Attic apartment: Low prices for full living experience?

“But it’s an attic apartment” has been an argument against an apartment for far too long. Yet the qualities that this type of apartment brings with it are completely underestimated. Because the disdained apartments have potential, which you can bring out especially as an owner quite great.

Are you looking for a suitable apartment – whether as a tenant or investor? Then take a look at our guide to apartment types A-Z!

Modern attic apartments: Area and room layout

What exactly is a loft apartment anyway? The name is actually pretty self-explanatory. Attic apartment is the term that describes an apartment on the floor directly under the roof.

A prerequisite for an apartment to actually be understood as an attic apartment is that the roof slopes are also part of the living unit, and thus reduce the space in the apartment, for example. Sometimes roof slopes even have a negative effect on the usable living space. Penthouse apartments can also be living units on the top floor of a house, but these are never characterized by slopes.

Another type of apartment under the roof is the mansard apartment. This also refers to a form of living on the top floor of a house. However, the name already reveals that the roof form is not the classic pitched roof, but a mansard roof, which can be found increasingly in large cities such as Paris. The slope of the side walls under the mansard roof is not quite as extreme as that of a classic roof form.

Calculate area and determine room layout

Of course, the roof slopes can have a negative impact on the living space, because according to the regulation for calculating the living space, living space is only fully counted from a ceiling height of 2 meters. Everything under 1 meter ceiling height falls out completely in the area calculation. From a height of 1 meter, the square meters count half.

So, in an attic apartment, you can get decent floor space, but it is limited in use. For this reason, it is important to cleverly design the layout of the apartment to get the most out of it.

This option opens up to tenants, as well as owners who have more options for expansion to maximize the space under the roof.

Advantages & disadvantages of the attic apartment: temperature, area and service charges

After we have already touched on certain factors, we will now go into more detail about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of apartment. This should help you to make a decision about your future rental apartment, your own home or even the apartment that you want to rent out as an owner and make it palatable to interested parties.

Advantages: Reduced utility costs and living with a view?

Many of the advantages of an apartment also bring disadvantages. This is not only true for the attic apartment, but many different types of apartments. After all, tastes and priorities also differ massively. These are the advantages we have found in relation to attic apartments:

• Low heating costs
• Beautiful view
• Large windows
• Favourable living space

Cons: Stormy highs and hot summer nights?

Of course, the apartments do not come without drawbacks, but let’s face it, no apartment does. The important thing is to make the little quirks as pleasant as possible and especially to know them during the expansion to avoid as many problems as possible from the start.

• Summer heat
• Noise during storms
• Reduced living space
• Limited accessibility, if applicable

Tip. Building in the attic: prices & insulation : Read even more about attic conversion here.

Convert attic flat: Upgrading, costs, planning permission & co.

Converting the top floor into a fully functional living unit is something that many people rack their brains over. And it should be, so that at the end of the project you have premises that meet your needs. You or your tenant will hopefully spend complaint-free, enjoyable times in the apartment. So that this hope comes true, we have put together a few aspects for you.

Costs: How much does the conversion of an attic apartment cost?

The price for the conversion of an attic apartment depends entirely on the amount and scope of the conversion measures. For example, if the kitchen and bathroom are to be refitted, it may be necessary to lay new pipes, which will cause the price to soar.

If you want to maximize the living space, you should consider raising the roof if necessary. Depending on the size and condition of the house, this measure alone will cost 5000 € and more.

The best thing to do is to think about what measures you want to take to transform the apartment under the roof. Once you are clear about this, find out about the prices of the individual points. The internet, building companies and engineering firms can all help you with these questions.

Planning permission: What is the legal situation regarding the extension of apartments under the roof?

You have decided on the extension and there is no turning back? Then there is only one thing that could get in your way: the lack of planning permission. Depending on the extent of the work, you will always need planning permission. This will cost approximately 0.5% of the total conversion.

A little tip for those who want to save money: In some federal states, no building permission is required for loft conversions, as long as it is only an extension to your own premises.

Removal without a permit can result in a fine, a halt to construction, or even the dismantling of the measures taken.

Checklist for attic conversion

That can be quite a lot to consider. To make sure you have a few things in mind, we’ve put together a list of the most important factors:

• Funding
• Building permit
• Connections for water, electricity and co.
• Insulation and insulation
• Temperature measures, such as air conditioning
• Extension of the window areas
• Clever room layout

5 things you should consider before buying a loft apartment

Finally, your dream of owning your own home will come true and this one attic apartment is particularly appealing to you. But the decision is difficult, because you have heard so many bad things about living under the roof that you are not sure whether it should really be this apartment? We’ve got some handy tips to help you make sure your own apartment isn’t a total disaster. This should be special for attic apartment in any case:

• Air conditioning
• Water, electricity and heating connections
• Natural light
• Enough usable living space
• Sound insulation from the roof

Want to finally own your own apartment? Then take a look at our guide to buying an apartment, which prepares you in detail for the purchase of a condominium.

