Consumer | Lukinski

Buy property with social commitment: Cost Rent, Subsequent Commitment & Housing Entitlement Certificate Explained

Laura — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 04:25:35 +0000

Buy property with social binding – What does social binding mean? How long is the social commitment? And at what point does an investment in such a property pay off? Whether you are an owner-occupier or an investor, find out here everything you need to know about real estate with a social commitment!

Social and post-bonding: Definition & Explanation

What does social binding mean? A social commitment is a price commitment of the property. In order to support low-income citizens, the state thus offers social housing.

Important: If you want to rent here, you need a certificate of eligibility for housing.

This is favored by the promotion of public funds, such as low-interest loans and grants from public authorities. If you want to buy a property with a social commitment, you are bound to it until the public loans and grants have been repaid. If everything has then been paid off, it takes another 10 years until the social binding officially ends – also called: Nachbindung.

Maximum rent: cost rent & rent increase

How much rent can you expect as a landlord of a property with social commitment? In order to ensure affordable housing, only a “cost rent” is charged here. For this, only the running costs of the property are taken into account, such as the financing costs and the public building loan. A rent increase may then only take place every 3 years. After the end of the additional commitment period, you can then adjust the rent to the current rental prices.

These factors are taken into account in the cost rent:

Current costs
Financing costs
Public building loans

Summary: What is a social bond?

So here are the most important points summarized at a glance:

Financing through public funds
Renting to low-income persons through housing entitlement certificate
Post-commitment period ends 10 years after full repayment of public loans
Maximum rent is limited by cost rent

Invest in a property with a social commitment

Now that we have clarified what a property with a social commitment is, the question naturally arises: Is it worthwhile at all to invest in such a property as an owner-occupier and capital investor? Let’s take a closer look at the two cases:

Buy property with social commitment for personal use

As already mentioned, only people who have a housing entitlement certificate due to their low income can move into a property with a social commitment. This also applies to owner-occupancy. So if you as a buyer earn only a low salary, the purchase of a property with social binding for owner-occupancy is quite possible. However, if you earn too much, you will need to apply for an extra exemption. This can also lead to increased incidental purchase costs, as you will have to pay a shortfall occupancy tax.

The most important summarized:

Only for low-income buyers
If salary is too high: apply for an exemption and pay a shortfall levy.

Real estate with social commitment as capital investment

If you invest in a property with a social obligation as a capital investment, you must always expect a shortfall. Real estate with a social commitment is therefore only really interesting as an investment for capital investors if the low return is reflected in a favorable purchase price and your goal is tax-free capital appreciation.

Conclusion: Should you buy a property with social binding?

As an investor, an investment in a property as a social commitment is therefore only worthwhile if the focus is on tax-free appreciation without time pressure. Whereas owner-occupiers benefit above all if they themselves have a residential entitlement certificate.

You can find even more tips about real estate with social binding here:

Social obligation: Real estate, social housing, obligation, rent control and deadlines (external).

First apartment / first house: Learn for free

My thought behind the website? The entire buying process, on one page, in detail, with tips and insider tips. Not just one page with the typical 1, 2, 3 processes.

Learn completely free, 24 hours, 7 days a week online. With important calculations, of course, calculations and formulas, as well as their calculation paths, checklists but also valuable experience and mistakes.

If you have any additional questions, you can always write to me and my team on the website. We will then include these additional questions in our Q&A and.

This means that with every question you ask, our platform gets better! From the preparation on the real estate purchase, to the purchase price negotiation, to subsequent rental, if you buy your property as an investment.

Real Estate Experience.com

Real Estate Location: Investing in… – Lukinski Rating / Investment Atlas Germany

L_kinski — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:48:29 +0000

Immobilien Lage – Lage macht den Unterschied, zwischen Investitionen mit Ziel Rendite (direkte Einnahmen, meist B- und C-Lagen) oder in eine Investment Immobilie (“Spekulation” auf Wertsteigerung, A-Lagen). Das aktuelle Lukinski Rating zur Attraktivität von Städten in Deutschland, über 40.000 Einwohnern. Danach wird es interessant, denn wir werfen einen Blick auf die Hidden Champions, mit top Lukinski A+ Rating und D- Rating und höherem Risiko. Sie suchen eine günstige Finanzierung in Deutschland? Checken Sie Konditionen und Anbieter in meinem Vergleich.

Lukinski Rating: Lage & Attraktivität

Wer seine erste Immobilie kaufen will, der wird schnell von den verschiedenen Lagearten hören. Doch wie können Sie die Attraktivität von Städten einschätzen? Insbesondere dann, wenn es nicht um die allseits bekannten Städte in A-Lagen geht, sowie München, Hamburg, Berlin, Köln, Frankfurt oder Düsseldorf. More about Düsseldorf: real estate Düsseldorf.

