Learn real estate investing from the ground up

The beginning: I still remember how overwhelming it was for me when I first started looking into real estate investing. Yield calculations, valuations and all those technical terms – it can be really intimidating. But Lukinski walks you through it from the beginning, explaining everything you need to know to get started in this fascinating world.

Quick evaluation and acquisition

An important part of real estate investing is the ability to quickly evaluate properties and develop smart acquisition strategies. And that’s exactly what Lukinski will show you! You’ll learn how to quickly evaluate properties and identify the best investment opportunities.

Personal insights and B2B strategies

What I particularly like about Lukinski is the personal insights. You meet successful investors who share their experiences and strategies. That’s worth its weight in gold! There are also tips and tricks on how to successfuly build B2B relationships in real estate.

My mission! Increase own surplus in Germany

My mission with the new YouTube Channel is to make it as easy as possible to enter the world of real estate in Germany.

In our country, only 42.1 percent of people own their apartments or houses, while about 57.9 percent live in rental housing.

By comparison, 62.9 percent in the U.S. and as many as 70.0 percent in Europe own their own homes.

My goal is to break the myth that the real estate market is complicated and unapproachable. This is not about suits and ties, but practical, easy to understand knowledge. On my channel you can learn step by step how to invest in real estate. We will cover topics like yield calculation, real estate acquisition, financing options and much more.

Together we will explore the world of real estate investing and discover the opportunities it can offer without sacrificing elegance!

Real Estate Guru App

Oh, and…

Small bonus for even more success!

But that’s not all! If you thought Lukinski alone was great, let me tell you about the Real Estate Guru app. Here you’ll already find over 50 calculators and tools to help you with your real estate investments. From yield calculations to financing, this app has it all!

#1 Real Estate Investment Training in the World

And the icing on the cake is the world’s first real estate investment training with an incredible 70 individual lessons. Here you will be trained to become a true real estate guru!

That was real work!

Online and free of charge, from anywhere!

The best part? You can use Lukinski and the Real Estate Guru app completely free online. Whether you’re in Cologne, Berlin, Los Angeles, or anywhere else, these resources are open to you. You can access valuable knowledge and insights from anywhere.

Never miss a thing – subscribe and use the app

If you want to dive into the world of real estate investing or just want to deepen your knowledge, Lukinski is the channel you should subscribe to. And don’t forget to download the Real Estate Guru app to have even more tools for your success.

So, what are you waiting for? Subscribe to the channel, get inspired, use the app and start your real estate investing journey! I’m sure you’ll be as excited as I am.

Lukinski YouTube: Yield, Capital Investment & Co.

Discover with me the crucial factors, key figures and basics of real estate investment. Compared to other forms of investment, real estate offers a ‘safer’ way to invest capital with consistent returns and long-term appreciation. Want to invest your money wisely? My recommendation: Real estate, passive income and a good life.

• Lukinski YouTube

Immobilien AG: activities, stock exchange, conditions & advantages

A real estate stock corporation – or real estate AG for short – is a real estate company that has the legal form of a regular stock corporation (AG) and whose core business is primarily focused on the real estate sector. The company’s assets are thus used primarily – or exclusively – for real estate investments, or they consist of the construction of real estate and the subsequent sale of the same.

The largest German listed companies for residential real estate (as of 31.12.2o19):

• Vonovia
• German Housing
• LEG
• DAY
• Grand City Properties
• Adler Real Estate
• GAG

Business Activities Real Estate AG – Construction, Trading, Management & Co.

The range of activities of real estate stock corporations focuses, for example, on project development and the construction of real estate. The management and sale of real estate are also not uncommon focal points of this type of company. All in all, public limited companies can be involved in real estate trading, the brokerage of real estate as well as the holding and management of their own portfolios or offer corresponding services for non-corporate investment portfolios. Real estate stock corporations are a particularly popular choice for leasing.