Financing: equity and loans for the purchase of a home

Before you buy a home, you should think about how much discretionary capital you use each month for rental costs. In addition, it is worthwhile to include the reserves, which you would otherwise make, in the calculation.

In combination, you then get the monthly installment which you are able to pay for the home loan. For this purpose, you should also have assurance that this amount would not change much in the next few years in which your loan would run.

Another factor is the equity to be raised. As a rule of thumb, it is assumed that the available equity should cover at least 10% of the purchase price.

• (available capital for rent + savings rate) x loan term in months + available equity n = realistic property purchase price
• N > 10 % of the property price

In addition, it is important that this calculation is not too tight, because in addition to the pure real estate costs, there are a lot of costs, such as the payment of a notary and some other things that are often forgotten. A house purchase should be well thought out in any case and the financial sustainability must be given in any case.

Purchase and rental agreement: recognising pitfalls at an early stage

As a buyer or tenant of an apartment, you are not only taking a big step, you are also taking on responsibility and making legally binding agreements with the landlord or seller of the property. These binding decisions are very difficult to revoke afterwards and can cost you more than just nerves.

For this reason, it is worth checking the contracts thoroughly for possible pitfalls. If you have legal expenses insurance, it is quite possible that you can have a lawyer do this for you. However, if you want to check the contract yourself, the following things should be taken into account.

• No waiver of termination
• No graduated rents
• Consideration of rental defects
• Who pays for minor repairs?

Everything you need to know before renting a property can be found in our article on renting a property!

Apartment: What is it? Definition and other terms

The name says it all when it comes to apartments. Because what constitutes a floor apartment is that the apartment extends over an entire floor of an apartment building. But this is exactly what sometimes leads to confusion, because many think that a floor apartment includes several floors. Unfortunately, this is wrong. If you are looking for an apartment on several floors, you might want to read up on maisonettes, gallery apartments or duplex apartments.

Are you looking for a suitable apartment – whether as a tenant or investor? Then take a look at our guide to apartment types A-Z!

Apartment vs. bunkhouse: what makes the difference in living arrangements?

The form of housing with which the floor apartment could be most closely compared is probably the apartment. Because apartments are also premises that are located only on one floor of the residential building. The apartment is basically a special form of the apartment, which is instead of, of over a part of the house floor over the entire floor.

When looking for an apartment, it is important to pay attention to what you see and the information you get directly from the landlord. These should be questioned, but especially when it comes to the definition of apartment types, people do not always agree. Also landlords and sellers are not always professional in the field of real estate and of course have the additional interest to make the apartment palatable to you. For this reason, it is advisable to consider in advance the basic demands that you make on an apartment and perhaps even write them down. In this way, it is easier to find a suitable apartment, because you can also ask much more specifically for certain properties.

Advantages & disadvantages of a floor apartment: living space, neighbours and more

Every type of apartment has its advantages and disadvantages. The apartment also comes not only with positive aspects, but has a few negative sides that can limit the living happiness. So that you are prepared, especially before buying, here is an overview of the biggest advantages and disadvantages that you should take into account in your decision-making.

Advantages: Large living space?

The advantages of a floor apartment arise primarily from the nature of this form of housing. On the one hand, a flat on a floor often offers more space than some apartments, as they take up the entire living space of a floor. This room layout also means that the apartments are easy to design barrier-free.

• Spacious
• Barrier-free

Disadvantages: High utility costs?

Especially the size of the apartment also brings disadvantages, for example, increased utility costs. With several people, this is not a problem, since the per capita bill in this case somewhat compensates for the cost trap. In itself, however, apartments are very suitable for families and flat-sharing communities.

• Higher heating costs
• Ambient noise

Size and price: Perfect for families and shared apartments

You finally want to buy your own home for you and your family? Then a floor apartment could be just the thing for you, because it offers you a lot of space and often also gives everyone the opportunity to have a room that can be furnished according to their own wishes and requirements.

One huge advantage of bunk homes is that you can find them in almost any location. Whether it’s in the countryside, the suburbs, or the middle of the city, these large apartment units are more common than you might think. However, prices vary extremely depending on the location, of course. So if you’re looking for a bunkhouse, look location specific for your choice and don’t rely too much on rough estimates.

Rent indexes are also helpful in finding the right price and not paying too much for your new home. Rent indexes tell you the average price per square metre in a residential area. However, this doesn’t mean that there can’t be apartments for sale there that may be far above or below the price listed. The general condition of the building can also give you information about the pricing.

