Buying in Germany: first property

Good things should be recommended and one of the largest knowledge platforms in Germany, is definitely one of them, more precisely: Immobilien-Erfahrung.de. Tip. Use the Google Translator to translate the know-how into your language!

• Read Immobilien-Erfahrung.de in English

3 typical mistakes of first-time buyers

Thorsten Bader, expert at B&B Optimal GmbH and managing director of Immobilien-Erfahrung.de, recommends potential buyers to consider their first property exclusively as a capital investment instead of using it themselves. In this case, there is namely the risk that the management costs, such as insurance, property tax and operating costs, which in addition increase in their amount every year by an average of 5 percent, affect the financial independence.

Purchasing without accurate knowledge of the market

Mistake number two is to engage in the purchase of a property without accurate knowledge of the market. Here, there is a risk of buying a condominium at an overpriced price or spending more on renovation work than actually planned. Therefore, potential buyers should carefully plan their finances in advance and be aware of the current market value and the costs involved.

Condition of the property

Mistake number three is not getting enough information about the condition of the property. Here, one should not only check the appearance, but also the technical condition and the structural substance in detail. Hidden defects such as moisture damage or problems with the electrical system can lead to unexpected costs later. A well-done appraisal by an expert is also advisable here.

In summary, when buying their first property, interested parties should make sure that they consider it exclusively as a capital investment, have precise knowledge of the market, inform themselves about the condition of the property and plan their finances carefully. With these tips, a financially sound capital investment in a condominium can be realized.

Why is a capital investment “better”?

Living for rent and renting out your property?

Real estate as an investment offers several advantages over using it as your own home:

1. Renting
2. Increase in value
3. Financial security

Renting instead of owner-occupying

Real estate can be rented out, which can generate regular income. Your tenant pays the installments of your financing with the monthly rent. At the same time, as a tenant, you have to take care of virtually nothing yourself. Self-use, on the other hand, means: If your salary fails, the repayment of the financing fails. If the heating is defective, you have to take care of everything and, so to speak, always have double damage.

Increase in value

Increase in value: real estate tends to have a stable increase in value, which allows the owner to enjoy an increase in value.

Financial Protection

Financial security: renting a property can provide financial security in retirement.

However, it is important to note that any investment carries some risk and it is important to consider an investor’s specific needs and goals before making a decision.

Investing in Germany

Learn more about interesting and attractive locations in Germany here:

• Capital Investment Atlas

Want to learn more about the real estate market in Germany? Use Google Translator to translate the know-how into your language!

• Read real estate-experience.com in English

With a few clicks you can translate the content of the knowledge platforms for German real estate into your language

Where do the Richest People Live?

If you’re a millionaire, you want a house befitting of a millionaire. That’s why we’ve collected everything you need to know about the places with the most millionaires, the most billionaires, the most expensive cities int he world and the country. This is the definitive luxury list. London is the city with the most millionaires in the world, with 357.000, the size of a small city! Keep reading to find out where the richest of the rich buy their property…

List – Cities with Most Millionaires

One way to measure where the richest people live is to see how many millionaires live in the city. The more millionaires, the more luxurious, expensive and high class the city is bound to be. What makes up a city to have a lot of millionaires? First and foremost, a lot of people. That means that in a city with 5 million inhabitants, you’ll likely have 5 times more millionaires than in a city with 1 million inhabitants. It’s also about where there’s luxury real estate though, because millionaires want to live like millionaires.

Worldwide – Top 10 Cities with Richest People

So, without further ado, it’s time to look at the cities which are home to most millionaires. No surprise, New York is near the top with 357.000 millionaires . It’s a playground if you want to buy luxury New York real estate. The top 5 are rounded out by London at the very top, and three asian cities following. The top 10 cities with the most millionaires worldwide are:

1. London, UK – 357.000 millionaires
2. New York City, USA – 339.000 millionaires
3. Tokyo, Japan – 279.000 millionaires
4. Hong Kong, HK – 228.000 millionaires
5. Singapore, Singapore – 217.300 millionaires
6. San Francisco, USA – 180.300 millionaires
7. Los Angeles, USA – 173.300 millionaires
8. Chicago, USA – 135.000 millionaires
9. Frankfurt, Germany – 128.300 millionaires
10. Beijing, China – 122.000 millionaires

