Property tax: what is it?

What is property tax (real estate): Simply explained?

Property tax is an annual tax levied on the ownership of land or real estate. It is used to finance public services such as road construction, fire departments, police and schools.

The amount of property tax is usually calculated on the basis of the estimated market value / Verkerhwert or the standard land value of the land. In some regions, the property tax may also be based on the size or condition of the building located on the property.

The property tax can vary depending on the state or municipality in the USA. In Germany, it varies from state to state.

As a rule, owners or beneficiaries must pay the property tax annually or quarterly.

Property tax comparison

Property taxes in the U.S. and Germany differ in several important respects:

1. Purpose of the tax
2. Calculation and basis
3. Tax rate and amount
4. Payment and deadlines

Purpose of the tax

Property tax in the USA is used to fund public services such as schools, roads and public safety. In Germany, the property tax is used to tax the ownership of a piece of land.

Calculation and basis

In the USA, property tax is calculated on the basis of the estimated market value of the land. In Germany, property tax is calculated on the basis of the value of the land, which is derived from the standard land value and the building expense.

Tax rate and amount

The tax rate for property tax in the USA varies from state to state and from municipality to municipality. In Germany, the tax rate for property tax is set by law and is generally between 300 and 600 percent of the standard land value.

Payment and deadlines

Property tax in the USA is due annually and must be paid by the owners. In Germany, property tax is generally due quarterly and can also be paid by the owners or by the beneficiaries of the property.

Overall, the differences between property taxes in the U.S. and Germany are significant, but they serve both countries to fund public services.

Facts at a glance: Tax table

Here again in direct comparison, the property tax in the U.S. and in Germany:

This table contains the main differences between the property tax!

The most important links: Property tax

Here are the most important links for Germany and the USA with a focus on the states of New York and California.

• Property tax (Germany)
• Property tax (New York)
• Property Tax (California)
• …
• Taxes USA (real estate purchase)

Grundbucheintrag: Ablauf & Dauer

Ist der Kaufvertrag unterzeichnet, erfolgt nun der Eintrag in das Grundbuch. Bei dem Grundbuch handelt es sich um ein öffentlich zugängliches Verzeichnis, das jede Gemeinde besitzt. Hier hat jedes Grundstück seine eigene Seite mit allen wichtigen Informationen. Dazu gehört auch der Besitzer des Grundstücks. Es geht also darum, dass Sie aus dem Grundbuch ausgetragen und der Käufer eingetragen wird. Erst dann gehört die Immobilie dem neuen Besitzer.

Das steht im Grundbuch:

• Besitzer
• Beschränkungen
• Grundpfandrecht
• Lasten & Rechte Dritter

Termin beim Notar: Auflassungsvormerkung

Auch der Grundbucheintrag gehört zu den Aufgaben des Notars. Er beglaubigt den Kaufvertrag und dessen Unterzeichnung und sorgt dann im Anschluss für eine Auflassungsvormerkung im Grundbuch. Eine Auflassungsvormerkung bedeutet, dass der Verkäufer nun keine Möglichkeit mehr hat, das Haus oder die Wohnung anderweitig zu veräußern. Wird die Immobilie mit einem Kredit komplett abgezahlt, wird hier außerdem die Bank vermerkt. Schließlich muss sich die Bank absichern, dass sie am Ende ihr investiertes Geld auch wiederbekommt. Kann der Kaufpreis komplett ohne Finanzierung der Bank bezahlt werden, dann ist der Käufer der alleinige Besitzer und es wird keine Grundschuld vermerkt.

Zusammengefasst:

• Käufer wird als neuer Besitzer vermerkt
• Verkäufer kann die Immobilie nicht mehr verkaufen
• Bei Darlehen / Kredit: Grundschuld wird notiert

Antrag & Dauer des Grundbucheintrags

Bis der neue Eigentümer komplett eingetragen wurde, kann das ein bisschen Zeit dauern. Meistens dauert es nur wenige Wochen. Kalkulieren Sie auch hier genügend Zeit ein. Sollte das verantwortliche Amtsgericht zu dem Zeitpunkt ausgelastet sein, kann es sich bis zur vollständigen Abwicklung auch ein oder zwei Monate ziehen. Die Kosten für Notar und Grundbucheintrag gelten als Nebenkosten und sind zuzüglich zum Kaufpreis. Genaueres dazu im nächsten Schritt.

Zahlungsabwicklung: Ratenzahlung oder Einmalzahlung?

Wir empfehlen immer, dass der Kaufpreis einmalig an Sie ausgezahlt wird. Es steht Ihnen zwar auch die Option der Ratenzahlung zur Verfügung, doch dann stellt sich die Frage, ab wann das Objekt offiziell in den Besitz des Käufers übergeht. Um hier also Schwierigkeiten und Komplikationen zu vermeiden, sollten Sie eher von einer Ratenzahlung absehen. Außerdem können Sie hier entscheiden, ob Sie den Kaufpreis direkt auf Ihr Konto überwiesen kriegen möchten, oder ob der Betrag zuerst an das Notaranderkonto zu überweisen ist.

Diese Punkte gilt es bei der Zahlunsgabwicklung zu klären:

• Einmalzahlung oder Ratenzahlung?
• Direktzahlung oder Bezahlung über den Notar?

Nachdem der Käufer den Kaufpreis der Immobilie überwiesen hat, bereiten Sie die Übergabe der Immobilie vor.

