Living comfort and a prestigious effect

A villa means exclusive living comfort and a representative effect to the outside, a special challenge for real estate agents, or luxury agents. In addition, a villa is interesting as an investment property. The term villa originates from Roman times and means manor house. Today, not every villa is also a luxury object. Sometimes country houses located in urban centers are also called villas. In any case, villas are distinguished by their size, by a characteristic room layout, as well as by the land areas surrounding them.

In any case, there is a need for villas in today’s real estate market. Prices for these properties have risen sharply in recent years. The most sought-after villa locations are located in the catchment area of large cities.

Buy a villa? Our most exclusive properties

Our most exclusive properties you will actually not find online in our real estate portal. Celebrities, industrialists, sellers from business and media are looking for discretion and therefore rely on real estate experts with an internal circle of buyers and filtered communication channels. Are you looking for a villa in Germany, Europe or the USA? We have first class properties that you will not find anywhere.

• Off Market Properties
• Contact

Price development of luxury villas: Low interest rate phase

Since villas are highly sought after, especially as investment properties, and many investors are investing in real estate due to the period of economic recovery and low interest rate policy, the prices of these properties have also increased enormously. Over the long term, however, this price trend is by no means exceptional. Since 1975, real estate prices have risen only moderately. Towards the end of the last century, prices fell somewhat, but since the economic upswing they have been on the rise again.

Villa as a purchase object: Invest, instead of “only” live

In which real estate to invest? From an investor’s point of view, the villa has a special significance. It serves primarily as an investment object.

Secondarily follows the own use as a residential property and in many cases the new owner rents the villa. In vacation regions these objects are often rented out as vacation homes. This means that income can also be generated from the purchase of a villa. Indeed, the maintenance of these properties is also associated with high costs.

Checklist: Construction, extras and security

Basically, several components play a role in the purchase of a villa. These include, among others and very roughly simplified:

• Location of the property
• Property
• Living space
• Main house, if necessary adjoining houses
• Height of the rooms
• Furnishings and extras
• Security and accessibility

Location: the most expensive neighborhoods

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Many villas or country houses are located in the periphery. Whether in Berlin, such as Grunewald or in Los Angeles Beverly Hills. There, therefore, a high degree of mobility is necessary for residents. Some villa colonies, on the other hand, which are mainly found in large cities such as Paris are very centrally located.

The upscale residential environment, where most villas are located, is the decisive factor for a higher purchase price. However, the plot on which the property is located is also crucial. The property serves as an individual leisure oasis. It is private and therefore does not have to be shared with anyone.

Luxury you have to be able to afford

However, the disadvantage of this is the high cost of maintaining the garden area. Often, a separate gardener must be appointed. A villa is also characterized by its spacious room layout. These rooms can be adapted to individual needs. Here too, however, it must be remembered that the maintenance and cleaning of these rooms involves a lot of effort. Most villas are equipped with relatively high rooms. They convey a feeling of individual freedom. Their flood of light gives a feeling of well-being. However, the disadvantage of this is the high heating costs

Tip: If you come at this point already in the calculation, buy rather a number smaller! Here you can find my guide: Buy a house.

A villa is great for customizing. If several people occupy the property, so everyone has his own retreat there.

Villa as a rental property: Rent instead of buy?

If you want to buy a villa, you can consider renting out the property. This is an additional income opportunity that justifies the investment costs, at least in the medium term. However, there are tax issues to consider here.

Rental agreements offer tenants certain freedoms with regard to the interior design and the layout of the outdoor facilities. In the case of vacation villas, individual use is particularly interesting for vacationers. These villas are mainly located on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Also islands like Sylt or Helgoland offer villas as vacation domiciles. Many investors use the opportunity to buy a villa in such locations and rent it to tourists. When buying a villa, it should be noted that the investment must be planned very carefully due to its size.

• Reading tip: Renting from the apartment house

First, you should in any case assess whether an object offered for sale is really a luxury property or a villa. The prices for these properties are significantly higher than for normal objects. Whether it is a luxury property, describe the following criteria:

• The exclusive location
• A generous equipment
• The presence of special details

When is a villa a villa? Assessment

An exclusive location is particularly when the property is located in an upscale residential environment or in a special area. This includes islands, properties with sea views or properties in central locations in large cities.

Well-equipped villas also have their own pool area, a large terrace and a well-kept garden. Fitness rooms or a covered swimming pool can also be part of the luxury equipment. Special details are, for example, the provision of house staff or a gated community. This is a residential area with restricted access. However, this still has secondary importance in Germany.

Evaluation of the property: house or apartment building

• Valuing a house
• Valuate multifamily house

Costs: purchase price and incidental purchase costs

When selling a property, there are also costs that both the buyer and the seller have to pay.

Who pays which incidental purchase costs?

Explained in Quick:

1. Realtor – Under the new Real Estate Realtor Act, the cost of the broker is split 50/50 (buying from a private party); previously only buyers
2. Notary and land registry pays buyer
3. Property transfer tax pays buyer

This means that if you buy the property privately, under the new law – with reservations – the cost of the real estate agent would be divided in half. If, on the other hand, you buy through a company, such as a family office, the distribution is freely negotiable. In 98% of cases, however, the costs are borne by the buyer of the villa.

