Property tax: definition & explanation

The property tax is not to be confused with the land transfer tax. While the real estate transfer tax is only due once when a property or land is purchased, the property tax is levied four times a year. There is a distinction between property tax “A” and property tax “B”. While property tax “A” is levied on real estate and land for agricultural and forestry use, property tax “B” applies to other developed land and buildings. Thus, yield real estate and investment real estate fall into group “B”.

• Land tax “A” for land for agricultural and forestry use
• Real estate tax “B” for other developed and developable land plots

Calculation of property tax: important factors

There are several factors that influence the amount of property tax. These include the assessed value of the property, the individual levy rate, the state, as well as the type of property.

Here at a glance:

• Collection according to real estate value (assessed value), taxed property
• Municipality (individual assessment rate)
• State (old or new states)
• Type of real estate (house, duplex, apartment, other)

Let’s now take a closer look at this.

Unit value: value of the real estate

The standard value is the value of the real estate or the value of the property. Here is a short example calculation:

• Determined unit value: 100,000
• X Property tax rate: 0.35%
• X Municipal assessment rate (B): 470%.
• = Real estate tax rate

So, you need to know 1) the value of your property (assessed value), 2) the property tax rate for your property type, and 3) the municipal assessment rate (B).

Levy rate & property tax code: location and property type

The levy rate is an individually determined figure set by the city or municipality. It is multiplied by the assessed value of your property. The same applies to the property tax code. This depends on the federal state and the type of property.

You can find the exact property tax figures by state here: Property tax for real estate

For example, the property tax figure in Hamburg differs from the property tax figure in Berlin.

Example: Apartment for 100,000 euros

Let’s look at a quick example to finish:

• Determined unit value: 100,000
• Property tax rate: 0,35% = 350 Euro
• Municipal assessment rate (B): 470% = 1,645 euros
• = 1,645 Euro or in the quarter 411.25 Euro (basic tax rate)

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Difference: purchase price factor and rental yield

For the calculation of both results, the same factors are used. The annual rental income and the investment costs. The difference lies only in the preparation of the calculation and thus in the result.

Both give an indication of profitability.

Rental yield: result says…. Definition

Result for rental yield calculation:

Rental yield > How much surplus remains each month to cover repayments, interest and reserves for repairs or capital accumulation?

Purchase price factor: result tells… Definition

Result for purchase price factor calculation:

Purchase price factor > In how many years will the investment costs be paid off by the annual rental income?

Simplified, the formulas you’re about to learn look like this:

• X / Y = Z1
• Y / X = Z2

Z = Profitability

My recommendation for beginners: rental yield

As a real estate beginner, you’ll need ongoing income quickly because most of your equity is probably in your first property. For beginners, it therefore makes sense to compare properties on the basis of rental yields. This way, you immediately know what monthly surplus an individual property can generate (for you).

The purchase price factor is more interesting for longer-term investments (target: appreciation and 10, 20, 30 years; before that you pay monthly), where short-term cash flow is not important.

• Tip. Read more about the difference here, on my new project, specifically for real estate buyers! The subtleties between yield & investment real estate – external

Either way, both calculations aim to help them compare different property listings and do it quickly!

Rental yield: Example

Let’s look at both forms of profitability calculation again in detail, with examples.

Once again, briefly the definition: If you calculate the gross rental yield, the result tells you what surplus remains monthly and forms your cash flow. For the repayment and interest (financing of the bank), as well as reserves for maintenance, or everything that then remains for your own, additional asset accumulation.

Formula and comparison

Rental yield = annual net income / investment * 100

Purchase price is 100,000, annual rent 3,200. Calculation looks like this:

• 3,2 = 3.200 / 100.000 * 100
• Result: 3.2

Calculate rental yield: Offer comparison (example)

The result of this calculation is always a percentage. This tells you how much surplus remains to cover the costs (repayment, interest, reserves for maintenance) and ideally a further surplus remains for you as an investor in the property.

With the current interest rate situation, you can expect approx:

• 2 % redemption
• 2% interest
• 2 % Management and maintenance reserves

reckon. Accordingly, properties with a yield of over 6% are interesting for you as a buyer.

• Yield therefore 6% + X

Just like the purchase price factor, you compare different offers in a quick way, based on two factors, the purchase price and the achievable annual rent.

• Object A: Rental yield 6.8%
• Object B: Rental yield 5.3%
• Object C: Rental yield 7.5%
• Property D: Rental yield 4.2%
• …

Accordingly, you would choose to look more closely at Property C, with a 7.5% yield (+1.5% over target of 6%). So the tenant pays off your property and you would have additional monthly income. Also, property A, with still 6.8% yield.

For object B, with 5.3%, you could check later, with your own experience and even more knowledge, whether there are any optimization possibilities, e.g. rent increase, if no adjustments are made by the landlord for a long time.

Learn even more about the return on investment!

At Real Estate-Experience.com, I’ll show you even more about rental yield and ways to make quick valuations, including looking at property location. Learn all about the here:

• Rental yield

Purchase price factor: Example

Again, as a reminder, the definition: if you calculate the purchase price factor as a result, it tells them in how many years the rental income, the investment costs covered.

Calculate purchase price factor: Offer comparison

The purchase price factor is typically between 10 and 40, depending on the region and location of the property, condition and so on. In Berlin the value is between 30 and 38, in cities like Düsseldorf it is between 18 and 24.

Formula and comparison

Purchase price factor = investment / annual net income

Purchase price is 100,000, annual rent 3,200. Calculation looks like this:

• 31,25 = 100.000 / 3.200
• Result: 31.25, so ~ 31

Accordingly, your comparison of real estate listings will look something like this:

• Object A: Purchase price factor 18
• Object B: Purchase price factor 21
• Object C: Purchase price factor 19
• Object D: Purchase price factor 17

So property D is the most profitable, because the financing would be paid by the rent within 17 years. Property A would be paid off within 18 years, property C within 19 years and property B, would need 21 years to pay off the entire financing, through the rental income.

Therefore this tip for you!

Tip. Calculate annual rent

How can you actually calculate the possible annual rent? You are probably looking for your property on a real estate portal, such as ImmobilienScout24, Immonet or another provider. Simply change your search filter from buy to rent. You can already see what rental prices are being charged for comparable properties in the same area or, even better, neighbourhood (1 km radius search). From this, you can forecast the possible annual rent that can be achieved for your property.

Of course, independent of the rent optimization just mentioned, if the previous owner has not made any rent adjustments for a long time, in addition there are upgrading possibilities and expansion possibilities, depending on the type of property.

Conclusion: Purchase price factor and rental yield simply explained

I hope you have found here the simplest explanation there is for purchase price factor and rental yield! If you want to learn even more on the subject of buying a property, whether owner-occupation or investment, numerous articles, guides and checklists, all free and available 24 hours online, with us!

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In addition, for all beginners, still this tip:

• First property purchase