USA – Top 10 Cities with Richest People

The USA is well-represented in the top 10 cities worldwide, making up 3 of the top ten. That’s not bad. In total the USA has over 18.000.000 millionaires, more than 4 times as much as the nearest competitor, China. With this many millionaires, they have to live somewhere, a lot of them in NYC, San Francisco, and Los Angeles obviously, but where else? These are the top 10 cities in the USA with most millionaires:

1. New York City, NY – 339.000 millionaires
2. San Francisco, CA – 180.300 millionaires
3. Los Angeles, CA – 173.300 millionaires
4. Chicago, IL – 135.000 millionaires
5. Washington, DC – 120.000 millionaires
6. Boston, MA – 110.200 millionaires
7. Philadelphia, PA – 109.000 millionaires
8. Houston, TX – 98.500 millionaires
9. San Jose, CA – 90.700 millionaires
10. Detroit, MI – 90.100 millionaires

Most Popular Destinations for the Ultra Rich – Las Vegas, L.A., and more

So you want to learn more about how the richest of the rich live? Well look no further. The richest can be found in Las Vegas Bellagio Suites, Miami Penthouses, and New York Lofts. This is how the richest of the rich live.

Las Vegas – Where the Millionaires live

Las Vegas is home to the richest man in Nevada and the richest man is: Sheldon Adelson, owner of the Las Vegas Sands, a luxury resort chain. It is home to the world’s biggest and best Casinos, and some of the most prime real estate you can imagine. Las Vegas has more gated communities than water in the ocean, and each is more luxurious than the last. That makes it attractive for people looking to have some fun, but also people who are looking to invest smart.

$18.5 mil. Mansion – Villa Tour in Las Vegas

One example of a property in Las Vegas. Typical for the city: decadent furnishings, modern and sleek style, combined with lush greenery, and of course… a golf course in immediate proximity. It also has 7 bedrooms, as well as pool with its own 21 foot waterfall.

• Location: 93 Spanish Gate Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89113

What is the Most Expensive Neighborhood in Las Vegas? The Ultra Rich

It’s a bit of a complicated matter, with Summerlin and Henderson probably being the residential areas with the most >$1 mil. transactions. Although these are not strictly within city limits, we’re just going to count it as Las Vegas. So, the most expensive residential area in Las Vegas is ‘the Ridges’, located in Summerlin. Prices range from $2 mil. and $7 mil. for a house. It is also the area in Las Vegas with most house sales >$1 mil, with the most expensive on the market at the time of writing being $30,4 mil. The full list of most expensive communities in Las Vegas below:

1. The Ridges: $2.000.000 – $7.000.000
2. Anthem Country Club: $1.200.000 – $4.400.000
3. Macdonald Highlands: $1.000.000 – $4.200.000
4. Southern Highlands Country Club: $1.000.000 – $3.000.000
5. Seven Hills: $1.000.000 – $2.700.000

Las Vegas Luxury Real Estate – Property Investments in Sin City

In Las Vegas, real estate is a commodity like in any other city, except with the difference that the city is filled with people looking to make a quick buck, and ready to take a risk. What real estate is concerned it’s an interesting market, and is likely going to be a growing niche in the national markets. Learn more about the hottest neighborhoods, the best places to live, and what you have to know about Las Vegas:

Las Vegas Luxury Real Estate

Miami – Billionaire Row in Florida

Miami is a tropical mega city, and has all the luxury and decadence to show for it. From manmade islands, to the best restaurants in the world, as well as a booming arts scene, and postcard worthy views at every turn. It’s hard to top this city for atmosphere. No wonder it’s home to thousands of millionaires who happily take a seat overlooking the clear turquoise blue waters. If you want to live among the ultra-wealthy, Miami is the place to go.

Designer Mansion in Florida – Millionaire Miami House Tour

Just outside Miami is Tommy Hilfiger’s ‘Fun House’. Here, nestled between ocean and palm trees is a mansion that looks more like a luxury resort. Estimated to be worth around $25.000.000, this probably isn’t easy to purchase. But it is on the market right now! Designed by Martin Lawrence Bullard, this beach villa tour is bound to leave you speechless.

Most Expensive Areas – Where do Millionaires live in Miami?