Checklist of ancillary costs: expert opinion to notary

These include, first and foremost:

• Value appraisal
• Energy certificate
• Broker’s commission
• Property transfer tax
• Speculative tax
• Notary and land register

The energy certificate, the real estate acquisition tax, the speculation tax and the notary fees are mandatory. The value appraisal and the broker commission are optional if these services are commissioned.

Individual cost factors

Most other items depend on the price of the property and vary individually. A speculation tax is incurred if the property is resold within a certain time after purchase. The tax authorities then access the profit made.

Notary fees and land register

The notary fees in Germany amount to 1.5% to 2% of the notarized sales price. In most cases, only the buyer of the property bears the notary costs.

Who bears the costs?

As a rule, the buyer.

Property transfer tax of the federal states

The real estate transfer tax is divided between buyer and seller and amounts to between 3 % and 6.5% of the notarized services for land and building, depending on the federal state.

Who bears the costs?

As a rule, the buyer.

Energy certificate and landlord info

The Energy certificate is prescribed at $ 300 for a simple certificate and $ 500 for a detailed certificate.

Who bears the costs?

As a rule, the seller.

Tip. Here we have collected for you various basics for renting. What else is important, besides the energy certificate?

Broker commission and cost allocation

The brokerage commission varies by state and ranges from 5.95% to 7.14% of the agreed sales price. The bearer of these costs is either the buyer or the seller, depending on the constellation. In some cases, these costs are also divided proportionately.

Tip. The commission amount is negotiable.

Who bears the costs?

As a rule, the buyer.

Buyer Tips: Owner occupancy / rental

1. Buy a house
2. Buy a multi-family house

Own use: buy a house

Buying luxury real estate – How many luxury properties are sold each year in Germany? There are less than 400.The market is extremely exclusive. Good contacts, a long-standing network, discreet offers and inquiries. Welcome to the world of luxury real estate. We show you how many square meters you get for your money. In New York, Berlin, Hamburg, Tokyo and Dubai. Buy and sell in the most expensive cities in the world.

• Buy a villa for the family

Build or buy?! Apartment houses

Your idea has manifested and your dream of a house is becoming a reality. You’ve already looked at a few properties, compared prices and budgeted for your home purchase. Before you enter into closer negotiations with sellers or reserve a property, you should plan your home financing and determine your terms. The more professionally you proceed and the more concretely you plan, the less complicated the house purchase will be, from the idea to the financing to the notarization to the conclusion of the contract. Then everything is ready for the renting from multifamily house.

• Build or buy?! Apartment houses

Alternative: buy exclusive condominium

The decision to buy a condominium (ETW) is made by most buyers for two reasons. The buyer wants to use the apartment to live in it himself. Other buyers are looking for a financial investment that will provide a good profit in the medium or long term.

• Buy an exclusive apartment

This is part of our larger guide on buying apartments. Back to Buying an Apartment USA.

The City of Angels – Buying an Apartment L.A.

Los Angeles, where dreams come true. The home of celebrities, hollywood, a sprawling cityscape, beach and surf, and everything else you can imagine. From Malibu to Bel Air, Silver Lake and Venice Beach. It’s worth the traffic and chaos of the metropolis, to experiennce the unique atmosphere of this city. So you want to live in Los Angeles, but don’t know where to start? It’s certainly not easy wrapping your head around where and how to live. Do you choose Mid City or and a retail paradise, or Silver Lake, and hang out with the young students? We give you the full run-down below. Some people buy a house in L.A., but no doubt, buying an apartment is a good decision.

Los Angeles Economy – Overview

Los Angeles has a massive economy, third largest in the world behind Tokyo and New York. Its strength is of course the creative sector. Hollywood is the world’s largest film production area, and countless stars and starlets have their villas and mansions in the city. This does not paint the full picture though. It is also home to a booming high-tech industry with a surge of startups heading to the seaside city. There is also a strong aerospace and transportation industry, as well as, perhaps unexpectedly, the nation’s largest international trade industry.

• GDP: 941,06 bil.
• Creative, high-tech & aerospace industries

If you’re looking to invest in real estate, it’s probably good to think about forming an LLC, an S corporation, or a limited partnership!

Los Angeles Drone – How Beautiful it can Be

Los Angeles has a ton to offer in visual pleasure. Sundown by the ocean, beaches, and skyscrapers. Take a look at Los Angeles drone footage:

Full L.A. Guide – Hot Neighbourhoods + More

Buy or Rent? Calculation Explained

Whether to buy or rent, you’re going to be paying a high price in L.A. Whether to buy or rent depends on the classic ‘break-even point’. How long you would have to pay rent in order to break even the amount which you would need to pay off a house. E.g. in Los Angeles, a median-priced home is around $630.000, and you may be paying rent around $2.000. That means, once you’ve lived in your residence for 6 years, you would have paid as much rent, to have been able to buy it. In short, whether to buy or rent depends on this: Assuming you live in a residence for at least five years, your rent needs to be lower than $2.600 in order to make renting more viable.