Der Kapitalanlage Atlas Deutschland wirft einen Blick auch fast 500 Städte in Deutschland und vergleicht Ihre Attraktivität und Entwicklung.

Hierbei handelt es sich nicht um eine Kaufempfehlung. Das Rating dient der allgemeinen Information.

Immobilien Atlas: Sortiert nach Rating

Städte sortiert nach Rating:

Immobilien Atlas: Sortiert nach Einwohner

Städte sortiert nach Einwohnerzahl:

Metropolen 500K +

Städte bis 500 K

So funktioniert das Rating

Für die Bewertung einer spezifischen Lage (Makroperspektive) gibt es viele Parameter, zum Beispiel die Wirtschaft, deren Verteilung auf Gewerbe, Industrie und Produktion, die Infrastruktur, Bildungsstätten, ebenso wie Ärzte, Freizeitaktivitäten, aber auch das Umfeld, Stadtteile und Nachbarstädte. Ein weiterer Faktor ist natürlich der Kaufpreis (oder auch Mietpreis), je höher die Quadratmeterpreise, desto er zieht es die Menschen in den Speckgürtel der Großstädte. All das sorgt dafür, dass einzelne lagen an Attraktivität verlieren oder an Attraktivität für Menschen gewinnen. Unser Rating vergleich die Attraktivität und Entwicklung miteinander.

Stand:
Auswertung: Städte in Deutschland
Kriterium: Mindestens 40.000 Einwohnern
Kategorisierung: A (+) bis D (-)

Für Immobilieninvestoren, teilt der Kapitalanlage Atlas, die Attraktivität der einzelnen Städte in 4 Kategorien. Vom Lukinski A+ Rating, für besonders attraktive Regionen, die einen hohen Zuzug erfahren, bis zum D- Rating, Städte die schon seit Jahren und Jahrzehnten stagnieren, wenig attraktiv Menschen und Wirtschaft. Inflationsschutz steht bei uns im Vordergrund. Je höher das Rating, desto attraktiver ist die Lage für den Einstieg von Immobilieninvestoren.

Städte im Vergleich: Wo investieren?

Im Folgenden finden Sie zunächst die wichtigsten deutschen Städte, im Vergleich. Metropolen mit über 500.000 Einwohnern, dazu Großstädte von 250 000 bis 500.000 Einwohnern und noch einmal alle Großstädte von 100.000 bis 250.000 Einwohnern. Danach wird es interessant, denn wir werfen einen Blick auf die Hidden Champions, mit top Lukinski A+ Rating und D- Rating und höherem Risiko mit der Frage:

Wo investieren in Deutschland?

Metropole ( < 500.000 ) - Hoher Kaufpreis, langfristiger Gewinn

Metropolen / Großstädte im Überblick – Tendenziell eher A-Lagen, mit Investment Immobilien. Das heißt, wenig Überschuss aus Mieteinnahmen, dafür hohe Wertsteigerung des Grundbesitzes, egal ob beim Wohnungsverkauf oder Hausverkauf.

Zuerst ein Blick auf die größten Städte, die jeder hier kennt, mit über 500.000 Einwohnern.

Stadt	BL	Rating
		Note	Wert	Kurzzeit	Langzeit
Berlin	BE	B+	5,8	A-	B+
Hamburg	HA	B+	6	A+	B-
München	BA	A+	11,9	A+	A+
Köln	NRW	A	8,7	A+	A
Frankfurt am Main	HE	A+	12,6	A+	A+
Stuttgart	BW	B+	5,2	A	B-
Düsseldorf	NRW	B+	5,8	A	B+
Leipzig	SA	A+	13,1	A+	A+
Dortmund	NRW	C-	0,2	D-	C
Essen	NRW	D-	-1,7	D-	C

Hier kommen Sie zur vollständigen Liste mit allen Metropolen:

Rating: Metropolen ab 500.000 Einwohnern

Großstadt (100.000 – 500.000) – Moderater Kaufpreis, sofortige Rendite

Ein Blick auf die 2. Liga der Städte, Großstädte bis 500.000 Einwohner im Überblick – Tendenziell gute B-Lagen mit Rendite Immobilien. Das heißt, die Kosten (Tilgung des Darlehens, Zinsen und Instandsetzung), werden durch laufende Mieteinnahmen gedeckt. Dafür ist der Wertentwicklung geringer, als in A-Lagen.

Großstädte bis 250.000 Einwohner im Überblick – Tendenziell ein Mix aus B-Lagen und oft guten C-Lagen mit Rendite Immobilien. Das heißt, wie schon bei den Großstädten, die Kosten (Tilgung des Darlehens, Zinsen und Instandsetzung), werden durch laufende Mieteinnahmen gedeckt. Dafür ist der Wertentwicklung geringer, als in A-Lagen. Allerdings Vorsicht bei Immobilien in C-Lage, denn das Risiko, dass Wohnungen oder Häuser auch einmal leer stehen, ist größer als in B- und wesentlich größer, als in A-Lagen.

