First and foremost for people from other countries, there are no restrictions on a foreigner’s ability to own real estate in Germany. Citizens of other countries are permitted to buy German property without worrying about its location, size or type. As a matter of fact, the population of Germany is very diverse and includes many Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, British and Americans, and it’s almost a certainty that many of them own real estate in Germany.
Price Ranges
Like any other country, prices for German real estate vary according to the type and location of the property. As a general rule, however, real estate located in the former West Germany costs more than property within the former East Germany.
Prices for terrace homes in Germany begin at around $115,000. Detached homes range from about $200,000 to $875,000 and more. Apartments in the cities are very popular in Germany, and they sell for high prices. They may cost well over $400,000, especially if they are located in Munich.
Location
As mentioned above, city apartments are extremely popular in this country. As a matter of fact, more than half of Germany’s population lives in rented apartments. Housing shortages in some of the country’s cities and suburbs make apartments there even more desirable.
Three-quarters of all German homes are fairly new, having been constructed after the end of World War II. It is still possible, however, to locate many lovely traditional or older homes in rural parts of Germany. The Rhine and Mosel valleys are popular with people searching for real estate that offers a rural lifestyle. Many of the properties located in the former East Germany require some renovation and modernization as they are a bit run down.
Cost of Living and Standard of Living
Germany has an overall very high standard of living and fairly low inflation rates. Its cost of living is a little higher than some other European Union countries, but it is about the same as the cost of living in France or the United Kingdom.
The Buying Process
Buying a piece of real estate in Germany will require the services of an attorney or notary in order to complete the legal work and check for any liabilities that may be recorded against the property. After the purchase is completed the title to the property transfers to the new owner, and the deed to the property will be registered at the local land registry office. You should anticipate paying fees totaling around six to seven percent of the real estate’s purchase price. The fees include the buyer’s portion of the real estate agent’s commission, the real estate transfer tax and the notary’s charge.
Taxes
Property tax in Germany is assessed to pay for local services. It is based on a small percentage of the property’s assessed value, which typically is less than its current market value. Non-residents who own real estate in Germany are subject to a wealth tax of about 0.5% of the property’s value. Capital gains tax on a sale of real estate is levied at the normal income tax rates when the property is sold within ten years of being purchased.
Mortgages
Banks in Germany normally will lend up to 70 percent of a property’s value so you should expect that a down payment of at least 30 percent will be required. Mortgages with fixed interest rates typically have terms of up to 30 years.
Watch sample real estate clips by TopSeekInc: Straubing Immobilien and Straubing Immobilien Niederbayern
