Elegant white bedroom featuring tall windows with sheer curtains, a crystal chandelier, and white bedding. The room includes antique wooden furniture, palm plants, and herringbone wooden flooring, all bathed in natural light creating an airy, sophisticated atmosphere.

Senior independent housing: Guide to accessible renovations, grants, and increasing property value

Senior independent housing is becoming increasingly important in light of demographic change. Whether you're a property owner preparing your own apartment for retirement or looking to future-proof an investment property – proper planning pays off. This guide shows you what senior housing entails, which structural requirements must be met, and how you can benefit from attractive funding opportunities.

Ultra-modern villa in Mallorca featuring clean white architecture, natural stone walls, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, infinity swimming pool with wooden sun loungers, covered outdoor dining area, and panoramic Mediterranean landscape views under blue sky

Real Estate Financing in Mallorca: Insider Tips from an Expert

In an interview with Luis Fernandez, financial expert and CEO of Engel & Völkers Finance Spain, we discussed the topic of real estate financing in Mallorca and gained exclusive insights into the world of real estate financing on the island.

Modern white house with large windows, surrounded by a lush green lawn and shrubs, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Bungalow: Guide to your dream property

A bungalow offers a unique living concept that is particularly attractive for people who value barrier-free and age-appropriate housing. These single-story properties combine comfort, functionality, and modern architecture on one level. Whether you're looking for a bungalow for sale or want to rent a bungalow – this comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about this future-proof type of home.

Contemporary luxury villa with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, infinity swimming pool, wooden deck terrace, outdoor lounge furniture, and panoramic ocean views with mature trees and cloudy sky backdrop

Buying a second home as capital investment

According to the German newspaper Die Welt, more and more properties serve as direct capital investment. Most German buyers purchase locally for this purpose. But buying a second property also has other benefits. Apart from it serving as a long-term capital investment, many middle income buyers also see a second home as an immediate source of income. Three out of four holiday home owners buy with the intent to let their second home temporarily or permanently.

Elegant French villa with cream stone facade and traditional shutters nestled among blooming purple lavender fields, mature plane trees, cypress trees, and golden sunset lighting in Provence countryside

Buying a house in France as a foreigner

Whether for a luxury escape, an eventual retirement destination or just a change of scene, buying a house in France is a dream for many. With plenty of cities to choose from, each with their own character, and swathes of beautiful countryside too, there’s the potential for everyone to find their niche in France. So what should you consider before relocating and buying a house in France?

Luxurious modern villa with palm trees, a large swimming pool, and open patio under a clear blue sky.

Vacation Homes Mexico: Your dream property under the Mexican sun

Mexico is increasingly becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for investors looking to acquire vacation homes Mexico as a second residence or profitable investment. With its cultural diversity, stunning beaches, and attractive real estate market, the country offers ideal conditions for purchasing property. This comprehensive guide informs you about everything you need to know about vacation homes for sale in Mexico.

A serene residential area with modern white apartment buildings, balconies with plants, a pedestrian-friendly walkway, bicycle racks, and green spaces, exemplifying community ownership and sustainable urban design.

The Fundamentals of Community Ownership

Community ownership forms the foundation for harmonious and regulated coexistence in multi-family houses or residential complexes. It comprises all flat owners and plays a crucial role in the management and maintenance of the communal property. But what legal principles apply to community ownership, and how is decision-making organised? In this article, we shed light on the most important aspects and demonstrate the responsibilities undertaken by property managers and the advisory board, as well as the potential advantages and disadvantages of community ownership.

Lush garden with a pond, surrounded by trees and shrubs, adjacent to a house with a patio. Outdoor furniture is set up under a large tree.

Notarisation and handover: what happens after the purchase price has been agreed

Have you found your dream property in the Elbe suburbs or the ideal buyer for your high-quality property in Hamburg HafenCity? In order to finalise the sale after the purchase price has been agreed, the property must be notarised by a notary. The appointed notary draws up a draft purchase agreement. The buyer and seller then sign this contract at the notary appointment. Once payment has been made, the notary releases the contract and the property is handed over. What sounds so simple actually harbours one or two bureaucratic hurdles. To help you sell your property in Hamburg smoothly, we provide you with further tips for the process. You can find other guides and information about property in Hamburg along the Elbe here:

Bright, airy room with white walls, wood floors, and a large window. A radiator sits below the window, topped with a potted green plant. Building exterior visible.

What are the heating systems of the future?

Whether it's a new building or the modernisation of an old building: Anyone planning an upgrade of their heating system should take a closer look at the heating systems of the future. Because while fossil fuel heating systems are usually cheap to buy, they will cost a lot of money to operate over the next few years. Natural gas and heating oil are dependent on the world market and at the same time are only available in limited quantities. This is why heating systems based on heating oil or natural gas are not future-proof. Fossil fuels are also subject to carbon tax, which makes them even more expensive. Modern heating systems using renewable energy sources such as solar or heat pumps protect the environment. Energy from the sun, the air, the earth or the water is available for free. This greatly reduces energy costs in the future. Energy-efficient heating systems make property owners more independent of energy suppliers and politics. Heating systems such as heat pumps, solar thermal energy or heating with biomass contribute to the transition of the heating sector as a significant part of the energy transition. But which heating system of the future is the right one for old or new buildings?

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Engel & Völkers Germany

Vancouverstraße 2a

20457 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 361310