Stadt	BL	Rating
		Note	Wert	Kurzzeit	Langzeit
Duisburg	NRW	D-	-1,8	D-	C
Bochum	NRW	D-	-4,8	D-	D-
Wuppertal	NRW	D-	-1,7	D-	C
Bielefeld	NRW	B-	3,5	B	B-
Bonn	NRW	B+	5	A+	C
Münster	NRW	A+	13,7	A+	A+
Mannheim	BW	D	-0,8	D	D-
Karlsruhe	BW	A-	6,6	A+	B
Augsburg	BA	A+	11,4	A+	A+
Wiesbaden	HE	C+	2,8	A-	C-

Hier finden Sie die Liste mit allen 67 Großstädten in Deutschland, von 100.000 bis 500.000 Einwohnern:

Rating: Großstädte bis 500.000 Einwohner

Städte ( < 100.000 ) - Mehr Rendite, mehr Risiko

Ihr Vorteile in Städten zwischen 40.000 bis 100.000 Einwohnern? Sie haben weniger nationale und internationale Konkurrenz. Insbesondere, wenn Sie vor Ort wohnen, ein guter, strategischer Vorteil, auch für Immobilien Einsteiger. Welches Rating hat Ihre Stadt? Finden Sie es hier heraus:

Rating: Städte bis 100.000 Einwohner

Hidden Champions für Ihre Kapitalanlage

Jetzt wird es interessant, denn wir werfen einen Blick auf die Hidden Champions, mit top Lukinski A+ Rating!

Danach finden Sie noch eine Liste, mit Städten, die eine sehr negative Entwicklung auf Reisen und mit D- Rating höheres Risiko bergen.

Top 10 A+ Ratings

Hier sehen Sie die top 10 A+ Ratings:

Bernau bei Berlin (Brandenburg), Rating: 25,2
Falkensee (Brandenburg), Rating: 22,3
Oranienburg (Brandenburg), Rating: 17,7
Potsdam (Brandenburg), Rating: 17,0
Bad Kreuznach (Rheinland-Pfalz), Rating: 16,6
Dachau (Bayern), Rating: 15,8
Landshut (Bayern), Rating: 15,3
Gießen (Hessen), Rating: 15,2
Goslar (Niedersachsen), Rating: 14,8
Ostfildern (Baden-Württemberg), Rating: 14,6

Alle A+ / A Ratings in Deutschland

Sie wollen noch mehr Hidden Champions in Deutschland kennen lernen? Dann sehen Sie sich hier alle A-Rating in Deutschland an! Diese Städte sind extrem beliebt, lesen Sie hier mehr, Lukinski A+ / A Ratings für Immobilieninvestoren:

A+ / A Ratings in Deutschland

Hidden Champions mit A+ Rating im Überblick – Starke allgemeine Entwicklung, Zuzug von Menschen, hier können Sie gute Renditen erzielen, insbesondere mit Eigentumswohnungen, die Sie kaufen und vermieten.

Alle B- / B / B+ Ratings

Alle B-Ratings zeigen Städte mit solider Entwicklung. Hier können Sie auch Rendite Immobilien finden, die unmittelbar für Erträge sorgen, die Ihre monatlichen Belastungen um Tilgung, Zinsen und Instandhaltung decken. Im Idealfall mit zusätzlichem Extra, für aktiven Vermögensaufbau.

B- / B / B+ Ratings in Deutschland

Alle C- / C / C+ Ratings

Alle C-Ratings zeigen Städte mit geringeren Wachstumsraten. Hier sind Immobilien als Kapitalanlagen schon eher mit Vorsicht zu genießen, denn das Leerstand Risiko ist größer. Heißt: Jeden Monat, in dem Ihre Rendite Immobilie nicht vermietet ist, bezahlen Sie drauf. Außerdem ist die Wertsteigerung der Immobilie sehr gering, bis kaum vorhanden.

C- / C / C+ Ratings in Deutschland

Risk Champions: Nichts für Einsteiger

Immobilien Einsteiger sollten diese Städte eher meiden. Im Rating liegen diese Städte am unteren Ende, tragen damit das größte Risiko für Leerstand und negative Wertentwicklung der Immobilie.

