Usable space, living space and floor space: what is the difference?

Let’s start very simply. You will encounter these values in exposés, in advertisements, in every real estate search. That’s why it’s important to know the difference.

3 Surfaces you will often encounter:

1. Footprint
2. Useful area
3. Living space

The order is chosen specially. Because as you can see here, you come from the 1) floor space to the 2) usable space to the final 3) living space.

Tip. At the end of the article you will also find extra infographics, for clarification

Since there is still a simple “formula” for calculation on the Internet, here in quite simply explained.

Simply expressed as a “formula”:

• Floor area = usable area + circulation area (such as staircase) + functional area (such as boiler room)
• Usable area = Usable area (living area – basement – attic – …)
• Living space = living space (living room + bedroom + …)

Calculate step by step

Let’s look at the process again step by step:

Footprint: Step 1 + Definition

That is, the 1) floor area includes the entire usable area, as well as corridors and staircases (circulation area), and garbage or boiler room (functional area).

This includes all floor areas:

• Living space
• Attic, basement, garages and balconies
• Staircase, corridors, … (so-called traffic area)
• Garbage room, boiler room, … (so-called functional area)

This does not include:

• Plot

Calculate:

Floor area = usable area + circulation area (such as staircase) + functional area (such as boiler room)

Infographic:

Example: All built-up areas, covered areas and upper floors.

Usable area: Step 2 + Definition

After the floor area, consider the 2) usable area, that is, what can really be used in the house or apartment building (for condominiums).

These include, for example:

• Attic
• Basement
• Garages
• Storage rooms (outside the living space)
• Balconies

This no longer includes:

• Staircase, corridors, … (so-called traffic area)
• Garbage room, boiler room, … (so-called functional area)

Calculate:

Usable area = Usable area (living space, basement, attic, …)

Infographic:

Example: Staircase is part of the usable space.

Living space: step 3 + definition

Only then you come to the 3) living space. The living space then indicates the actual habitable space of the property.

Typically only includes:

• Living rooms (bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc.)
• Balconies, loggias, terraces and roof gardens are counted at 25%, at most at 50% (§4 WoFlV)

Calculate:

Living space = living space (living room + bedroom + …)

Now you know the difference.

Infographic:

Example: Living room of a condominium.

Summary: Technical terms as infographics

Once again quickly summarized, the areas, simplified summary with infographic.

1. Total area (use + traffic + function)
   1. Traffic area (staircase, corridors in the house)
   2. Functional area (boiler room, garbage room, etc.)
2. Usable area (everything except traffic area / functional area)
3. Living space (usable space that is not occupied, example: cellar)

Total area / floor space in the house

Use + traffic + function give the total area.

Usable area in the house

Everything except traffic area / functional area results in the usable area.

Living space in the house

Usable space that is not occupied, example: basement, is called living space.

Der Beitrag Usable space, living space and floor space: difference? This is how it’s simple erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.

Equity investment in the purchase of real estate

Whether for personal use or capital investment, equity capital is required for every real estate purchase. Especially when buying your first property, the amount of equity you need to contribute is important. If you are buying a property for your own use, you should contribute as much equity as possible. If you are investing in a property as a capital investment, less is more.

As a basic rule:

• Self-interest = As much equity as possible
• Capital investment = As little equity as possible

Why is that?

Equity as a safety mechanism

In order for the bank to give you a loan for your property, it needs a certain security to get this money back in full later. That is why your creditworthiness is checked in advance. The more liquid your finances are, the less equity is necessary. However, if your expenses outweigh your income, you will need more equity. Once you have received your loan, you pay it back monthly through repayments.

The better your credit rating, the less equity you have

Important: As an owner-occupant, you have to pay back the interest on your loan yourself. Investors, on the other hand, can deduct them from their taxes.

Self-interest: This is how much equity you need

So as an owner-occupier, you need to put in as much equity as possible. In addition, the higher the equity, the lower the interest burden. Because the more equity you bring in, the less risk there is for the financing bank and the lower the interest rates are calculated.

As a general rule: 20% equity for owner-occupiers

Monthly Costs & Income

So how much should you earn each month? Our tip: The monthly cost of your loan should not exceed 40% of your net income.