Possible activities at a glance:

• Project development
  • Building
• Real Estate Trading
  • Acquisition
  • Distribution
• Real estate management
  • Hold
  • Farm
  • Rent
• Third-party services
  • Brokerage of real estate not owned by the company

Real estate company on the stock exchange – legal requirements & advantages

Real estate stock corporations can choose whether or not they want to be listed on the stock exchange. If you are a shareholder of a real estate stock corporation and decide to list your company on the stock exchange, you are subject to the German Real Estate Investment Trust Act (REIT Act). The REIT Act specifies which general regulations apply to your company and which qualifications your company must have in order to be admitted as a REIT stock corporation, as well as which tax regulations must be taken into account.

Many family businesses wishing to operate in the real estate sector as a public limited company (AG) deliberately decide against such a stock exchange listing, as the shareholders of their company are to be restricted to their own family circle of contacts and no share trading in public is envisaged.

Exchange-traded real estate stock corporation / REIT-AG

The REIT corporation is originally based on a US corporate form, namely the “Real Estate Investment Trust” – REIT for short – which gave the listed real estate corporation its name. Since its beginnings, the trust has experienced a considerable upswing. Little known in 1960, the corporate legal form slowly but steadily conquered the world in the 1990s and gained international renown. With the enactment of the REIT Act in 2007, the legal form of the REIT-AG was also introduced in Germany.

To make it easier to distinguish between them, German REITs are also often referred to as G-REITs, with the “G” standing for “Germany”. Sometimes REITs are also incorrectly translated as real estate funds in this country – however, there are some legal and economic peculiarities compared to the German legal form of the real estate fund.

Legal requirements according to REITG – stock exchange listing, quota & Co

In order for real estate stock corporations to be recognized as REIT corporations and to enjoy the corresponding advantages and benefits, they must meet a number of requirements defined in the German Real Estate Stock Corporations with Listed Shares Act (REITG). One of these rules requires that the real estate stock corporation be mandatorily listed on the stock exchange. Other restrictions relate to the company’s permitted free float – i.e. all company shares distributed among several, smaller investors – as well as the participation by shareholders together with per capita distribution of the shares. Other conditions regulate the equity capital, the fixed assets and also the turnover generated by the management of real estate.

Legal requirements for a REIT-AG:

• Headquarters & Management within Germany
• Listing on the market obligatory
• Free float at the time of listing: at least 25%.
• Free float after listing: at least 15%.
• Equity ratio: at least 45
• Real estate investments (immovable assets): at least 75%.
• Income from real estate: at least 75
• REIT participation per shareholder: max. 10%.
• Distribution ratio (net profit): at least 90%.

Small tip: For real estate stock corporations shortly before listing, a time window of two years is granted in order to fulfil all necessary requirements. Until all requirements under the REITG have been fulfilled, such a company is considered a pre-REIT.

Advantages for REIT stock corporations – tax exemption, competitive advantage & Co.

Real estate stock corporations with a stock exchange listing are particularly popular for financiers and large investors, as they are exempt from both corporation tax and trade tax, provided they meet the legal requirements in accordance with the REITG. As real estate is a particularly safe investment opportunity, it offers the chance to cushion inflationary fluctuations and risks. Furthermore, the purchase and sale of shares is simple thanks to market access, and transfers of ownership can be carried out quickly and flexibly.

Access to the capital market enables a real estate stock corporation to skilfully generate equity capital, which can then finance the investment in real estate. As a result, real estate stock corporations have a clear advantage in terms of the speed of growth of their equity, which means greater competitiveness in the market as a whole. Other legal forms of companies, on the other hand, are dependent on retaining their profits – that is, leaving the profits in the company instead of distributing them and accumulating them there – in order to increase their company’s equity capital or have no legal claim to a distribution of profits. The legal form also offers a considerable degree of security, as the equity capital accounts for just under half of the stock corporation’s total capital.