Also, in Los Angeles, it may be even better to buy than in other places, considering manageable property taxes in L.A. That means owning real estate is not a high recurring investment.

• Buy if your rent > $2.600

Is it a Good Time to Buy an Apartment in Los Angeles?

Maybe. At the moment, high vacancy rates mean low rent prices. That means it may be more beneficial to rent at the moment. Considering the growing market though, it may be clever to invest at the moment, where high vacancy rates may have more landlords selling their property at higher rates than usual, driving down prices. That means, when the market inevitably recovers, you’re likely to make profit quickly.

What state has the highest property tax rate? Ranking

• Property Tax Rates by State – List

Los Angeles Real Estate Market – Explanation

The Los Angeles real estate market, like so many of U.S.’ super cities, is doing well. For example, the year-over-year amount of sales of single-family homes increased by 23,2%. The median home price is at a strong $630.000, showing just how exclusive properties are here. Los Angeles is neither a sellers nor a buyers market. There are just as many real estate listings as there are sales. Combining this with the high increase shows the strong turnover, and ripe investment opportunities. Prices are also increasing, taking single-family residences, by over 16%.

Real Estate Price Development

Home prices in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles increase by about 13% annually, with the number of sales also increasing over the past year. The median price of an apartment is now $667.000. On top of this, rental prices have been steady in the past years, when looking at average rent.

• 2017: 2.281 $/m²
• 2018: 2.385 $/m²
• 2019: 2.516 $/m²
• 2020: 2.524 $/m²

What you have to know About L.A. Areas

Los Angeles is a massive city, spanning multiple counties. It’s near impossible to decide where to live. Generally, there are those that want to live in the famous residential areas of Bel-Air or Beverly Hills, there are also people who want the tumult of downtown LA, or younger people, and those looking for a more comfortable atmosphere will head to e.g. Silver Lake or Mid City. In general, for Los Angeles, it’s a good choice to rent, as opposed to buy. With purchases prices being comparatively high.

• Lowest rent: Jefferson Park $1.355
• Highest rent: North of Montana $4.690

How to Buy an Apartment

It’s of course a long and arduous process to buy an apartment, and takes a lot of time as well as financial investment. From beginning to end, there are irreplacable steps which, if you miss them, could be costly. If you’re not sure what real estate you should invest in, start here:

• Type of Real Estate – Which to Buy

Checklist – Things to do Before Buying

How to prepare for buying an apartment. Before buying real estate, you need to do these 5 things:

• Get knowledgeable about your finances
• Get together documents about your finances
• Speak to your possible mortgage broker
• Decide on the type of financing
• Find an attorney, real estate agent, and home inspector

When buying any property, you will need to pay a downpayment on your mortgage. In L.A., with comparatively high real estate prices, your downpayment should be at least 20% in order to avoid the likely very high mortgage interest rates.

Buying Apartment – Process from Negotiation to Close

To buy the apartment finally, you will want to start negotiating.

Make an Offer – How to Negotiate Sales Price

So you decide that this is your dream apartment. What now? Well now it’s time to make an offer. That means approaching the seller with an offer. There are two sides on which to negotiate, and you must pick one or the other. Either you try to reduce the size of the sale price. I.e. buying a property for $800.000 as opposed to $850.000. The other option is to negotiate the closing costs, e.g. agreeing on the sales price, but asking the seller to pay some of the additional costs, including real estate purchase taxes. These tactics of course mean either having more money in your bank account at that moment, or reducing the amount of montly costs in the future. You can typically expect to negotiate 5%-10% of the sale asking price.

Next Steps – Building Inspections

Your lender will most certainly require you to have an inspection of the apartment building, as well as the unit itself. This usually shows slight flaws, such as necessary maintenance in the future, or e.g. structural flaws.

Reducing Sales Price on Real Estate

Now you can renegotiate. You have found flaws in the building, and now have a strong negotiation stance. Let the seller know your concerns, and they will likely be more lenient in their negotiation.

There’s also a ton you can save on the many slight additional costs which come up when buying real estate, we give you the full guide

• All Additional Costs when Buying a Home

Final Important Step! Walk-through

Don’t forget the walk-through! This is one of the most frequent beginner mistakes. After moving out, things may change, the previous owner may have broken something, or a cabinet may have been covering up a flaw. Not doing a final walk-through can be your number one regret later on. It doesn’t take that long, and will most certainly be worth it, at least for the peace of mind.

What’s Different in Los Angeles?

There’s of course some caveats to buying an apartment in L.A. as opposed to elsewhere in the U.S. That means a few things to keep in the back of your mind when considering your purchase of an apartment. Of course, the normal process takes place, you buy a unit using a downpayment as part of your mortgage, pay closing costs, then taxes, and then move in.

Popular Types of Properties in L.A.

In L.A., there are a few different types of popular properties. The most popular being, as in most other suburban areas, single-family homes, duplexes, and condos. These are popular because they allow for a fairly private space, without the hassle of neighbours which are door-to-door with you. Note, duplexes (or even triplexes) are typically hard to own for the resident, as investors tend to buy these and rent them. Other types of property are townhomes, small lot homes (advantage: no homeowners’ association!), coops, much like the apartment market in New York, TICs (Tenancy in Common), and of course the infamous vacant lots, where you just buy a piece of empty land.