You may have heard of millionaire’s row in Miami. But Millionaire’s Row isn’t what it used to be. Not since the 90’s have the richest people in Miami lived in this stretch on Collins Avenue between 41st and 63rd Street. Nowadays the ultra-wealthy are heading towards Indian Creek Island, where the biggest and most expensive houses can be found.

List – Where do Millionaires live in Miami?

In Miami, millionaires tend to live in a few top neighborhoods. Although arguably all of Miami Beach is a massive luxury suburb, there’s some neighborhoods you won’t believe. As mentioned the most expensive, hottest, most billionaire, CEO, model, Actor place is definitively Indian Creek Island. Also popular are the Venetian Islands, manmade islands with some of the east coast’s most exclusive properties. Another area to keep in mind: Fisher Island, another of the famous islands lining Miami’s coral-blue waters. These are the richest neighborhoods in Miami:

1. Indian Creek Island: $15.000.000 – $47.000.000
2. North Bay Road: $7.500.000 – $45.000.000
3. Star Island: $7.100.000 – $28.000.000
4. Hibiscus Island: $1.200.000 – $14.200.000
5. Venetian Islands: $1.000.000 – $25.700.000

Where to Buy Property in Miami – Real Estate Investment Florida

To make smart investments, you need to know the situation. From Florida property taxes, mortgage, renovations, etc. everything you need to know about buying a house in Miami, can be found in our article on the top investment areas for Miami. It also details real estate market explanations, and steps to buying real estate, houses, apartments, etc. in Miami, Florida’s hottest, richest, biggest, city.

Miami Luxury Real Estate

Los Angeles – Richest, Celebrities, and CEOs

Los Angeles is maybe one of the most famous cities in the world. If you want to buy real estate in L.A., you may want to look away now. L.A. isn’t just famous because it’s home to Hollywood, Bel-Air, and Beverly Hills. This mega city has everything from art, world-class restaurants, stadiums, beaches, and the list goes on. It’s truly a playground for the richest of the rich.

Top 10 Richest People in L.A. – Who are L.A’s richest inhabitants?

The richest people to live in L.A. are mostly businessmen. There are few women, and also few from the film industry. Although the famous movie director Steven Spielberg is at 12th, and music mega-producer and owner of Geffen Records, David Geffen is at 6th position. The richest people living in L.A. are Elon Musk ($197 bi0.), pharma mogul Patrick Soon-Shiong (6,9 bio.), and Sean Parker ($3 bio.). To spot for the richest people in L.A., the full list of wealthiest Angelenos:

1. Elon Musk
2. Patrick Soon-Shiong
3. Sean Parker
4. David Geffen
5. John Tu
6. Eli Broad
7. Stewart & Lynda Resnick
8. Tamara Hughes Gustavson
9. Steven Udvar-Hazy
10. Rick Caruso

Most Expensive Property in Los Angeles – Luxury Home

This massive property has been dubbed the most luxurious house in the USA. Being worth over $250 million, and including a prviate helicopter, personal chefs, masseuses, 24/7 security, and much more, it makes sense that this property is as expensive as it is.

• 21 Bathrooms
• 12 Bedrooms
• Location: 924 Bel Air Road
• Price: $250 mio.

Where do the Rich Live in Los Angeles? Most Expensive Areas in L.A.

Everyone’s heard about the mega-mansions in Beverly Hills, or the villas lining the palm-lined streets in Bel-Air. There’s probably a lot of areas you’ve never heard of though, that are home to the richest and most luxurious houses you can imagine. Topping the list, Beverly Hills with the average home here costing aroun $9.990.000. Note, if you want to buy an apartment in L.A., it won’t be this expensive! Below the list of most expensive neighborhoods in L.A.:

1. Beverly Hills – $9,99 mio
2. Bel-Air/Holmby Hills – $5.7 mio.
3. Malibu – $5,49 mio.
4. Brentwood – $4,5 mio.
5. Pacific Palisades – $4,7 mio
6. Beverly Hills Post Office – $4,4 mio.
7. Santa Monica – $3,6 mio.

Buying Real Estate in L.A. – Most Expensive

For Luxury Real Estate in L.A., for example if you want to buy a house in L.A., you’re going to want to get informed first. That’s why we have our full overview below. It tells you everything from the current state of the market, the things you should look out for, where to buy real estate in L.A., and pretty much everything else you need to know if you’re thinking about buying property in the city of angels.