Advantages for listed real estate companies:

• No corporate income tax
• No trade tax
• Secure investment through tangible assets (real estate)
• Chance to offset inflation
• Quick & easy purchase/sale of shares
• Flexible share transfer
• Simple equity procurement
• Competitive advantage due to high growth rate
• High security due to equity ratio

Advantages for investors – Stable cash flow, growth & 90 % dividend

Another plus: the REIT corporation also offers a lucrative business for investors. Public limited companies are generally established for the long term, which means that the company can offer investors the prospect of a stable cash flow and long-term growth without exposing them to increased risk. The dividend payout is also very attractive for shareholders, with a statutory minimum requirement of 90 percent of the net profit for the year under commercial law.

Advantages for real estate AG investors:

• Stable cash flow
• Long-term corporate growth
• Low risk
• Attractive dividend payout

However, the application of the half-income method is not possible for shareholders with regard to the distribution of profits. Their profits must be fully taxed.

Real estate stock corporation / REIT-AG – For whom is it worthwhile?

Are you thinking about founding a real estate company or investing in an existing real estate company? For construction companies and development companies, this is often a lucrative venture, but also as a financier or shareholder of a real estate holding company, the formation of a real estate corporation can be quite worthwhile. Furthermore, the economic occurrence of real estate stock corporations extends to housing associations, property management companies and large brokerage firms.

Ownership of the real estate portfolio may be held either by the real estate company itself as a direct investment or by another real estate company whose shares are acquired by the real estate company by means of a participation. A mixture of direct investments and third-party investments is often used to acquire, hold or sell real estate. Due to the wide range of residential and commercial properties, the stock exchange listing is an attractive model for real estate companies.

AG: foundation, legal form, real estate shares (list)

1. Stock corporation (AG)
2. Real estate shares: List of companies
3. Real estate company
4. Alternatives to the REIT: Legal forms in Germany

Stock corporation (AG): Formation, liability, legal form & Co.

Aktiengesellschaft (AG) – The stock corporation is a German legal form founded by at least one person and organized by different bodies. Instead of a managing director, the company is managed by a board of directors consisting of at least one person. As the name already indicates, this legal form of a company primarily stands for stock trading. You would like to start a company alone or together with other people and learn more about company law forms in advance? Then you’ve come to the right place!

• Stock corporation (AG)

Real estate shares: List of companies

Real Estate Shares – Not everyone can afford real estate as a capital investment. Through real estate shares, however, everyone can participate in the real estate market and invest money. The share prices of the big players are rising year after year. Vonovia, Deutsche Wohnen, Dream Global, CBRE and Patrizia are a few of the best known active companies in Germany. In addition, there are more than 25 other companies. We have an overview of the most popular real estate stocks for you as an investor. But first a look at the risks of a stock, the stock market, for beginners and beginners. Now to the list and more on the real estate market, your investment options and all prices at a glance, here in the article on real estate stocks.

• Real Estate Stocks

Real Estate GmbH & Asset Management GmbH

Alternative – In this article you will learn the basics about real estate companies. Briefly explained, a real estate company is a company that has the purpose of leasing, developing, financing, realizing and/or marketing. It doesn’t matter if it is one or more properties. The management of residential and commercial real estate – in its own interest or as a service offered to third parties – is also a popular focus for real estate companies and asset management GmbHs. Find out more about the main advantages and disadvantages of buying real estate and the expected costs.

• Real estate company

Alternatives to the REIT: Legal forms in Germany

Legal forms – What types of company are there? If you want to start your first company, then choosing the ideal legal form is one of the first steps in the process of setting up a company. Whether it’s a special real estate company or a start-up, I’ve summarized all the types of companies in Germany for you here.

• Legal forms: List

Company types in detail:

• Sole proprietorship
• Registered businessman / registered businesswoman (e. K.)
• Civil law partnership (GbR)
• General partnership (OHG)
• Limited partnership (KG)
• Entrepreneurial company (UG)
• GmbH: Limited liability company
• Real estate GmbH / Asset management GmbH
• Stock corporation (AG)
• Societas Europaea (SE)
• Foundation / Family Foundation

Turkey: Economy and State

Investor infrastructure, political development, inflation & co. A comprehensive look at Turkey as an investment destination.