Here is a calculation example:

• Income (net): 3,000 euros
• 40% = 1.300 Euro

So the monthly repayment including interest should not exceed the 1,300 euros.

Capital investment: This is how little equity you need

While you need as much equity capital as possible for owner-occupation, as an investor you enjoy the advantage of having to contribute far less equity capital. In addition, you can deduct the interest from your taxes. Ideally, even the tenant indirectly pays your interest. As a buyer of a property as an investment, your equity covers only 10-15% of the costs.

These include:

• Incidental purchase costs
• Real estate transfer tax
• Notary fees
• Court costs
• Brokerage costs

Rolling equity: Fast investments

Our pro tip: Make use of your rolling equity. But how does it work? It’s simple: You buy a property and contribute equity. Now this is paid out again through redemption and you can use it directly for your next investment.

Conclusion: This is how much equity you need!

So here is the rule of thumb once again:

• Self-interest = As much equity as possible
• Capital investment = As little equity as possible

In the case of personal use, your equity serves as security for the bank that it will definitely get your money back sooner or later. In principle, the equity you put in should not exceed 40% of your net salary. As an investor, on the other hand, you only need to contribute 10 to 15 percent as equity. The interest is to be borne by the tenant and with the help of rolling equity, you can invest directly in the next property.

You can find more about equity and real estate financing on my new project for real estate buyers (Immobilien-Erfahrung.de):

• Equity (external)

Der Beitrag Equity when buying real estate: Monthly burden, rolling equity & Co! erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.

Rental yield: definition & calculation

Should you decide on a yield property for your real estate investment, the question quickly arises:

Is this property worthwhile as an investment?

After all, buying real estate does not only entail immense costs at the beginning. There are also ongoing operating costs to be paid later on during the rental period. So to make sure that this expense is worthwhile, there is the rental yield. In other words, the rental yield puts your investment in relation to the potential rental income.

Formula for gross rental yield: percentage

To calculate the rental yield, the cold rent (without operating costs) and the purchase price of the property must be put into relation. The complete formula is:

Annual net income / investment * 100 = rental yield

The result is then in percent. The higher the percentage, the better the return. And the better the return, the more you earn from the property. As a real estate investor, you should ideally build up wealth again directly so that you can then invest it in further real estate as a capital investment.

Yield & location: A, B & C location

The decisive factor for the rental yield is the location of your property. Is the property in an A, B or C location? What about the macro and micro location? And is it a yield or investment property? Depending on the location, the respective property types have different rental yields.

A-location: Frankfurt & Munich

Typical for A-locations are low yields and a steady increase in value. Over the long term, therefore, rental yields rise here just as the value of the property itself does. The best examples of this are top A locations such as Munich and Frankfurt:

• Munich Ø Yield ~ 3
• Frankfurt Ø Yield ~ 4

B-location: Dresden & Nuremberg

In principle, B locations also have good returns. In addition, there has also been a significant increase in value here. The ideal rental yield in B locations is between 5 and 6 percent:

• Dresden Ø Yield ~ 5
• Nuremberg Ø Yield ~ 6

C-location: Wuppertal, Chemnitz, Krefeld

Gross rental yields are highest in C locations. On the other hand, there is no increase in value and the risk of vacancy is higher. Here are some examples:

• Wuppertal Ø Yield ~ 7
• Chemnitz Ø Yield ~ 8
• Krefeld Ø Yield ~10

Conclusion: What is the minimum rental yield?

The amount of the rental yield is therefore calculated according to a fixed formula and varies depending on the location and type of property. In principle, the higher the yield, the more profit is made. And the better the location, the lower the yield. Thus, yield properties are worthwhile above all in B and C locations, while you should choose properties in A locations above all for investment properties.

Learn more about rental yield here:

• Rental yield: Return on real estate (external)

If you want to learn even more on the subject of buying a property, whether owner-occupied or capital investment, numerous articles, guides on the subject of rented vs unrented, as well as checklists, all free and 24 hours online available, with us!

Apartment, house, apartment building, everything for real estate beginners!

Now new on Immobilien-Erfahrung.de:

• Buy property: learn – external

Der Beitrag Rental yield explained: build wealth – definition & formula for your yield real estate. erschien zuerst auf ℄ Real Estates.