villas in Ibiza, Marbella, Los Angeles (and other hotspots). With the Lukinski Villas App you can discover a few of these gems, as a vacation property or as an investment (live in and rent out or just rent out).

Download from App Store

You can find the free Villas app in the stores here:

Free of charge in the App Store!

You can also find out more about the app and the Villas here:

• Lukinski Villas App

Real Estate Experience App: Learn Investment – App #3

How do you learn to “buy a property”? The best way is with the Immobilien-Erfahrung.de app. 30 steps, constructed by our expert, to the first property.

In addition, in the app you will find the entire wiki with over a thousand technical terms, explained simply and understandably.

Download from App Store

Here you can find the free real estate app in the stores:

Free of charge in the App Store!

You can also find out more about the app and how to become an investor here:

• Real Estate Experience App

FIV Magazine App: Fashion & Real Estate Magazine – App #4

Already over 25 issues of FIV Magazine, my little media baby of the 90s, my “little Vogue”. All issues are now available for free with all covers, interviews in the FIV Magazine App.

Download from App Store

Here you can find the free real estate app in the stores:

Free of charge in the App Store!

You can find out more about the app and the magazine here:

• FIV Magazine App

Der Beitrag 4 apps, 1 week: Ibiza Challenge! 3 Real Estate Apps + Magazine – Now in App Store erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.

Selling property at retirement age

For those who are facing the sale of a property for the first time, today wants to explain the real estate sale, but also two alternatives that you have as a property owner, if you can not yet completely part with your condominium or house. The partial sale and the real estate annuity. In addition, an alternative if it is “only” about liquidity, the mortgage loan.

If you need to sell or need money:

1. Direct sale – Full sale
2. Partial sale – Proportionate, with option for total sale
3. Real estate pension – Full with monthly payment
4. Mortgage loan – financing with credit

In addition, an extra tip on the topic: Bequeath correctly.

Sale of house / apartment – option 1

The final decision would be the direct sale of the property, to a new owner. First of all, let’s talk about the process and then about the question: to sell with or without a real estate agent?

Step by step to the sale

The typical sales process includes (simply explained) 18 steps, divided into 3 phases. First comes the preparation, from the time of sale, through the calculation of the selling price to the exposé.

This is followed by the relatively time-consuming sales phase, starting with the marketing strategy, from personal networks to real estate platforms, through communication with interested parties, the individual credit checks and property inspections. With concrete prospective customers then naturally still the sales discussions and naturally also the negotiation around the final selling price and/or purchase price follow.

Last but not least you come to the sales process, here follows the purchase contract, notary appointment, purchase price transfer and the handover of the property.

• Sell property

Checklist in 18 steps

The 3 phases in the sale of real estate

1. Preparation: prepare property and sale
1. Financial planning and timing of sale
2. Hire real estate agent
3. Records and documents
4. Increase real estate value
5. Determine offer price
6. Create exposé
2. Sales phase: market property and find buyers
1. Market real estate
2. Contact with prospective buyers
3. Filter and select prospective buyers
4. Credit check
5. Viewing dates
6. Sales talk & purchase price negotiation
3. Sales processing: purchase contract until handover
1. Draw up purchase contract with notary
2. Notary appointment
3. Land register entry and payment processing
4. Handover of the property
5. Notary fees & broker commission
6. Pay taxes

Sell with or without a broker?

Without experience in real estate sales, you should resort to the expertise of a real estate agent. As you can see in the sales process, you need time, documents, but also knowledge, e.g. around the credit check of possible prospective customers, so that you do not carry out 30 inspections, which lead to no sold result. In addition it concerns factors such as the real estate evaluation in addition, the care of the advertisements and the Exposés. In addition, there is the emotional burden for one or the other.

As stated initially, if you can’t completely part with your condo or house yet, there are alternatives.

Partial sale: Proportionate sale / right of residence – Option 2

In the case of a partial purchase or partial sale of your property, you have the advantage that you remain the sole occupant and user of the property. The so-called “usufructuary right” means that you have the sole right to live in and use your property despite being the new part owner.

How does the partial sale work?

At the same time, you sell part of your property to a finance company. The finance company thus becomes a co-owner of your property. Financial companies buy shares in pretty much any type of real estate, whether land, condominium, house, apartment building or even commercial and special real estate. The share sold is then usually between 10% and 50%.

Often, in addition to the sold part, a complete sale is discussed directly, which is then completed in 10 years, 15 years or 20 years.

• Partial sale

Quickly described:

• Financial company buys shares of the property
• FU becomes part owner; you have sole right of residence / use
• For this you pay user fee (monthly)

User fee accrues (quasi rent)

In the case of partial sale, you should pay particular attention to the conditions. Explained quickly: Annually, you pay back between 3% and 5% of the amount that was sold pro rata. The so-called user fee. Compared to a mortgage loan that you could also take on your property, 2% to 4% more, because with the mortgage loan you would currently pay only about 1%.

Comparison partial sale / mortgage loan:

• Partial sale: min. 3% – 5% p.a.
• Mortgage loan: currently 1% p.a.

p.a. = per year

Why do some nevertheless opt for the partial sale? The sale to a financial company is relatively quick, no credit check, quick purchase price transfer, especially in case of liquidity shortages in old age, a quick alternative.

Partial sale summarized:

• You sell a part of your property (usually 10-50%)
• Partial purchase house: Yes
• Partial purchase apartment: Yes
• Partial purchase of land: Yes
• Financial company becomes part owner
• You remain the sole user of the property
• You pay monthly usage fee
• Total sales in X years (optional)

10% – 50% sell with option 2: partial sale.

Real estate pension: sale / right to live – option 3

The real estate pension is especially interesting for people who have already reached a higher age, usually from 70, 75 years.

Real estate annuity means: You sell your property (directly) completely, but retain a lifelong right of residence and use. In addition, you receive a small monthly amount. For some, this is a good solution. Because you also no longer have anything to do with maintenance costs, the new owner takes care of that.

Compared to the partial sale, you are relatively carefree in your old age. Let’s summarize the real estate pension once again in brief.

• Real estate pension

Real estate pension simply explained:

• Direct, complete sale
• Lifetime right of residence and use
• Small, monthly “extra pension” from the seller
• No maintenance costs

Carefree old age, in your own property:

Mortgage loan: Liquidity only? – Option 4

Finally, option number 4: If liquidity is the only issue for you.

If you want to sell your property in old age, due to liquidity shortages, a mortgage loan is recommended instead of sale. Such a mortgage loan is significantly cheaper than, for example, the user fee for a partial sale. You also remain 100% owner of the property, without giving shares to a part owner.

Get advice from your local bank and 2, 3 alternatives if necessary.

Extra tip on the topic: Inherit correctly

You still have children, grandchildren, close relatives or other persons to whom they have been bequeathed their real estate? Then it is worth thinking about the earth early! On the one hand you can save taxes, on the other hand you can still experience the joy of giving.

Inheritance in advance: Taxes & Co.

Tip. Before it is too late, talk to your parents and grandparents about the inheritance early on. After all, an early inheritance can save you quite a bit, especially on taxes. Learn more about early inheritance here:

• Bequeath correctly

For heirs:

• Inherit correctly

Inheriting correctly also often means preventing disputes among children.

Take care!

Der Beitrag Real estate in old age: sell house & apartment … what to do?! 4 alternatives for you erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.