Top 10 D- Ratings

Hier sehen Sie die am wenigsten, attraktiven D- Ratings:

Frankfurt Oder (Brandenburg), Rating -20,9
Gera (Thüringen), Rating -18,5
Neubrandenburg (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Rating -15,6
Zwickau (Sachsen), Rating -15,1
Dessau-Roßlau (Sachsen-Anhalt), Rating -13,7
Wilhelmshaven (Niedersachsen), Rating -12,3
Wismar (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Rating -12,3
Cottbus (Brandenburg), Rating -11,5
Schwerin (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Rating -10,8
Unna (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Rating -10,3

Alle D- / D Ratings in Deutschland

Risikolagen für Immobilieninvestoren:

D- / D Ratings in Deutschland

Risk Champions mit D- Rating im Überblick – Objekte in schlechter C-Lage sollten Sie nur kaufen, wenn Sie bereits Erfahrungen haben. Nicht nur mit Kauf und Vermietung, auch mit Renovierung und Sanierung.

Immobilien GmbH – German Real Estate Loophole for Leasing, How-To Guide

Laura — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 15:01:17 +0000

Immobilien GmbH / Vermögensverwaltende GmbH / Immobiliengesellschaft – Let us help you optimize your taxes, and pay less for your German real estate. How to save money, by forming a so-called immobilien GmbH. You will learn the basics about the topic real estate company. When buying a house or a condominium, who comes up with the idea of founding a GmbH? Admittedly, it doesn’t make sense for self-interest, but it does for renting.

Additionally, in the following there may be slight grammatical errors, as this article was written by a German tax expert. This does not detract from the quality of information.

What is an Immobilien GmbH?

Definition Immobilien GmbH – An Immobilien GmbH is a real estate company. Meaning a company that pursues the purpose of leasing, development, financing, realization or marketing. It is independent whether it concerns one or several real estates. It also includes the property management, for its own properties and those of third parties.

Are you looking to save more on your property investment in Germany? Our full guide:

Real Estate Germany – Saving Money

Tax Advantage: GmbH instead of Private

To cut a long story short, where is the advantage? With a tax rate of 42 percent, private leasing means you can quickly pay 4-digit sums a year in taxes. Below a comparison, once using a private ownership and once with a GmbH ownership.

Example: Calculation of Private Rental Income

Here a very simplified calculation, for a fast comparison of the taxation of private renting incomes compared with commercial incomes of a GmbH. No tax allowances and no solidarity surcharge are taken into account here either.

Simplified example calculation (private):

Monthly rental income: 1.000 Euro
Rental income / year: 12.000 Euro
Tax burden (income tax 42%): 5,040 Euro
Profit after taxes: 6,960 Euro

Example: Calculation of Commercial Rental Income

Here a very simplified calculation, for a fast comparison of the taxation of private renting incomes compared with commercial incomes of a GmbH. No allowances are taken into account here either.

Simplified example calculation (GmbH):

Monthly rental income: 1.000 Euro
Rental income / year: 12.000 Euro
Tax burden (corporate income tax 15%): 1.800 Euro
Profit after taxes: 10,200 Euro

The difference is here, in our simplified invoice:

+ 3.240 Euro / year

Real Estate Company or Familienstiftung?

Starting a Stiftung, aka Foundation, especially a family foundation, has many advantages for you. From tax-free capital gains after speculation tax to low, 15 percent taxation of rental income.

The big and central difference to the Immobilien GmbH, after the speculation period, you can sell your real estate tax-free. How this works, how you can set up a foundation and how your grandchildren will profit from it, you will learn in this article.

Family Foundation

Real Estate Taxes Germany – How To Save Money on Property Investment

Laura — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 14:57:37 +0000

Germany – Buying real estate in Germany requires an understanding of its tax system. Here we give a detailed, simple guide for people not from Germany looking to buy property, rent property, or invest in real estate in Germany. The German system is quite different from those found in US states. If you’re looking to buy real estate in Germany, you should be sure to understand the system yourself, and tailor it to your needs. The less taxes you have to pay to the tax office, the faster your private wealth will be built up. We give an easy-to-understand guide for the basics and fundamentals about additional purchase costs in Germany, Grunderwerbsteuer (the German real estate transfer tax) and legal forms like “Immobilien GmbHs” and “Familienstiftungen”. Back to German real estate overview.

Additionally, in the following there may be slight grammatical errors, as this article was written by a German tax expert. This does not detract from the quality of information.

Real Estate Sale & Purchase: Tax for House & Apartment

Depending on the situation, different taxes can be incurred when buying real estate. Taxes are levied at both federal, state, and local level. Therefore, the regulations also differ at federal, state or local level, and differ both in the basis of assessment and in the amount of tax rates and contributions. For the sale or buy of a house, an apartment, a multi-family house or just land.