• Single-Family Home
• Duplex
• Condo
• Townhome
• Small-lot Home
• TICs
• Vacant Lots

Before – Buying Apartment Preparation & Planning

In L.A., it’s just as important, if not more important to get pre-approved. That means having your loan provider provde certification that you will be able to finance the mortgage on your home.

• Get Mortgage Pre-Approval!

Negotiation – Paying too Much on your House

In L.A., strong changes in price as a result of negotiation are rare. The vast majority of properties are sold at or around listing price. Meaning there is little to no negotiation, and when, this negotiation takes place in small degrees.

Taxes – Extra Real Estate Costs

Of course there’s different taxes in Los Angeles than elsewhere in the country. It’s important to be in the know about the unique taxes, from property taxes to transfer taxes in California if you’re looking to own property in Los Angeles.

Pretty much everyone pays too much in taxes. It’s especially easy to save on real estate taxes. Learn how:

• Saving on Real Estate Taxes – Easy How-to

Insurance – Expensive Additional Cost

Not to forget is that you will have to pay homeowners insurance. Los Angeles has a broad span in homeowners’ insurance amounts. In some parts you can pay as little as $837, with L.A.’s average amount being $1.116.

• $1.116/year homeowner’s insurance

Tips to Save Money – Lower your Homeowners Insurance!

These are the number one tips to reduce the amount you’ll have to spend on homeowners insurance.

• Install a safety system for your home that includes fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Convert your older house to comply with earthquake regulations
• Replace your roof with fireproof materials
• Inquire with your insurance agent if you qualify for discount programs
• Repair and replace wiring and plumbing to bring it into line with current building codes

Where to Live in L.A. – Best Neighborhoods

You’ve probably heard of Compton, Inglewood, Hollywood, and the like. You also probably have some preconception about how dangerous or safe it is here, whether you’d like to live here or not. We give you a full-researched list of the worst neighborhoods to live in Los Angeles.

Homes for the Ultra-Rich

Of course, some of the super-rich of the USA have ultra-luxury houses in L.A. Among them, superstars from all over, and pretty much every film star has at least one residence in Los Angeles. Below we have one of these ultra high-end properties, worth $50 mil. Of course, you’ll find it in the legendary Bel-Air neighborhood.

Worst Neighbourhoods in Los Angeles – Danger, Crime, Low Standard of Living

You’ve probably heard of Compton, Inglewood, Hollywood, and the like. You also probably have some preconception about how dangerous or safe it is here, whether you’d like to live here or not. We give you a full-researched list of the worst neighborhoods to live in Los Angeles. Best to keep in mind, L.A. is more dangerous roughly everywhere east of Broadway.

• Skid Row
• Fashion District
• South Central L.A.
• Compton
• Central City
• Jefferson Park

The Places to be in Los Angeles

There are a few neighborhoods you can’t miss. These are the classics like Hollywood or Bel Air. The top neighborhoods in Los Angeles to invest are the famous ones of course, but there’s a few ones to keep in mind if you’re looking to be in the place to be. Hip neighborhoods are plenty in L.A., like Culver City or Silver Lake. Some that you may have missed include Echo Park, Frogtown, and Tujunga.

Classics: Hollywood, Beverly Hills/Bel-Air, Downtown

Hip: Fairfax, El Segundo, Chinatown, Culver City

Outside Call: Echo Park, Frogtown, Tujunga

You want more info. Where to buy an apartment in Los Angeles? We tell you everything you need to know

• Best Neighborhoods to Buy – Los Angeles

Best School Districts Los Angeles

Thinking about moving to L.A.? These are the best school districts, taking into account quality of education, safety, and more.

• Hermosa Beach City Elementary
• Newhall
• South Pasadena Unified
• Palos Verdes Unified
• San Marino Unified
• Walnut Valley Unified
• LA Canada Unified
• Temple City Unified
• Manhattan Beach Unified
• Arcadia Unified

Should I Rent a Co-op Apartment?

Co-ops are probably more famous and more popular in New York than anywhere else. Still you’ll find them from time to time in Los Angeles.Co-ops are slightly more challenging to get, with a complicated and time-consuming process, but the time investment is worth the reward, with typically lower property taxes, the possibility to build equity, and more.

What is a Co-op Apartment? Real Estate Corporation

A co-op apartment is an apartment which is administrated by a housing cooperative. If you buy a co-op apartment, you are not actually buying the property, i.e. the four walls which you intend to live in. Rather, you are buying a share in a legal entity. The shares you buy entitle you to use a specific part of the building. Therefore, you are not the owner of real property, but rather a membership which allows you to use the apartment you live in. This also means of course that you do not take out a mortgage, but rather share loans, i.e. a loan to pay for the shares.