In summary: Istanbul in numbers

• Total number of home sales in Turkey between 2013 and 2018: 8 million.
• Total housing stock in Turkey in 2018: 34.2 million.
• Total number of house sales to foreigners in Turkey between 2013 and 2018: 134,000
• Class A office supply in Istanbul in 2019: 5.7 million square meters
• Active gross leasable area in shopping malls across Turkey in 2019: 14.5 million square meters
• Total logistics real estate stock in Istanbul in 2019: 4 million square meters

Source: Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey

Infrastructure: airports, railways, bridges

If you invest in Istanbul, you’ll be in the city in no time. Turkey has been investing large sums in the development of its infrastructure for a long time. In the years around 1990 to 2000, many new airports were built in the country. In 2010, there were 99 active airports in Turkey.

Investments in the road and aviation sectors will continue in the coming decades, as can be seen above from the large investments. According to the Ministry of Transport, it appears that the Erdoğan government will rebalance its policies in the infrastructure sector and build at least 10,000 kilometers of high-speed rail lines.

Chinese companies in particular are helping to finance the projects. Double-track railways between Ankara and Istanbul and between Ankara and Konya are currently under construction.

Of great importance in the infrastructure sector, Istanbul has become an “infinite city” where not even the construction of a third bridge connecting Europe and Asia will solve the complex traffic problem.

The infrastructure is certainly needed, after all, the Turkish state is growing continuously.

Population: Forecast 2024

Stability also often lies in the reproduction of the population. This is where the intergenerational contract kicks in. Here you can see the total Turkish population from 1980 to 2018 and forecasts until 2024 (in millions of inhabitants).

You can find more statistics at Statista

Political development: party and leadership

Turkey is a constitutionally secular republic. Actually. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has pushed an Islamist agenda and eroded democracy piece by piece.

Erdogan further consolidated his power after the 2018 elections, allowing an AKP coalition with the Nationalist Action Party to retain control of the unicameral National Assembly. While Erdogan won a narrow victory for a second four-year term as president.

25 percent still work in agriculture

Turkey’s largely market-based and diversified economy is driven by its industrial and service sectors, but traditional agriculture still accounts for about 25 percent of employment.

Although the economy has proven resilient in the past, political instability has blocked necessary reforms, and a currency crisis and recession in 2018 have put the country under severe pressure. The resilience of the Turkish economy is due to sound public finances, well-capitalized banks, and a dynamic and diversified private sector.

Until 2018, economic growth was pretty much always stable. Until a currency and debt crisis plunged the economy into recession.

Inflation rate: Forecast 2021

Inflation rate from 1980 to 2019 and forecasts to 2021 (year-on-year).

Reforms: Labour market and justice

The economy thus requires reforms to make the labor market more competitive. More urgently, the government will need to strengthen the effectiveness of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, both of which were damaged after the crackdown following the 2016 coup attempt. The event also caused major waves in Germany.

The most famous case is probably the arrest and imprisonment of journalist Deniz Yücel. But the Jan Böhmermann case also made headlines, due to “lese majeste”, a remnant in the German legal code that has since been abolished by the case.

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate from 1980 to 2018 and forecasts to 2021:

Rating: Fragile States Index (FSI)

Assessment according to the Fragile States Index (FSI) from 2010 to 2020.

You can find more statistics at Statista

International market position & growth

Turkey’s largely free market economy is driven by industry and increasingly by the service sector, although the traditional agricultural sector still accounts for about 25% of employment, as described earlier.

Out of 137 countries covered in the 2017-2018 Global Competitiveness Index, Turkey ranked 53rd, down two places from 2016-2017 but still higher than the historic low of 43rd in 2012.

The depreciation of the lira in 2017 helped Turkish exports, and the government stimulated domestic demand by strengthening monetary and fiscal policy.

The government is playing a more active role in some strategic sectors and has used economic institutions and regulators to target political opponents, undermining private sector confidence in the judicial system.