Examples of real estate taxes:

Real estate transfer tax (GrESt)
Land tax (GrSt)
Speculation tax
Inheritance tax (ErbSt)
Gift tax (SchenkSt)
Turnover tax (VAT) & Trade tax (GewSt)

Real Estate Transfer Tax (GrESt): Change of Ownership of Real Estate & Land

The real estate transfer tax is a legal transaction tax, the one-time levying of which is usually triggered by the purchase of a plot of land or real estate. It is levied on the basis of classic purchase contracts as well as in the case of land exchange, contracts or divisions. Furthermore, changes of ownership within the meaning of real estate transfer tax can lead to a tax levy as a result of transfers as well as highest bids in compulsory auctions.

Trigger for tax levies on the basis of GrESt:

Assignments
Performance bids in foreclosure auctions

Tax Rates According to Federal States: Bavaria & Saxony with low tax rate of 3.5 percent

The tax rate is set nationwide and ranges – as of 2020 – between 3.5% and 6.5% of the purchase price. The basis of assessment is the purchase price as certified by a notary – it is multiplied by the country-specific tax rate to determine the amount of tax payable.

Current tax rates 2020 (lowest first):

Bavaria: 3.5 %
Saxony: 3.5 %
Hamburg: 4.5 %
Bremen: 5.0 %
Lower Saxony: 5.0 %
Rhineland-Palatinate: 5.0 %
Saxony-Anhalt: 5.0 %
Hessen: 6.0 %
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: 6.0 %
Brandenburg: 6.5 %
North Rhine-Westphalia: 6.5 %
Saarland: 6.5 %
Schleswig-Holstein: 6.5 %
Thuringia: 6.5 %

Tax Debtor, Tax Bearer & Tax Exemption – Nearest Relatives & Partner

In principle, buyers and sellers are equally affected by the tax liability. Usually, however, the payment obligation is transferred to the real estate buyer. In the course of settling the tax liability, the taxpayer receives a so-called clearance certificate from the tax office, which serves as the basis for the legal registration of the new owner in the land register.

Under certain conditions, the Real Estate Acquisition Tax Act (GrEStG) allows an exemption from the required one-off payment. This applies, for example, to property sales to family members in a straight line and spouses/life partners within the partnership or during the divorce or annulment process. Also exempt from the real estate transfer tax are real estate or plots of land with a maximum purchase price of 2,500 €.

Conditions for tax exemption:

Parents and children or grandparents and children (kinship grade I)
Spouses or registered partners
Real estate/properties up to 2.500 € purchase price

In the case of taxable inheritances and gifts, the real estate transfer tax is completely waived in order to avoid double taxation.

Property Tax (Grund Steuer; GrSt) – Valuation, Tax Rates & Hebesatz

The property tax is a municipal tax, which is paid annually to the respective municipality in case of real estate ownership. A distinction is made between real estate tax A – agricultural – and real estate tax B – construction – since a special assessment rate applies to property used for agricultural and forestry purposes.

Assessment Basis, Valuation & Real Estate Tax Collection – New Reform 2024

Two laws are used to determine the value of taxable property: the Property Tax Act (GrStG) and the Valuation Act (BewG). The values necessary for the calculation of real estate tax are currently being reformed due to obsolescence and will be replaced by new values. This process should be completed by the end of 2024.

The first step will be for the state tax office to determine a value using the so-called capitalized earnings method. This involves both the actual value of the land and the type of development, location and size of the property.

Secondly, the value is multiplied by the corresponding tax index, which is directly related to the respective real estate object. For example, a flat rate of 6.0 per mille is calculated for agricultural and forestry property, whereas the per mille rate for building property is between 2.6 and 3.5.

Overview of tax rates by type of property:

6.0 per mille for agricultural property
2.6 per mille or 3.5 per mille for single family houses
3.1 per mille for two-family houses
3.5 per mille for the remaining building property

The final property tax is then calculated as the product of the property tax assessment issued by the tax office and the property tax rate. The rate of assessment is set by the municipality and is usually valid for a period of one year.

Tax debtor, Tax Bearer & Tax Exemption – Installment Payment, Own use & Third-Party use of Real Estate

As a rule, the tax debtor is the owner of the property – and in the case of own use – the resident. After appraisal and assessment, he receives a corresponding tax assessment from his municipality, which is binding for at least one calendar year. The legal owner at the time of 1st January of each calendar year is therefore considered to be the tax debtor, even if he/she resells the property in the meantime. Private law settlements can of course be made in favour of the real estate seller.

The payments concerning the property tax are generally made in four instalments per year, on 15 February, May, August and November. With small payment amounts between 15 € and 30 € half-yearly rates – in each case to 15 February and August – are usual, whereas with tax payments under 15 € annual rates to 15 August are felt as sufficient.

Installment payments of the property tax:

Taxes > 30 €: quarterly (on 15.02., 15.05., 15.08. and 15.11.)
Taxes 15 – 30 €: half-yearly (to 15.02. and 15.08.)
Taxes < 15 €: annually (15.08.)