• You buy shares, not property

Why you Should choose a Co-op – Explanation

Because you are not the owner of the property itself, you do not have to pay property taxes. Rather the cooperative pays the property taxes for the whole building, and these are divided among the members, i.e. residents. The main advantage of a co-op is that it is cheaper. The property taxes which each resident pays are lower, and any additional fees are also lower, because the co-op is not intended to make profit. Lastly, residents in co-ops, despite not actually owning the property, are entitled to many tax deductions which real estate owners are entitled to.

• Cheaper

How to buy a Co-op Apartment in Los Angeles – Step-by-Step

There are a few steps to go through before buying into the cooperative. Before approaching a co-op, or identifying an apartment which you are interested in, you have to gather an attorney, a mortgage broker, and an engineer. Although this is not necessary, it greatly increases your chances of getting the apartment you want. This is because, once you’ve identified the apartment you want, you apply. Your application is decided upon by the board. This board obviously wants the best possible residents, therefore it’s important to present yourself as a serious buyer. All co-ops have a certain list of requirements, which include the amount of downpayment you need to pay, and how much financial reserves you have. Following this, you contact the seller, begin the title search and mortgage application, and close the purchase.

Buying an Apartment Los Angeles – Checklist

If you want to buy an apartment in L.A., these are the most important things to do and keep in mind.

1. Decide! Rent or buy?
2. Prepare! Visit the city, research the market
3. Lawyer Up! Find your attorney
4. Choose affordable! Sponsor units, coops, or up-and-coming neighborhoods

This is part of our larger guide on buying apartments. Back to Buying an Apartment USA.

Living the Dream in NY – Buying an Apartment

New York, the city of dreams. You too can live your dream of owning real estate, many people dream of buying an apartment or buying a house in New York, one of the top cities worldwide in everything from fashion to finance to art and food. Buying an apartment in New York certainly isn’t the easiest of tasks, but one that is likely to leave you happy you took the risk.

The Money’s Flowing? New York Economy Overview

In regards to economic developments, New York is seeing a surge. So in a city where money is everyhwere anyways, it’s flowing even more now. Currently it is the city with the second highest economy in the world, ahead of Los Angeles. In recent years, multiple top companies from digital sectors have moved headquarters or opened offices in the city. This means increased investments in multiple sectors, along with higher demand for rentals in the inner city, housing workers. The general real estate market has weakened over recent times, meaning the classic investments of earlier years like TriBeCa or Soho where high square meter prices dominate, are currently clever investments for buying as the market is likely to recover, and these parts are likely to gain back value.

• Economy likely to grow

The Beauty of the City – New York Drone

New York City is known worldwide for its massive skyscrapers and epitome of big-city atmosphere. Take a view at the Metropolis from above:

Buy or Rent? Calculation Explained

When deciding whether to buy or rent, of course the low property taxes suggest you should buy. But as always, it depends where you want to live, and how long. If you’re looking at the downtown core, like Manhattan, it’s near-impossible to buy, and rent is comparatively cheap. So here, you would be good to rent, and invest your money elsewhere.

Neighborhoods like Bushwick, or even Chelsea, give you better buying options. Buying in Bushwick carries the same financial load as renting for three and a half years. That means buying here is much better than renting. You’re likely to leave a few years later with a strong return on your investment, along with financial equity.

• Depends on which neighborhood

Why it’s Good to Buy in New York City

In New York, it’s especially advantageous to buy, because New York property taxes are quite low. Thanks to fairly high income taxes, the state does not require to set high property taxes, which allow homeowners to save money. These taxes are at 0.86% in New York City, much lower than in the vast majority of U.S. States.

Low property tax rate in New York City means owning is worth it!

What state has the highest property tax rate? Ranking

• Property Tax Rates by State – List

New York’s Real Estate Market – Explanation

So what do you have to know about buying real estate in New York?

Properties are becoming increasingly large. Accordingly, there is an increase in purchases of properties valued at more than $1 mil. In New York, real estate is all about location though. On average throughout all of New York City, one-bedroom apartments can be had for $2.810/month, or two-bedroom apartments at $3.576/month. In e.g. East Brooklyn, the average rent is at $1.250/month, demonstrating the large chasm in where you pay and how much you pay. This is quite different from when you buy an apartment in Los Angeles, where no matter what part of the city you go to, you’re going to be paying hefty sums.

• Apartment Median price: $916.000
• Price per square meter: $7.244/m²

Important Facts – Property Investment in New York

There are a few things the experts swear by. If you want to invest in rental properties or generally non-owner-occupied real estate, these are the things you should keep in mind when thinking about investing in New York real estate:

• How long do you want to own the property?
• How do sales compare with the rent you will likely take in
• Find the right neighborhood
• Should you buy a Multi-Family or a single unit?
• Get your attorney to look over the building
• Buy the most bedrooms per most square footage
• Keep an eye out for tax abatements

How to Buy an Apartment

It’s of course a long and arduous process to buy an apartment, and takes a lot of time as well as financial investment. From beginning to end, there are irreplacable steps which, if you miss them, could be costly. If you’re not sure what real estate you should invest in, start here:

• Type of Real Estate – Which to Buy

Checklist – Things to do Before Buying

How to prepare for buying an apartment. Before buying real estate, you need to do these 5 things:

• Get knowledgeable about your finances
• Get together documents about your finances
• Speak to your possible mortgage broker
• Decide on the type of financing
• Find an attorney, real estate agent, and home inspector

Buying Apartment – Process from Negotiation to Close

To buy the apartment finally, you will want to start negotiating.