Los Angeles Luxury Real Estate

New York – NYC Billionaires Real Estate

If Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the world, New York City is the most famous. It is synonymous with metropolis, America, and everything you could ever want or imagine exists in this mega-metropolis. It’s home to some of the tallest buildings in the world, the richest people in the world, the best condos and apartments, and the best bars and restaurants. Apart from some extremely high property taxes, New York City is a gift for real estate investors.

Condo tour in New York – Luxury Apartment Walk-Through

This apartment can be found in the world’s slimmest skyscraper, and gives you a view of central park. It’s seemingly endless luxury begins with the plaster walls, true-wood flooring, a bar with marble countertops. If you’re packing your bags, slow down though, as you’re going to be looking at the hefty price tag of $28.750.000.

• Price: $28.750.000
• Location: 111 West 57th

What is the Most Expensive Neighborhood in New York? The Richest in the Big Apple

It’s no surprise that almost all of the most expensive properties in New York are going to be found in Manhattan. Famous for big companies, its crazy income tax, and skyscrapers to no end. Remember that these prices are for buying an apartment in New York, if you want even more luxury, try buying a house in New York. The ultra-luxurious and high-class areas in this part of the city are world-famous. SoHo, TriBeCa, and Hudson Yards can be heard in movies and songs every year thanks to their iconic status in culture. The most expensive neighborhood in all of NYC is NoHo, with the average house costing around $3.250.000. On a side note, the most expensive area in Brooklyn Cobble Hill is around $1.600.000, and in Queens, Ditmars Steinway is $1.100.000.

1. Noho – $3.250.000
2. Hudson Yards – $3.201.875
3. Tribeca – $3.150.000
4. Central Park South – $3.050.218
5. Nolita – $3.002.146
6. Theatre District – $2.970.000
7. Bowery – $2.350.000
8. Soho – $2.330.000
9. Civic Center – $2.270.000
10. Hudson Square/West Soho – $2.050.000

Luxury Real Estate New York – Expensive and Luxurious

Buying real estate in New York is surely no easy task. If you’re thinking about investing in New York real estate, or even just want to get informed about the real estate market in New York, we have the perfect reading for you. In the article below we detail the best neighborhoods to live in New York, where to buy real estate, how to get into the real estate market, and what you need to look out for. It’s part of our series on buying a house and buying an apartment.

New York Luxury Real Estate

Paying to get Money Loaned

You pay off real estate by getting a mortgage. On this mortgage you have to pay interest No other country has mortgage interest rates as high as Argentina. Paying off a mortgage here means an uncomfortable 41.11% mortgage interest rate. In Finland, this is much more affordable with a manageable 1.42%. Before delving into mortgage interest, we explain shortly what a mortgage itself is.

• Highest mortgage interest: Argentina – 41.11%
• Lowest mortgage interest: Finland – 1.42%

Mortgage Definition & Explanation

A mortgage is a type of loan. That means it is a sum of money which a lender pays on behalf of a borrower. A mortgage is a loan which is used to pay off property. The borrower is required to pay the money which they borrowed back, but not as a lump sum, but rather in rates. This means that e.g. as opposed to paying 1 mil. in one transaction, the borrower can pay 10.000 every month for 100 months. On top of this though, the lender typically requires interest, which is a percentage of the total loan which the borrower must pay on top of the rates.

Curious about the details of mortgages? Our easy to understand guide explains everything you need to know:

• Mortgages Explained Easily – How-to, Easy Guide

Mortgage Interest – What is it?

Interest is a price which you pay for the service and risk of someone loaning you money. Mortgage interest rates are expressed as annual payments, and are e.g. 5%. That means that every year you will pay an additional 5% of the total loan amount to the mortgage lender.

How do Mortgages Work?

Who pays less on their mortgage? Which mortgage works for who? There are certain characteristics which make some people more attractive as borrowers to the lender, these people then have to pay less mortgage interest than others. These can be understood simply with the rule of thumb, the more you pay at the point of closing, and the less of a risk you are to the lender, the lower the interest rate will be. The following factors mean you pay a lower mortgage interest rate

• Higher loan orgination fee
• Larger down payment
• The property is a private residence
• Better credit score

APR or Interest Rate? Meaning Explained

What is the difference between APR and interest rate? Interest rate is the annual cost of the loan itself, while APR is the annual cost to the borrower, including fees and other charges on top of the raw percentage rate. This is so that the borrower is cleared up about exactly how much the loan is costing them. It is based on the Federal Truth in Lending act.