Weiter zu Schritt 16: Übergabe der Immobilie

Einer der letzten Schritte ist die Übergabe der Immobilie. Hierfür fertigen Sie ein Übergabeprotokoll an und übergeben auch die Schlüssel. Was in das Übergabeprotokoll reingehört und welche Schlüssel Sie übergeben sollten, mehr dazu hier:

• Übergabe der Immobilie

Zurück zu Schritt 14: Notartermin

Bevor Sie Ihr Objekt übergeben, machen Sie und der Käufer einen Notartermin aus, um den Immobilienverkauf zu bestätigen. Mehr zu Ablauf und Dauer in unserem Ratgeber:

• Notartermin

The 8 best sayings for moving in – motivation, congratulations and praise

There is no shortage of sayings for moving in. But which are actually the best or most suitable? That is of course a matter of taste. Nevertheless, we have collected for you the sayings that we find the best. So that there is a suitable saying for everyone, we have made an effort to make the whole thing as diverse as possible. So there are sayings that motivate you, others that generally congratulate you on your new home and others that praise you for the furnishings, the cut or the location of the new apartment.

More tips? The 3-part special on the subject of moving:

1. Part – Moving Checklist: Moving, Schedule & Packing
2. Part – Moving Tips: Moving house & apartment without stress
3. Part – Moving in & congratulations: The most beautiful sayings

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“A new house, a new man.”

Especially for the people who want to start a new beginning in their new home, this saying could be suitable. If you are looking for a saying for the move-in of a close friend of whom you know that he or she is glad to have finished his or her “old life” with the move-out, you could give him or her a card with this saying. Such a saying could motivate your friend and make the person start the “new” life in a positive way.

Hermann Hesse

“And there’s magic in every beginning.”

This saying is a little more distant but still beautiful. It is especially appropriate if you are attending the housewarming party of someone you are not too close to. Through this saying you give no matter whether a single person, a couple or a family a homey, positive feeling. It is also particularly suitable as a saying for the wall. If a family is experiencing several beginnings at the same time, such as the birth of a new family member or a recent wedding in addition to moving house, then this saying could be a perfect fit.

Hoffmann von Fallersleben

“Into every home where love dwells,
There shines in also sun and moon,
…no matter how small it may be,
spring is coming in after all.”

This little poem by Hoffmann von Fallersleben could be the right saying for a card that a student or trainee receives for their first small 1-room apartment or shared room. The crucial point in this poem, that the inhabitants of a house or an apartment are much more important for the atmosphere than the size or the appearance, is taken up here particularly beautifuly and could please a person who moves into a small apartment and motivate the love by the presence to express more strongly.

Moving into a new home – design a card

Meister Eckhart

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new, and trust the magic of the beginning.”

This is also a very popular saying for the moving card. This saying is suitable for close friends of whom you know that you associate their moving into the new apartment or house with a new beginning. With the description “Magic of the beginning” you give the person a good feeling on the way. You can also make family members a little happier with this saying.

Friedrich Rückert

“Paint your room inside,
that thine eye may rest upon it;
leave the outside of your house undecorated,
…that it may not provoke the eyes of the enemy.”

This little poem by Friedrich Rückert might be appropriate for your card if the person to whom it is adressed is a little superstitious. The belief that enemy glances at a house bring bad luck is not uncommon. Of course, this poem does not necessarily have to be related to superstition, as envy can also create a bad neighborhood climate in general. What is special about this saying is that it does not only consist of good luck wishes, but can also make a person think a little. So if you are looking for something special, this saying might be right for you.

Klabund

“Whoever steps over this threshold,
He brings goodness and cheerfulness with him!
If one of you comes here worried..:
The dust collector is at the door!”

Such a saying is suitable for everyone. Even people who are not so close, you can make a joy. Conceivable this saying would also be on the doormat in front of the house or the apartment. Who would like to make someone a somewhat larger gift to the moving in than a card, which could let manufacture a doormat with this inscription. Wondering where something like this can be done? Here we have found for you a website where it is possible: Matmaker.

Horst Winkler

“May you be quite happy here
Lots of sunshine inside too!”

Here again a short, beautiful saying that actually always fits. If it is just one person, you could just change the saying a bit. With such a saying you are on the safe side and can not go wrong.

“Learn order, love it, for it will save you time and trouble.”

Finally, a saying that stands out from the rest. Whoever writes such a saying on a card for someone to move in, should have a particularly close relationship with this person and know whether this person would take the saying with humor. Especially if it is the brother or sister with whom you have a close relationship and you know that they tend to be messy, this saying could be suitable and funny.

These were the best 8 move-in, move-out sayings we found for you. Whether for your card, your gift, your wall or even your doormat, we hope that the right saying was there for you.

More tips? The 3-part special on the subject of moving:

1. Part – Moving Checklist: Moving, Schedule & Packing
2. Part – Moving Tips: Moving house & apartment without stress
3. Part – Moving in & congratulations: The most beautiful sayings

Maintenance task (real estate) at a glance: Preservation of the functional conditions

• Measures to preserve the existing building fabric
• Measures include: Maintenance, inspection, servicing and improvement
• The objectives include: Prevention of system failures, improvement of operational safety, reduction of malfunctions, etc.

Back to the wiki: Real Estate

An overview of the contributions to public utilities: The developer’s obligation to pay for public facilities and connections

• Are levied by the respective municipalities
• Cover for the construction of roads, parking areas, paths, etc.
• Connections for electricity, gas, water and sewerage are included in the development costs.
• Significant cost factor for the building owner

Back to the wiki: Real Estate