Make an Offer – How to Negotiate Sales Price

So you decide that this is your dream apartment. What now? Well now it’s time to make an offer. That means approaching the seller with an offer. There are two sides on which to negotiate, and you must pick one or the other. Either you try to reduce the size of the sale price. I.e. buying a property for $800.000 as opposed to $850.000. The other option is to negotiate the closing costs, e.g. agreeing on the sales price, but asking the seller to pay some of the additional costs, including real estate purchase taxes. These tactics of course mean either having more money in your bank account at that moment, or reducing the amount of montly costs in the future. You can typically expect to negotiate 5%-10% of the sale asking price.

Next Steps – Building Inspections

Your lender will most certainly require you to have an inspection of the apartment building, as well as the unit itself. This usually shows slight flaws, such as necessary maintenance in the future, or e.g. structural flaws.

Reducing Sales Price on Real Estate

Now you can renegotiate. You have found flaws in the building, and now have a strong negotiation stance. Let the seller know your concerns, and they will likely be more lenient in their negotiation.

There’s also a ton you can save on the many slight additional costs which come up when buying real estate, we give you the full guide

• All Additional Costs when Buying a Home

Final Important Step! Walk-through

Don’t forget the walk-through! This is one of the most frequent beginner mistakes. After moving out, things may change, the previous owner may have broken something, or a cabinet may have been covering up a flaw. Not doing a final walk-through can be your number one regret later on. It doesn’t take that long, and will most certainly be worth it, at least for the peace of mind.

What’s Different in New York?

There’s of course some caveats to buying an apartment in New York as opposed to elsewhere in the U.S. That means a few things to keep in the back of your mind when considering your purchase of an apartment. Of course, the normal process takes place, you buy a unit using a downpayment as part of your mortgage, pay closing costs, and then taxes, and then move in.

Property taxes vary from county to county, if you’re investing in New York,

• Property Taxes NY Explained

Before – Buying Apartment Preparation & Planning

The people which are required to be at your side are of course the same all over the U.S., but in New York there is one specific requirement. When buying an apartment in New York you are required to have an attorney on hand. That means you need to get one sorted (preferably with real estate specialization) before even starting your search.

• Mandatory to have an attorney

Taxes – Extra Real Estate Costs

Of course there’s different taxes in New York than elsewhere in the country. New York is one of the states which, along with the real estate transfer tax, requires a mortgage tax. Like for example the mansion tax, which kicks in when buying a property worth more than $1.000.000, or the flip tax, which is actually not much of a tax because it is private. The property taxes, how much they are and how they’re calculated is of course also unique in the Big Apple.

Pretty much everyone pays too much in taxes. It’s especially easy to save on real estate taxes. Learn how:

• Saving on Real Estate Taxes – Easy How-to

Insurance – Expensive Additional Cost

Not to forget is that you will have to pay homeowners insurance. In New york this can run around $2.000 a year.

• $2.000/year homeowner’s insurance

Sponsor Units – Affordable Apartments Trick

Sponsor units are only available in New York. They are a special types of apartments. These typically exist in multi-residential buildings which the developer or co-op have mostly rented out or sold. Yet, often these developers or cooperatives keep a few units to themselves for private use. These are often later turned into rentals or sold on. The advantage, in co-ops, the new resident will not be required to have to submit a financial package. Sponsor units are also usually cheaper to buy than other type of units.

• Cheaper
• Easier to get
• Rare

Rent Control? Stabilization? NYC Real Estate Law

Is it even worth it to buy an apartment? New York has rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments. These differ from the typical apartments in that they have much lower rent. But, because they are extremely rare and nearly impossible to find, it’s better to focus on rent stabilized apartments.

Rent Stabilizing – Meaning & Definition

Rent-stabilized apartments are apartments who’s rent cannot increase heavily. The yearly increase is regulated by the government. This protects you as a tenant. It also makes you lucky to live in such an apartment. Meaning that if you are at the moment living in a rent-stabilized apartment, you are likely to be paying less than many others. Therefore, buying an apartment is perhaps at the moment not the best idea.

• Rent stabilized = government-controlled rent increase

Where to Live in NYC – Best Neighborhoods

There’s the five boroughs, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island. But within these, countless neighbourhoods, some world famous like Harlem, Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, Williamsburg, and the list goes on. So where should you move? Most everyone, we included will suggest you to get to know the city a bit first, research, and also just walk around the neighbourhoods and see which atmosphere fits you best.

Ultra-Luxury Penthouses & Lofts

Of course, some of the super-rich of the USA have ultra-luxury apartments in New York. Among them Superstars like Jay-Z & Beyonce and Justin Timberlake. One of the most impressive though has to be Jeff Bezos’ $80 million apartment in Manhattan.

Worst Neighbourhoods in NY – Danger, Crime, Low Standard of Living

The worst neighborhoods in New York are decided by how dangerous it is, how good they are to live in, and more. And if you think that you can make a clever deal by moving to one of these areas you are mistaken, as none of these neighborhoods are especially cheap.