In the case of rented real estate objects, however, the charges can be passed on to the tenant(s) as apportionable service charges, provided that a corresponding contractual agreement has been reached in advance. Should a loss of rent through no fault of one’s own arise over large amounts, it is possible to submit an application to the local authorities for real estate tax remission.

Property owned by public authorities, church property and property owned by non-profit corporations are completely exempt from property tax.

Speculation Tax – Private Sales Transactions for Real Estate

The speculation tax is a tax which is imposed on a real estate salesman with private sales transactions according to nationwide regulation. In accordance with the German Income Tax Act (EStG), taxation is levied on all income resulting from private sales, with the exception of owner-occupied real estate.

Applicable Area & Due Date – Letting, Undeveloped Land, Heritable Building Rights & Co

Taxes must be paid on the sale of rented apartments and houses as well as on undeveloped land and further in the case of hereditary building rights. Also affected by the speculation tax are shares in closed real estate funds and further co-ownership shares.

Scope of the speculation tax:

Letting of apartments & houses
Undeveloped land
Leasehold cases
Shares in closed-end real estate funds
Shares in co-ownership

The due date is the year of sale. The amount of tax payable is determined individually by the federal states and is based on criteria such as appreciation in value and the seller’s income tax rate, but may be reduced by certain expenses.

These include, for example, profit-reducing modernization costs – to the extent that they exceed 15% of the original acquisition cost -, certain advertising expenses, and brokerage and notary fees. By means of cleverly arranged installment payments, it is sometimes possible to take advantage of tax-free allowances to reduce contributions.

Reduction of speculation tax charges:

Modernization costs > 15 % of acquisition costs
Advertising costs
Brokerage fees

Speculation Period – 10-year Period & Three-Object Limit for Real Estate Sales

The speculation period is 10 years. This means that all sales transactions under private law are exempt from speculation tax after this period. If, on the other hand, the apartment or house is temporarily used by the owner, the 10-year period can be circumvented and reduced to two to three years.

This is always the case if the real estate object was exclusively used for the own residential purpose in the year of the sale as well as the two preceding years – even in the case of owner-occupied second homes or vacation homes. As long as a real estate owner can prove that he receives child benefit for his children, their private use is also regarded as “own residential purpose” of the taxpayer.

If a total of more than three property sales are made in a five-year period and the three-object limit is thus exceeded, the sales are considered by law to be commercial transactions and are therefore automatically subject to trade tax.

Inheritance tax (ErbSt) – Property Valuation & Tax Allowances

Inheritance tax always comes into effect when a deceased leaves an inheritance which is accepted by the beneficiaries.

Assessment Basis & Taxes – Inheritance Taxes According to the Market Value on the Balance Sheet Date

In contrast to foreign states, the federal regulations define the inheritance tax here not as estate tax, but as inheritance accrual tax, which means that the tax charges are generally levied in relation to the specific amount of the inheritance. An extended tax liability ensures that beneficiaries do not benefit from migrating abroad in case of inheritance.

The German Real Estate Valuation Ordinance (ImmoWertV) provides a valuation based on comparative value, income value or real value methods. For real estate inheritances, the valuation is based on the current market value on the reporting date, i.e. the value that could have been achieved for the property in an immediate sale on that day.

In the case of leased properties, a flat tax valuation discount of 10% is applied, whereas 100% of the market value of non-leased properties is included in the valuation.

Assessment basis according to ImmoWertV…

Rented properties: 90% of the market value
Non-leased properties: 100% of the market value

The valuation report can be tax deductible as additional inheritance costs.

Tax Allowances & Tax Remission – Degrees of Relationship of the Heirs to the Testator & own use

The amount of the inheritance tax can be reduced by certain allowances. These are based on the respective degree of kinship between a beneficiary and the deceased.

Tax-free amounts according to the degree of kinship:

500.000 € for spouse / life partner
400.000 € for biological children, stepchildren, adopted children and surviving grandchildren
200.000 € for grandchildren
100.000 € for parents and grandparents
20.000 € for all other heirs (related and unrelated)

Law of the case, if the deceased was living in a property used by himself before his death and his heirs use this property for their own residential purposes for at least ten consecutive years after the occurrence of the inheritance, the inheritance tax is discharged. In the case of an early departure, however, subsequent taxation will take place.

Gift tax (SchenkSt) – Gift Contract & Tax Exemption

Gift tax is payable on assets that are given to the beneficiary instead of sale, loan or inheritance.

In the context of real estate gifts, the donors are often granted rights of residence and/or usufruct (use without altering). In these cases, a contract of gift is advisable, if necessary with an included right of reclaim, in order to avoid compulsory auctions or seizures in worst case scenarios. In the case of the guarantee of lifelong right of residence, a corresponding entry should also be made in the land register in order to provide clear evidence.