Viewing appointment: checklist, preparation and tips

Especially apartments in the city and suburbs are currently highly competitive, but every viewing appointment should be prepared to guarantee that you get your dream apartment. Because viewing appointments are basically like job interviews between owner and tenant or buyer.

Preparation: Research and more

Just as renters and buyers use the Internet as a resource, landlords and sellers look at tips that help determine who to consider. Reliability and likeability are at the top of the list here. So be relaxed and try to prove your sense of duty and reliability by asking specific questions. And above all, try not to hide anything, because a tenancy based on false statements can quickly become unpleasant.

It is also worth having personal details with you or sending them electronically to the vendor or agent before or after the viewing appointment. The following documents can be important:

• Salary statement
• Schufa information
• Guarantee notice
• Contact details of former landlord
• Personal data

Viewing: Tips on living environment, owner/landlord, price & Co.

Not only do you get to know each other, but you also try to gauge whether the person is the optimal match for the property. For this reason, you should look closely at the ad and information about the living environment to get a sense of what the listing agent is looking for and whether you fit into that picture. No one wants to house a noisy apartment community in an apartment building, but if you appear professional and a good fit, the landlords will love you.

The same goes for families. Feel free to bring your kids along to the viewing appointment, but only if you’re sure the little ones won’t put a spoke in your wheel. An appointment like this can quickly become boring for children and your child will be looking for ways to occupy themselves. So take your child with you, but remember to have something to keep them occupied. You should also consider the area of the apartment. So if you want to live in an upscale area, you can find all the information about the most expensive streets in Germany here.

Checklist apartment: surroundings, property and rental prices

After preparation and during the viewing appointment it is advantageous to have a checklist. We have already recommended this at the beginning of the article to start the apartment search, but also during the active part should not take a back seat.

Information such as price range, distance to public transport and the like should still be kept in mind. Your checklist should be personal and reflect your personal wishes. At the same time, you should also think about whether your ideas are realistic. If you are a family, try to include everyone’s ideas in the list, but prioritise them.

In general, there are certain items that your checklist should definitely include. These are the points you should consider:

• Price range
• Residential
• Proximity to public transport
• Parking spaces and car parking area
• Room layout
• Kindergartens and school nearby
• Equipment (kitchen, wet rooms etc.)
• Service charges (possibly check statements of previous tenants)
• Neighbourhood (minutes of owners’ meetings?)

Buying and selling a property: land transfer tax, buying an apartment & Co.

Buying a property is a big step and as a buyer you have to prepare yourself accordingly. Here you will find some additional articles on topics such as buying an apartment, land transfer tax & Co. to make the purchase of your condominium as relaxed as possible.

Buying an apartment: Agents, costs & renting – Tips

The decision to buy a condominium (ETW) is made by most buyers for two reasons: The buyer either wants to use the apartment to live in it himself. Or the buyer is looking for a financial investment that should bring a good profit in the medium or long term. What there is to consider when buying an apartment, and renting and ownership exactly run, you will learn in the following article.

• Buy apartment

Real estate transfer tax: tips, amount & costs

When buying a property – whether an apartment or a house – the so-called land transfer tax is incurred. Many prospective buyers do not consider these additional costs in their initial calculation. However, the land transfer tax must be paid in any case, and varies in amount depending on the federal state. In the article linked here, you can find out what the land transfer tax is, how high it is in the federal state of your property, and what else needs to be considered in this topic.

• Calculate real estate transfer tax

Valuation: Calculate purchase price and sell condominium

You have a condo and want to know what it’s worth? Of course, you can immediately go to an appraiser and/or real estate agent with this question. However, the exact valuation becomes important at the latest when you want to sell or inherit the apartment. Also in the case of mortgaging – for example because you want to buy another property – the value should be determined very precisely. Then the expert comes into play. Value factors, location, furnishings, market value, realistic price: This is how you can value your apartment.

• Rate apartment

Reaching the goal with the needs and investment analysis

Like private real estate, the price of commercial real estate has risen significantly in recent years. In view of the capital value development, it can be assumed that prices will continue to rise. We recommend a comprehensive needs and investment analysis in preparation for the purchase of commercial real estate:

• What type of commercial property is being considered. What is it needed for?
• What are the requirements for the property and what characteristics must it have?
• What is the available budget?

Site selection: Decisive for success

Which location is ideal for the company? What benefits can and should the new location bring to the firm? If you operate a law firm and clients call on you, ample parking might be required in a downtown location. In suburban areas, good access to public transportation may be required. If you sell products to your customers, having a storefront in a pedestrian area can be critical to success. If you only need a warehouse, the commercial property may well be purchased in convenient city locations.