• Woodlawn-Nordwood
• Hunts Point
• Brownsville
• Fordham
• Mott Haven
• Fordham
• Bedford Park
• Downtown

New York’s Hippest Neighborhoods – The Places to be in New York

There are a few neighborhoods you can’t miss. These are the classics like SoHo or TriBeCa. The top neighborhoods in New York City to invest are the famous ones of course. Think Greenwich Village or Williamsburg. The other famous ones, Astoria (Queens), Bushwick (Brooklyn), or Greenpoint (Brooklyn) are also safe bets, especially for younger or more culture-oriented movers. Some ones to keep an eye out for are Chelsea, where the nearby Hudson Yards project is driving down prices of top and up-and-coming real estate, or Bedford-Stuyvesant the prodigal son of hip New York neighborhoods, and lastly Park Slope, which will likely see a sharp increase in prices over the next years, meaning investment now is likely to pay off.

Classics: SoHo, TriBeCa, Greenwich Village, Midtwon

Hip: Astoria, Bushwick, Greenpoint

Future Stars: Chelsea, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Park Slope

You want more info. Where to buy an apartment in New York City? We tell you everything you need to know

• Best Neighborhoods to Buy – New York City

Best New York Neighbourhoods List

The best New York neighborhoods are difficult to pin down. Everyone has their own preferences, and their own needs. Making it impossible to say definitively what the best are. Below are what are considered some of the top New York neighborhoods.

1. TriBeCa
2. Gramercy
3. Battery Park City
4. Nolita
5. SoHo
6. Dumbo
7. Financial District
8. Murray Hill
9. NoHo
10. Kips Bay
11. Prospect Heights
12. Brooklyn Heights

Should I Rent a Co-op Apartment?

Co-ops are probably more famous and more popular in New York than anywhere else. Here, they make up almost half of all residences. Co-ops are slightly more challenging to get, with a complicated and time-consuming process, but the time investment is worth the reward, with typically lower property taxes, the possibility to build equity, and more.

What is a Co-op Apartment? Real Estate Corporation

A co-op apartment is an apartment which is administrated by a housing cooperative. If you buy a co-op apartment, you are not actually buying the property, i.e. the four walls which you intend to live in. Rather, you are buying a share in a legal entity. The shares you buy entitle you to use a specific part of the building. Therefore, you are not the owner of real property, but rather a membership which allows you to use the apartment you live in. This also means of course that you do not take out a mortgage, but rather share loans, i.e. a loan to pay for the shares.

• You buy shares, not property

Why you Should choose a Co-op – Explanation

Because you are not the owner of the property itself, you do not have to pay property taxes. Rather the cooperative pays the property taxes for the whole building, and these are divided among the members, i.e. residents. The main advantage of a co-op is that it is cheaper. The property taxes which each resident pays are lower, and any additional fees are also lower, because the co-op is not intended to make profit. Lastly, residents in co-ops, despite not actually owning the property, are entitled to many tax deductions which real estate owners are entitled to.

• Cheaper

How to buy a Co-op Apartment in New York – Step-by-Step

There are a few steps to go through before buying into the cooperative. Before approaching a co-op, or identifying an apartment which you are interested in, you have to gather an attorney, a mortgage broker, and an engineer. Although this is not necessary, it greatly increases your chances of getting the apartment you want. This is because, once you’ve identified the apartment you want, you apply. Your application is decided upon by the board. This board obviously wants the best possible residents, therefore it’s important to present yourself as a serious buyer. All co-ops have a certain list of requirements, which include the amount of downpayment you need to pay, and how much financial reserves you have. Following this, you contact the seller, begin the title search and mortgage application, and close the purchase.

Buying an Apartment NYC – Checklist

If you want to buy an apartment in New York, these are the most important things to do and keep in mind.

1. Decide! Rent or buy?
2. Prepare! Visit the city, research the market
3. Lawyer Up! Find your attorney
4. Choose affordable! Sponsor units, coops, or up-and-coming neighborhoods

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.

Grundwerbsteuer Explained: Purchase of Land or Property

As described in the introduction: Whenever a property or part of a property is purchased, land transfer tax is incurred in Germany. The tax is levied on the basis of the Land Transfer Tax Act (GrEStG). The amount of the real estate transfer tax is determined by the federal states. It is therefore a state tax. The respective federal state can therefore decide for itself whether it passes on the tax levied to its local authorities. But first we look at what a Grunderwerbsteuer really even is.

Are you looking at investing in German real estate? Don’t miss our article

• How to Save on Real Estate Taxes in Germany

Grunderwerbsteuer Meaning

Grunderwerbsteuer is a tax on the purchase of real estate. The translation of Grunderwerbsteuer is real estate transfer tax or land transfer tax. Note, in the USA, this concept has different meanings depending on the state (more on that in our article on Real Estate Transfer Tax in the US). How the Grunderwerbsteuer works is explained further below.

Who pays the Real Estate Transfer Tax?