• Interest rate is the annual cost of the loan itself
• APR is the annual cost to the borrower

Calculating Mortgage Interest: Formula

How do you calculate mortgage interest? You will receive a mortgage interest rate or an APR, as explained above. This is an annual rate, but you will have to pay it monthly. As an example, we take a loan of $500.000 with an APR of 5%.

Loan Amount x Rate = Annual Payment

$500.000 x 5% = $25.000

Every month you will have to pay this amount divided by 12 (for the 12 months in the year). That means that in order too budget properly, you will need to calculate this as well. So, how do you calculate your monthly mortgage interest?

Annual Payment / 12 = Monthly payment

$25.000 / 12 = $2.083

Wondering about what you have to pay when buying a house? There are too many additional costs to name here, but we’ve summarized everythign you need to know

• All Additional Costs when Buying a House

Types of Mortgage Interest

When choosing your mortgage, you will have to decide between fixed-rate and adjustable rate. These differ significantly, and it is therefore very important to undersstand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Fixed Rate vs. Adjustable Rate

Fixed-rate loans and adjustable rate loans (also called adjustable rate mortgages) differ in the variability of interest rate, as the name states. That means fixed-rate loans incur the same interest over the whole period of the loan, while adjustable rate loans incur a rate which is set to change across the lifespan of the loan.

The first, fixed rate loans are attractive because there is safety. The interest rate will not change, and therefore budgeting and planning is easy. Typically fixed rate loans are more expensive at the outset than adjustable rates. Additionally, fixed rate loans are designated by time period. The most popular time frame is a 15-year fixed rate loan. That means the borrower pays back the loan and the same interest rate over 15 years.

Second, adjustable rate loans, are attractive to start with, because the rates are lower. Yet, because they can change, borrowers can be surprised that the interest rate increases over time. These also usually begin with e.g. 5 years of a fixed rate, after which the rate begins to vary.

Mortgage Interest Comparisons: Where is Interest Highest?

There are a few top destinations for real estate investments, to know where it is financially viable to invest, and where the rates are high, we have cherry picled some important destinations. Further down is the full list of mortgage interest rates worldwide ranked.

USA – Land of Investment

New York or Los Angeles? What a choice. In the USA, you have a fairly high average mortgage interest rate of 4.9%. But thankfully it’s not difficult to Save on Real Estate Taxes. 4.9% is much lower than many other countries, including its neighbour Mexico, with 11.1%, but more than its other, Canada which has an average rate of 3.6%. Its massive standing worldwide means this is a place where investment is always attractive, and its unlikely to break down into a null market any time soon.

4.9% – Rank 67

• GDP: $20,54 bil.
• Pop: 327,2 mil.

Germany – Consumer Protection

Another country popular for property investment, Germany has a low low average mortgage interest rate of 1.88%. This ranks it the 9th lowest worldwide. With a growing economy, and home to cultural hubs such as Berlin, shopping and fashion centers like Dusseldorf, or new tech monsters like Cologne, its no surprise this is a growing market where many are looking to invest.

1.88% – Rank 95

• GDP: $3,95 bil.
• Pop: 83,02 mil.

Germany has a very different system for real estate, law and mortgages. Our article covers everything you need to know:

• German Real Estate Explained

United Kingdom – History and Power

The home of the Queen, Big Ben, and Stonehenge. There’s much to see here in what was once the world’s foremost power. No countries boast as long a tradition of power and money as the isles weest of Europe. Its average mortgage interest rate is 3.20%, among the lower rates worldwide, and lower than the United States.

3.20% – Rank 79

• GDP: $2.86 tril.
• Pop: 66,65 mil.

Mortgage Interest Worldwide – Full Ranking

Below the full list of countries worldwide where a mortgage interest rate (or comparable) exist. These are ranked from highest rate to lowest. As you can see, mortgage interest rates are highest in Argentina, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Also note that for a different time span, interest rates will be very different. These depart heavily from the average in the USA, which is 4.9%.