Tax-Free Amounts: Tax Remission – Degree of Relationship of the Beneficiaries to the Donor

Gifts to spouses or life partners are subject to complete tax exemption. This also applies if the partners are in the process of divorce or annulment, insofar as they still live together in the family home at the time of the gift.

The tax-free amounts in gift cases can be re-credited every ten years. In the case of parents, this is even possible twice. They differ with regard to the family relationship between the donor and the recipient.

Tax-free amounts according to family relationship:

500.000 € for spouse / life partner
400.000 € for children and surviving grandchildren
200.000 € for grandchildren
100.000 € for parents and grandparents
20.000 € for all other beneficiaries (related and unrelated)

Claim for Compulsory Portion and Supplementary Claim in Case of Donation & Inheritance

In the event of exclusion of the inheritance, the deceased’s next of kin are entitled to a so-called compulsory portion, i.e. a claim for payment against the testamentary heirs.

According to the German Civil Code (BGB), gifts made by a deceased person in the last ten years prior to his or her death are counted as a supplement to the right to a compulsory portion for his or her heirs when the case of inheritance arises. In accordance with the meltdown model, the entitlements decrease from year to year and fall to zero percent from the eleventh year before the inheritance.

Gifts made within a marriage or registered civil partnership are entitled to a supplement to the compulsory portion without time limitation. However, the gift itself remains absolutely effective.

MwSt & Trade Tax: Commercial Real Estate Trade for Real Estate

The value added tax (MwSt) is passed on to the buyer and new owner at 19% of the purchase price in the case of commercial real estate sales.

The trade tax (GewSt) is charged to the real estate seller in the context of commercial sales transactions and is calculated individually on the basis of the capital gain. The share of profit corresponding to a tax rate of 3.5% multiplied by the municipal assessment rate results in the trade tax amount to be paid.

Trade tax amount = 3.5 % of the profit * assessment rate

Automatic Trade Tax Liability & Allowances – Partnerships, Natural Persons & Co

Insofar as the properties are business assets, the associated income from profits is generally subject to tax. If the 10-year period stipulated in the German Income Tax Act (EStG) with regard to speculation tax is not met, or the three-object limit is exceeded in the sale of real estate units, the corresponding income is also automatically subject to trade tax.

A property originally purchased as an apartment building, which is subdivided into several apartments in the course of a better letting, and resold within five years, therefore causes the same automatically generated tax liability.
Partnerships and natural persons are legally granted an allowance of 24,500 €. Other companies and associations can benefit from a lower tax-free allowance of 5,000 € under certain conditions.

Taxes when Buying / Renting Real Estate

Real Estate – What will you be confronted with when buying a house, a condo, a multi-family house or just land in Germany? It’s an attractive market for many, especially abroad for its strong economy and stable government.

If you’re still looking for areas to invest, or which to avoid, we have guides online.

What are the most Expensive Cities in Germany?

The Fundamentals: Additional Costs when Buying Real Estate

Low interest rates, great loan offers and irresistible purchase prices entice one or the other to invest in German real estate, or move to the country. So, how do you start to deal enough with the the additional costs that buyers and sellers expect when signing a purchase contract. Which additional costs arise when buying a condominium? How much percent when buying a house?

With the conclusion of a purchase agreement, the financing is already finished. However, the ancillary purchase costs are often underestimated. The bills from the broker, notary, land registry and tax office will come as soon as the loan is fixed. Because of this, the credit is often underestimated. Especially coming from abroad, these costs can be difficult to understand.

Ancillary Costs of Real Estate Purchase

Grunderwerbsteuer: Real Estate Transfer Tax

In Germany, there is also a real estate transfer tax, just as in many other countries. This is called the “Grunderwerbsteuer”. It needs to be paid everytime a property or part of a property is purchased.

The Grunderwerbsteuer is a state tax. It is determined individually by each federal state (called Bundesland or Bundesländer). At present, it falls between 3.5% and 6.0%, depending on the location. The tax is levied on the basis of the Grunderwerbsteuergesetzes (GrEStG). The respective federal states therefore also decide how to apply it, and to what degree they pass it to lower levels of government.

Grunderwerbsteuer: German Real Estate Transfer Tax Explained

Appraising Property: Reduce Service Charges + Investment Capital

The better the valuation of the property, the lower the service charges and transfer tax. Therefore, it is vital to get engaged with the valuation of real estate. This process is similar in Germany as in other countries, but the details make up the whole. In general, the difficulty in the appraisal process is the reason why many people hire real estate agents. If you accept a purchase price immediately, you will probably pay on top of it. This is not hard to accept, but if the purchase price is a 5-digit number, it quickly adds up.