After you have bought your property, the purchase must still be notarized. The purchase contract states who has to pay the land transfer tax: buyer or seller. Without this additional agreement, the law (§13 No. 2 GrEStG) states that first of all the previous owner and the purchaser are tax debtors, i.e. both together, buyer and seller.

After notarization, the notary sends the signed purchase contract to the responsible tax office, which then writes to the party to be charged with the real estate transfer tax assessment. The tax is due one month after notification of the tax assessment. However, the tax office may set a longer payment deadline if necessary (see Grunderwerbsteuergesetz (GrEStG) §15 Due date of the tax).

Grundwerbsteuergesetz (GrEStG): § 13 Tax debtor

Here is a short look at the legal text on real esate purchases according to §13 No. 2 GrEStG. This is our best attempt at a translation, these terms are as similar as possible to the original meaning.

Tax debtors are:

• By Default: the persons involved in a purchase transaction as contractual parties;
• In case of acquisition by operation of law: the previous owner and the acquirer;
• In the case of acquisition in expropriation proceedings: the acquirer;
• In the case of the highest bid in compulsory auction proceedings: the highest bidder;
• In the case of the merger of at least 95 per cent of the shares in a company in the hands of the acquirer: the acquirer;
• In case of acquisition by several companies or persons: these parties;
• In the event of a change in the membership of a partnership: the partnership;
• In the case of an economic interest of at least 95 per cent in a company: the legal entity which holds the economic interest.

Source: Federal Ministry of Justice (as of 09/2020).

Cost table: Tax According to Purchase Price

Status: 09/2020

Tax Rate by State: Amount

• Bavaria – 3,50%
• Berlin – 6,0%
• Bremen – 5.0%
• Hessen – 6.0%
• Lower Saxony – 5.0%
• Rhineland-Palatinate – 5.0%
• Saarland – 6.50% li>
• Saxony – 3,50%
• Saxony-Anhalt – 5.0%

Property Tax Compared to Trade Tax, Income Tax and Sales Tax

Real estate tax is levied on land, but also on hereditary building rights to land, the so-called substance tax. The assessment basis for the land tax is usually the value of the land plot. The tax rate is usually set at the municipal level.

This infographic below shows the tax revenue of German municipalities according to tax types (in billions of Euros). Please note that an English translation was not available. Blue denotes income tax, green is trade tax, purple is property tax, and orange is goods-and-services tax.

Purchase Price – 1.000.000 Euro

Below a graph for the amount of taxes you will pay based on what state you are buying the property in. The basis is a purchase price of 1 million Euro.

Purchase Price – 1.200.000 Euro

Below a graph for the amount of taxes you will pay based on what state you are buying the property in. The basis is a purchase price of 1.2 million euros.

Purchase Price – 1.500.000 Euro

Below a graph for the amount of taxes you will pay based on what state you are buying the property in. The basis is a purchase price of 1.5 million euros.

Purchase Price – 2.000.000 Euro

Below a graph for the amount of taxes you will pay based on what state you are buying the property in. The basis is a purchase price of 2 million euros.

Purchase Price – 2.500.000 Euro

Below a graph for the amount of taxes you will pay based on what state you are buying the property in. The basis is a purchase price of 2.5 million euros.

Purchase Price – 5.000.000 Euro

Below a graph for the amount of taxes you will pay based on what state you are buying the property in. The basis is a purchase price of 5 million euros.

Plots, apartments & house in Germany. Classical or exotic: Which property is suitable as an investment? The interview: Real estate as a capital investment. In our city analysis you will find clues as well (see below).

Tip from the real estate agent: You want a purchase price for comparison? Before you evaluate your real estate , use apps from real estate portals. Here you can simply track your location with GPS and the app will show you purchase prices and comparison offers in your area. The fast way to a first, rough evaluation of your property.

Price: Rent, buy, living

Renting, buying, living. Here you will find more information about the population, rental prices and purchase prices in the individual cities:

• Buy and rent: Berlin
• Buy and rent: Düsseldorf
• Buy and rent: Frankfurt
• Buy and rent: Cologne
• Buy and rent: Hamburg
• Buy and rent: Hanover
• Buy and rent: Munich
• Buy and rent: Stuttgart

Tax optimization: Procedure and Knowledge Build-Up

Topic Taxes. This brings us directly to the topic of optimizing taxes. Knowledge about finances and taxes is absolutely essential when buying your first property. Understanding taxes is important, because this is how you can convert taxes into private assets.

How does it Work? An Example for Real Estate Investors

In the case of real estate, for example, this involves lifting platforms for duplex parking spaces. So lifting platforms, where you get e.g. two cars on one parking space. They have a shorter depreciation period. Here, depreciation for wear and tear applies, distributed over the actual useful life, deductible according to the official lists of the Ministry of Finance. Exception expenses up to 800 Euro – without VAT – can be deducted immediately in the year of purchase.

You will of course no longer get such knowledge from your tax consultant. Why should he or she, if he or she knew about it, your tax advisor* would be a millionaire* himself.

Details

More details on optimizing your tax sheet for your real estate can be found in our article on the matter

• German Real Estate Taxes – Saving on your Property Investment

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!