The ones listed below are for a 20 year plan with a fixed rate. Nonetheless, they give an accurate overview of where these rates are high or low.

• Argentina – 41.11 %
• Iran – 20.84 %
• Uzbekistan – 20.15 %
• Ukraine – 19.22 %
• Nigeria – 18.50 %
• Turkey – 15.57 %
• Sri Lanka – 14.66 %
• Kenya – 14.56 %
• Kazakhstan – 14.55 %
• Pakistan – 14.05 %
• Belarus – 13.95 %
• Egypt – 13.48 %
• Paraguay – 13.38 %
• Dominican Republic – 12.62 %
• Nepal – 11.74 %
• Colombia – 11.47 %
• Georgia – 11.41 %
• Armenia – 11.30 %
• Bangladesh – 11.21 %
• Mexico – 11.10 %
• Honduras – 10.92 %
• Ecuador – 10.73 %
• Indonesia – 10.29 %
• Russia – 10.25 %
• South Africa – 10.23 %
• Costa Rica – 9.69 %
• Brazil – 9.66 %
• Peru – 9.64 %
• Moldova – 9.39 %
• India – 9.25 %
• Vietnam – 9.17 %
• El Salvador – 8.93 %
• Tunisia – 8.91 %
• Iraq – 8.86 %
• Bolivia – 8.65 %
• Azerbaijan – 8.48 %
• Jamaica – 8.33 %
• Uruguay – 7.83 %
• Jordan – 7.82 %
• Guatemala – 7.79 %
• Palestine – 7.67 %
• Philippines – 7.61 %
• Lebanon – 7.08 %
• Montenegro – 6.63 %
• Algeria – 6.34 %
• Bahrain – 6.32 %
• Trinidad And Tobago – 6.30 %
• Kuwait – 5.99 %
• Iceland – 5.96 %
• Romania – 5.86 %
• North Macedonia – 5.53 %
• Panama – 5.42 %
• Thailand – 5.41 %
• Morocco – 5.34 %
• China – 5.15 %
• Albania – 5.12 %
• Hungary – 4.98 %
• Qatar – 4.78 %
• Oman – 4.71 %
• Greece – 4.67 %
• Kosovo (Disputed Territory) – 4.66 %
• Poland – 4.48 %
• Malaysia – 4.44 %
• New Zealand – 4.39 %
• United Arab Emirates – 4.27 %
• Saudi Arabia – 4.21 %
• United States – 4.19 %
• Bosnia And Herzegovina – 4.14 %
• Malta – 4.07 %
• Croatia – 4.02 %
• Serbia – 4.01 %
• Chile – 3.92 %
• Australia – 3.92 %
• Bulgaria – 3.84 %
• Israel – 3.62 %
• Ireland – 3.58 %
• Canada – 3.55 %
• South Korea – 3.44 %
• United Kingdom – 3.20 %
• Slovenia – 3.18 %
• Cyprus – 2.97 %
• Norway – 2.89 %
• Sweden – 2.75 %
• Czech Republic – 2.68 %
• Latvia – 2.67 %
• Hong Kong – 2.57 %
• Estonia – 2.52 %
• Lithuania – 2.40 %
• Singapore – 2.38 %
• Spain – 2.35 %
• Portugal – 2.28 %
• Netherlands – 2.24 %
• Austria – 2.07 %
• Italy – 1.94 %
• Germany – 1.88 %
• Taiwan – 1.84 %
• Belgium – 1.81 %
• Denmark – 1.69 %
• France – 1.56 %
• Slovakia – 1.54 %
• Switzerland – 1.52 %
• Japan – 1.47 %
• Finland – 1.42 %

Additional Fees When Buying a House?

Everyone knows that you will pay money to another homeowner when you purchase your house, and for a long time as part of your mortgage interest. You will likely be aware that there are some fees that you will pay to a realtor in case you have hired one. Yet there’s many additional fees you can expect on top of that. In general, a rough estimate is that these costs are usually between 3 and 6 percent of the total purchase price of the home.

• Additional 3-6% of total purchase price

That means a $1 mil. home can incur $60.000 additional costs on top of the purchasing price.