Credit rating: reduction by rating agencies

Between July 2016 and March 2017, three rating agencies downgraded Turkey’s sovereign credit rating, citing concerns about the rule of law and the pace of economic reforms.

Economic impact of the crisis

German-Turkish trade relations

GDP (Gross Domestic Product): Current

What do the latest figures from the Turkish Statistical Office tell us?

The growth rate deteriorated in 2018, but the 2019 figures also give pause for thought. Data released in March 2019 from the statistics office show the effects are carrying over. After a sharp contraction in the previous quarter, which was 3%, as value added fell by 8.7% in the construction sector, 6.4% in industry, 0.5% in agriculture and 0.3% in services.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell from $851.5 billion in 2017 to $784.1 billion in 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2018, GDP was $184.9 billion, which is the lowest amount since the first quarter of 2017, when it reached $175.9 billion, while GDP per capita at current value in 2018 was about $960,000 dollars.

GDP forecast 2024

Gross domestic product (GDP) in current prices from 1980 to 2018 and projections to 2024 (in billions of US dollars).

Here you can see real gross domestic product (GDP) growth from 1980 to 2019 and forecasts to 2021 (year-over-year).

GDP per capita: real growth for inhabitants

GDP is a top indicator of the overall economy, but what do individual residents get out of it? Is GDP per capita rising or falling? Here you can see the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in current prices from 1980 to 2018 and forecasts to 2024 (in US dollars).

Factor: Tourism

Agriculture, industry, services, all important sectors of Turkey. Looking at the country as a whole, one sector in particular stands out, tourism. Already a large part of Turkey’s GDP. But by 2028, Turkey should be able to increasingly detach itself from tourism, as seen here. This is the evolution of the direct and total contribution of the Turkish tourism sector to GDP from 2012 to 2028 (in billions of euros).

• 2012: 35,54 %
• 2018: 32,78 %
• 2028: 33,14 %

Investing in real estate: Prices

While you can buy only 16 m² for 1 million in Monaco, 25 m² in New York and 28 m² in London, as an investor you get 98 m² for the same price in Istanbul. In comparison, you would currently get 77 m² in Berlin. Let’s start with the most important fact: What do I get for my money?

Square meter price

Here you can see the current prices per square meter worldwide. The big question is how much living space do you get, exemplified by $1,000,000. Similar to the “Big Mac Index”, this calculation is good to compare the different cities.

For $1 million, you get:

• Monaco – 16 m²
• New York – 25 m²
• London – 28 m²
• Berlin – 77 m²
• Istanbul – 98 m²

Turkey on top in financial support

70% of property owners in Turkey have received help with property financing. Here you can see the percentage of property owners who received financial assistance in selected countries around the world in 2012.

You can find more statistics at Statista

Price levels in comparison: living in the city

How cheap or expensive is living in Istanbul? Compared to the other metropolises, you can quickly see that life in Istanbul is relatively cheap at only 66.3 points. In Germany, the price level is currently 73.8 (Munich) and 72.6 (Frankfurt). Price level in the world’s most important metropolises (in points):

• Oslo 103.0
• Zurich – 100.0
• Tokyo – 83.4
• New York – 74.1
• London – 73.9
• Istanbul – 66.3

New investments! View real estate now

İyi günler – Here are our new objects that you can invest in now:

Istanbul, 41250: Villa in Kartepe

1,810 SqFt Cardpe

• Property: Istanbul, 41250: Villa in Kartepe

Istanbul, 34530: Penthouse Loft in Kumburgaz

2,970 SqFt Kumburgaz – $570,000

• Property: Istanbul, 34530: Penthouse Loft in Kumburgaz

Appraisals: Specifications, experts and market

Unless legal regulations require the appointment of an expert, you will receive a realistic valuation of your property in the regional and national market with a real estate appraisal. We provide timely and accurate valuations of land, residential and commercial properties.

However, if the valuation is to be presented in court, for example in the case of a divorce, experts must be consulted for a fee. The residential or rental property is inspected on site. As a rule, both a written and a digital copy of the appraisal are issued.