These savings would be much better served paying for a renovation or modernization, for example with a new heating system, which you could have done in the repair or modernization. This would have two positive side effects:

Reduction in purchase price through concrete points of criticism (e.g. building materials)
Increase in value through renovation for resale

So not only do you pay less, you can also use the available assets to increase the value of your property. The more detailed you check the property, the more likely you are to minimize the purchase price. You can learn what is important when evaluating real estate in Germany here:

Appraising property

If you already have a specific property in mind, I recommend the individual articles on land, apartment, house and Co.

Taxes on Rental Income: GmbH or ‘Stiftung’

Taxes on rental income are definitely an issue for landlords. Private property ownership, ‘Immobilien GmbH’ (real estate company) or ‘Familienstiftung’ (Family Foundation)?

In order to tax your rental income as efficiently as possible – to begin with – the German state opens the possibility of founding a GmbH. A GmbH is a company, and with loopholes, you can found such a company to take care of income you make from renting out property. Yet, it may be even more profitable to found a Familienstiftung. How, when and why? Learn everything in the articles below.

Immobilien GmbH: Wealth Distribution Company

In this article you will learn the basics about the topic Immobilien GmbH. What is it? Is it the same as Vermögensverwaltende GmbH or Immobiliengesellschaft? When buying a house or a condominium, who comes up with the idea of founding a GmbH? Admittedly, it doesn’t make sense for self-interest, but it does if you’re looking to rent your property out.

By law, an immobilien GmbH is a company that pursues the purpose of letting, development, financing, realization or marketing. It is independent whether it concerns one or more properties. It also includes real estate management, for its own properties and those of third parties.

Immobilien GmbH Explained

You may hear from some people:

Immobilien GmbH, Familienstiftung, isn’t that the same?

It’s true that there is little difference in legal forms between the two, looking at the purchase and taxation of your rental income. It does become interesting when selling real estate though. In the GmbH, the capital gain must be fully taxed. Now we look at the Familienstiftung though, where the sale is tax-free after a speculation period has expired.

Familienstiftung: Providing for retirement, Children and Almost Tax-Free

I repeat: Capital gain is fully taxed in an Immobilien GmbH. The real estate sale of a Familienstiftung is tax-free (after speculation period).

A Familienstiftung is in its essence a foundation intended to reach a goal. This can be a wealthy business mogul designating much of his funds to care for following generations, or a property investor intending to place the profits he made from renting out property in a foundation. In the following tax article we take a deep look into the subject of foundations, family foundations, real estate purchase, taxes and tax optimization. Setting up a foundation, especially a family foundation, has many advantages for you. From tax-free capital gains after speculation tax, to low (15 percent) taxation of rental income. How this works, how you can set up a foundation and how your grandchildren will profit from it, you will learn in this article.

Familienstiftung: German Tax Optimization for Leasing

Buying Real Estate in USA

What taxes do you have to pay when you buy a house, land or condo in the USA? If you’ve changed your mind, or want to rather look in the US, what their laws are, and how taxes function there, we have an extensive article for you.

The United States of America attracts real estate investors like no other country in the world. Especially California and especially Los Angeles, but also New York City are in focus. In addition, tens of thousands are looking for apartments, condominiums and houses because their career is moving to the USA. Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and more. Here, economic, political and cultural ideas are forged. Investing in the USA can therefore only make sense if the parameters are right.

For real estate buyers, however, the big question is how the tax system in the USA works. Together with our US real estate agent, we have written extensive articles on the subject of taxes in the USA. The first part can be found here:

Buying Real Estate: All Taxes to Know

View of San Francisco, with typical American skyline:

Real Estate Tax Deductions: US Tax System

Mortgage Credit? Property Taxes? Here we explain all the important terms that you will come across in the US real estate tax system. Here you will find simple instructions on how to reduce the purchase price you pay for your real estate or property in the USA: From tax credits to deductions and allowances. This tax guide gives you a quick and easy overview of what goes into your tax calculation and how you can legally reduce the taxes you pay.

Tax Deductions USA

Taxes on the Sale of Real Estate

Coming soon!

Consumer’s right of withdrawal when concluding a contract

Laura — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 12:37:04 +0000

Right of withdrawal – If the contract was concluded outside the business premises of a broker or by means of distance communication, the consumer has the right of withdrawal. So, a right of withdrawal only exists in cases where the law has expressly granted such a right. If this is not the case, then each party is bound by the contract and the contract can only be terminated in compliance with the agreed notice periods. More terms in our all terms.

Right of cancellation at a glance: The early termination of a contract on the grounds of inadmissibility

If the conclusion of a contract is unlawful due to certain circumstances, the consumer has a right of withdrawal
Impermissible circumstances include: Conclusion of contracts outside the broker’s business premises or by means of remote communication
Right of withdrawal exists only in cases where the law expressly grants such a right
If this is not the case, each party is bound by the contract and can only be terminated at the agreed notice periods

Back to the wiki: Real Estate