For manufacturing companies that receive regular deliveries and deliveries, good transport connections are crucial. Driving bans may be issued for journeys through residential areas. Also consider any weight and height restrictions on vehicles if, for example, bridges have to be passed on the approach. There must be sufficient space on and around the site for turning. Parking spaces for employees must also be planned for.

Buying or renting: Which is more worth it? – Video

In this video from financial flow (Youtube), the interesting question is asked: Buy or Rent? A key question for those buying their first commercial property. By the way, you can also find more tips on buying here:

• Buy a house
• Buy a condominium

Tip. Buy and rent in one:

• Buy apartment house

Deciding on the right object

We support you in narrowing down the offers. Our experience across all industries ensures you the best possible location for your company, practice or law firm. We not only identify the requirements of the property, but also evaluate this from a professional perspective. As an experienced broker, we realistically assess the potential of the properties on offer.

Check legal aspects

Look very carefully at the property’s use permissions. This can result in considerable restrictions on use. For example, it is forbidden to set up a production business in a business premises. The entitlement to use the property as a commercial property results from the planning permission, but this can be changed under certain circumstances. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the construction method, building permit and the right of use of commercial properties.

The ideal commercial property fits the requirements of your company in terms of its floor space layout, statics, lighting and room height. Is the available office space, storage space and sales space sufficient in the long term? Can production be accommodated in the premises?

In addition, there are the calculations for room height, statics and floor load-bearing capacity if heavier machines are used in production. The supply of water, electricity, including high-voltage connections, must be secured, as must heating systems, sanitary facilities and parking facilities for customers and employees. If important conversions are necessary after the purchase, this not only costs money but also time and delays the start of the operational activity.

Assessing the potential

We assess the potential of your future commercial property. Avoid bad investments, expensive conversions and lengthy legal disputes. Good real estate agents prepare a fair market value appraisal for the commercial property and advise you with industry knowledge on the requirements and legal specifications for your company. Together we will consider exactly what criteria the new company building needs to meet, and then find the best deals on the market for you.

Outdoor advertising and customer stoppers

In principle, every entrepreneur has the right to advertise publicly in order to draw attention to himself. Customer stoppers, which are large poster holders that draw attention to special offers, are not only part of the business in pedestrian zones. However, an official permit is usually required for setting up these customer stoppers. If the public street space is used for business purposes, a special use permit must be applied for. The public order office is responsible for issuing the permit.

Public traffic space includes not only roads, but also other paths and places used by the general public, such as pedestrians and cyclists. As soon as this is to be used by the company, an official permit is required. We will be happy to check for you to what extent the chosen object meets your requirements. If you wish, we will be happy to apply for the necessary permits and licences for you as a precaution.

Who needs a restaurant license?

Is your own restaurant or café a long-cherished dream? Before pizza, kebab, steak or café latte are served to the customer, the targeted commercial property has to face some questions. In order to operate a restaurant, a corresponding permit must be obtained from the responsible authority – in official German, this is the restaurant license. This is the first step in proving personal and professional suitability. At the same time, it must also be proven that the commercial premises are suitable for a restaurant. The latter is proven with the floor plan, which shows that the commercial building has sufficient space, parking, kitchen and sanitary facilities.

Use of the pavement by your company

In the catering business especially in demand, are the outdoor seats of the commercial property. In summer, pizza, coffee and snacks are preferably served outdoors. Walk-in customers are to be attracted by the inviting outdoor decoration. A special use permit is required for advertising, assortment and outdoor seating on the sidewalk. We will review and assess which commercial properties are appropriate for your project.

When granting permission, the authority generally weighs up the width of the footpath and the existing open spaces. A minimum width must remain for pedestrians. The requirements vary depending on the municipality. We check for you whether the public order office approves the planned use.

In any case, a special use for the sidewalk must be applied for. Advertising signs, tables and chairs do not count as so-called public use. Therefore – even with sufficient width – a special use must always be applied for.

KfW promotional programmes for companies

As a state development bank, KfW Bank grants loans to the liberal professions, SMEs and start-ups. Low interest rates, grace years and long terms are tailored to the needs of companies. In addition to the KfW promotional loan, companies can also obtain the ERP Start-up Loan for low-interest financing.

A start-up grant is paid by the employment office. Other funding options include KfW Startgeld and ERP capital for start-ups and companies that have been in existence for less than three years.

Sell commercial property

You want to buy one property and sell another and are looking for a partner to carry out the sale for you? Commercial property sales involve large sums of money and the greatest expertise in vetting the potential buyer. What type of business is the property suitable for? Is it a property in a commercial area or are you offering a property in mixed use areas? What land value can be achieved and at what price per square metre are similar commercial properties in your location selling? These are all questions that can only be answered by a detailed analysis in commercial property sales.

• Sell commercial property