This officially recognised market value appraisal has its price. In principle, the appraisal fee depends on the expected market value of the property as well as on the effort required to prepare the appraisal.

Fees for architects and engineers (HOAI)

However, expert fees are still often based on the Ordinance on Fees for Architects and Engineers (HOAI) of 2002, which has no longer been binding since 2009, but since then there has been no fixed regulation for expert opinions and valuations.

Fee in principle freely negotiable

This means that you are basically free to negotiate the fee with the real estate appraiser. Before you commission an appraiser, you should obtain several offers. We will be happy to assist you in selecting and commissioning an appraiser from your region.

In accordance with a guideline of the Bundesverband Sachverständiger (B.V.S. Sachverständiger), the fees for appraisal services are determined on the basis of the property value. Other special features of the property, such as residential and heritable building rights and rights of way, are added.

Appraisal fees: Property value sets the price

If the property is valued at 300,000 Euros, the appraiser’s fee according to the guidelines of the B.V.S. Sachverständige amounts to 1,800 Euros. Since a right of way was additionally appraised, a surcharge of 20 percent = 360 euros can be invoiced. The costs for the expert thus amount to a total of 2,160 euros.

Offsetting with broker commission

If you work with experts when selling the apartment or house, they will prepare a free valuation for your property as a first step.

This initial valuation can serve as a basis for you to decide for or against a sale. After the initial decision, an official value appraisal by a sworn expert can be obtained at any time if required.

Your valuation partner will cover the costs incurred in the event of a sale through the brokerage fees.

The determined optimal price range for your property relates directly to your region and the location on the regional real estate market. The valuation of real estate experts enables the optimal placement of your property throughout Germany.

Don’t limit yourself to local real estate agents

Without financial obligations you receive a professional valuation by real estate agents, with whom you subsequently cooperate for the sale. Experts are experienced in the market and know the prices of comparative properties in your area homes.

The comparative value can also be determined for undeveloped land. The comparative value method only takes into account properties in similar locations and with a comparable layout. The properties included in the valuation should be from the immediate vicinity of the residential property.

The comparative value method is considered to be particularly realistic. It is frequently used to determine the value of properties, as the locations are relatively comparable from region to region.

Valuation for the sale of real estate

All important information about the valuation of real estate sales summarized for you: Valuing a property.

Income approach: Breakdown of market value & building income value

The capitalised earnings value method divides the property into the market value of the land and the building income value.

Land value interest = 7 percent * 100,000 euros = 7,000 euros

Building income value = 5,600 Euro * 12.50 (multiplier) = 70,000 Euro

This includes rental income, maintenance costs and costs for managing the land and building. Accordingly, the rental income less the management costs and the land value including its interest are compared.

• Capitalised earnings method

Material value method: Value for the new construction of a property

The calculation first uses the standard land value to determine the market value of the land, then the real value of the building is added.

The real value of the building is calculated on the basis of the building’s production costs less any reductions for age. The real value of the land (market value of the land) and the real value of the building are added together and multiplied by a real value factor.

Value in kind = (100,000 Euro + 150,000 Euro) * 0.5 = 125,000 Euro

The calculation of the asset value factor is based on the building type, the preliminary asset value and the standard land value. The total tangible asset value determined in this way indicates the financial resources that would be required to rebuild the property.

• Real value method

Comparative value method: Comparison of similar properties

The comparative value method compares your property with similar properties. It is used in particular for the sale of owner-occupied apartments and houses. The comparative value can also be determined for undeveloped land.

Price per square metre of the comparable property = 300,000 Euro / 100 sqm = 3,000 Euro per sqm

Purchase price of the property to be valued = 3,000 Euro * 200 sqm = 600,000 Euro

Only properties in similar locations and with a comparable layout are considered in the comparison. The properties included in the valuation should come from the immediate vicinity of the residential property. The comparative value method is considered to be particularly realistic. It is frequently used to determine the value of properties because the locations are relatively comparable from a regional point of view.

• Comparative value procedure