$1 mil. House = $60.000 Additional Costs

People like to call all these costs closing costs, yet taken strictly, closing costs are all costs which occur at a point of sale of real estate, which are not the basic value of the real estate. This does not include e.g. furnishings or mortgage insurances though. Below all additional closing costs as well as additional fees which you may incur when buying a home.

All Fees – List

Below we shed some light on what the fees are which a buyer will have to deal with, who pays these, and why these are paid. Here we list the most important ones:

Earnest Money – Real Estate Deposit

The first expense you will incur when buying a home is called “earnest money”. It is a form of downpayment, a deposit paid by a future buyer which demonstrates the seriousness of his or her intentions to purchase a property. It is usually paid to a broker or agent, and held in an escrow account until the purchase is completed. It is later used to pay for the down payment or closing costs.

That is, unless the deal fails and it is found to be your failt. If this is not the case, and the deal falls through for reasons out of the buyer’s control, he or she will be refunded the money. Typical ‘earnest money’ deposits in the USA range from $500 to $2,000.

• Between $500 and $2,000

Down Payment – Beginning Mortgage

Everyone’s heard of down payments, and they’re vital to understand. A down payment is a portion of the total price of the home which you pay at the point of sale. As most people cannot pay the full sum of the real estate at the point of sale. It typically works as follows: an individual pays a downpayment to the seller of a piece of real estate. A financial institution, such as a bank, will pay the seller the remaining amount, and receive scheduled payments from the buyer. These scheduled payments form part of a mortgage, read more in our article

• Mortgage Explained – Easy, How-to, Definition, More

How much is a Down Payment?

In the U.S., the rates vary, but the typical rate is 20%, with 5% or less being rare, but still possible. The higher this percentage is, the less an individual is typically going to borrow from the bank, and therefore the lower the interest rates will be on the money needed to pay back. Additionally, the more that is paid, the lower the amount on which interest is collected. E.g. if the rate is 20%, you pay less if this is 20% of $200.000 than if it is 20% of $800.000.

• 5%-20% of Purchase Price

Taxes you Have to Pay Buying Real Estate

There are a few taxes which you need to pay when purchasing a home. These include mortgage taxes, property taxes, and transfer taxes. These are not universal across states, and need to be regarded as a critical part of the additional costs you pay when buying a home. We have a full article on the matter giving simple details

All Taxes You Have to Pay when Buying a Home

Mortgage Insurance – Real Estate Safety Net

Mortgage insurance, not to be confused with mortgage tax, is an insurance on being able to pay your mortgage. Typically this is only required if you make a down payment less than 20% of the original purchase price. Also called private mortgage insurance or mortgage insurance premium (the same thing, but when you receive a mortgage through the Federal Housing Authority). Additionally, those receiving a loan over the department of veteran affairs are not required to pay mortgage insurance of any kind.

How much is Mortgage Insurance?

The rates of mortgage insurance are typically between 0.55% to 2.25%. This percentage is calculated as a proportion of your loan. For example, a loan totalling 2 mil. with a mortgage insurance rate of 2% will be $40.000. Additionally, these are typically paid annually.

• 0.55% to 2.25% of total Mortgage

Furnishing – Critically Underestimated

Actually putting your furniture is an often underestimated part of buying a new house. Although irrelevant for those merely seeking to spread investments, for home owners, these can be substantial sums. The costs of moving into a new house can be on average up to $35.000. Moving costs on average between $1.100-$5.630 for the average homeowner, and for those buying properties in the millions, this sum is substantially larger. These include a thorough professional cleaning of the new house, hiring movers, which can costs up to 50$/hour adding up to thousands. Then supplies to move such as a blankets, or paint to paint walls, as well as hired painters. The list goes on.

• Up to $35.000

For property investors looking to rent out their property, even more significant costs can be expected. With sums of $10.000 to be expected for an unfurnished house, homebuyers often do not calculate this into their expected costs.

Discount Points: How to Reduce your Mortgage Payment

Discount points are also called mortgage points, upfront points, or just points. These are not mandatory, but if paid offer considerable advantages, given that there is not a low loan rate. The buyer pays a certain amount to the seller, which then enables the buyer to lower the interest rate on their mortgage. These can be used similarly on conventional or government loans. If you invest in one discount point, you are able to reduce your interest rate by 1%.

• 1 discount point = 1% less interest

When to Buy Discount Points

It is advantageous for a buyer to invest in discount points when two factors come true

1. The buyer intends to own the property for a long time, which means that the interest will be paid for a long time. A discount point would then mean leass dollars paid each month, and over many years this would be worth it.
2. If you plan on paying your mortgaeg off in the designated time period or longer. For persons who intend to pay an e.g. 10 year mortgage off in 5 years, a discount point would be worth it.

What is an Escrow Fee?

This is a fee which is paid to the title company, escrow company, attorney, etc. who helped the buyer close the sale. Like most other closing costs, these are a percentage of the sales price. Often teh value of which is split between the buyer and the seller.

This fee goes to the escrow agent who helps you close. It can vary based on the purchase price of the home, but it is paid to the party who handles the closing: the title company, escrow company or an attorney, depending on state law.

Title Search Fee – Paid to Title Company

The title search fee is another closing cost. It pays for the work which the title company (an organisation which typically the buyer has hired) does in ensuring that there are no issues in ownership or past disputes. This is an aspect of closing costs in which it is quite simple to reduce costs by investing time to identify high quality and low-cost companies.

Survey/Appraisal Fees – Land Inspection

You will need to be have an official and registered survey and appraisal of a property for the lender. If an existing survey of the land you wish to purchase cannot be procured, a new survey must be carried out to determine the exact boundaries of the land. These usually cost about $500. For the appraisal, you pay a certified appraiser to determine the value of the house. Most lenders require this, this usually costs between $300 and $400.

• Between $300-$400

Property Tax – Pro Rata at Purchase

Property taxes must be paid pro rata at the point of sale. This means it is included in closing costs. For a full overview about this and other taxes, such as the recording tax (also called recording fee or notarization fee) refer to the full article

• All Taxes you Pay when Buying a Home

Origination Fee/Loan Origination Fee

Part of the mortgage closing costs, this fee covers administrative costs for processing a loan, and is usually 1% of the loan amount. Some lenders do not charge this, and instead have a higher interest rate. It is important to know that, often, these fees can be itemized in your final statement.

• Cost about 1%

Homeowners Insurance – Extra Security for Home

Just like with property taxes, when buying a home, you are required to pay a pro-rated share of the homeowners insurance. That means you need to pay ahead for a given time period. This time period is generally one year. Because you pay the insurance premium, the cost depends on the insurance of the house

• One year Insurance Premium

Attorney Fees – Should I get an Attorney?

These won’t be necessary everywhere, or with every purchase. Some states require an attorney to oversee the purchase of the house, and in some situations the buyer may want an attorney for other reasons. These attorneys take fees of course, and when purchasing a property, you will need to pay them. Attorneys are actually mandatory when buying property in New York.

Title Insurance – Protecting Against Claims

Title insurance is intended to protect both the lender and buyer from claims. These claims may be against the house in the case of the lender, and for the buyer prootection against past contractors making claims.

Lender’s Title Insurance

The lender title insurance is a one time fee paid at time of closing. It is paid to the title company, to protect in the case of an ownership dispute, e.g. when a lien arises that was not identified in the title search. This fee is usually betweeen 0.5 to 1% of the loan amount

• One-time fee, up to 1% of loan amount

Owner’s Title Insurance

This is an optional fee. Although you may come to regret it heavily in the case that someone does challenge the ownership. Therefore, while it is not mandatory, it is done by almost everyone, and highly recommended in any case.

Broker Fees – Commissions for Real Estate Sale

Broker fees are probably the first thing people think of when thinking about closing costs. These are also called agent comissions or real estate commissions. These are often paid by the seller, but are also usually part of the negotiations, and in a sense therefore also paid by the buyer. They are the fees which are paid to the brokers of a real estate purchase. These brokers are usually the listing agent (i.e. the seller’s agent who offers the property) and the buyer’s agent (who finds the property for the buyer, organizes, etc.). The fee is usually between 5-6% of the purchase price, meaning an additional cost of up to $60.000 if you are buying a property worth $1 mil.

• 5-6% of Purchase Price

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:

1. Reduction in purchase price through concrete points of criticism (e.g. building materials)
2. 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.

• Appraising Apartment
• Appraising House
• Appraising Apartment Buildings
• Appraising Land

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!