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The Engel & Völkers real estate lexicon

Engel & Völkers technical terms of the real estate world

Your real estate portfolio - how should it ideally be structured financially?

One of the clear Advantages of real estate as a capital investment compared to other investment opportunities, such as gold as an investment, is the possibility of lending through banks. It is important to note that the banks evaluate the personal income situation in addition to the property when financing the first property.

Yield and factor - how can you recognise a worthwhile investment?

The two main indicators for an investment in a residential and commercial building are the yield on the one hand and the factor on the other. To calculate the Return (gross yield), the annual net cold rent is divided by the purchase price. This guideline value provides an initial point of reference for sounding out the available properties on the market and comparing them with each other. However, it should be borne in mind that this figure does not include non-apportionable operating costs or maintenance and refurbishment costs.

Best ways to finance your home

Who wants to pay rent when financing a property is so cheap at the moment? The low construction interest rates make buying a house or a flat particularly attractive at the moment. However, there are many things to consider when financing - for example, interest rates are very likely to rise again in the next few years. That's why comparing different financial service providers can save you a lot of money, especially when it comes to real estate financing.

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.

What is the local comparable rent based on?

The local comparative rent is formed from the usual rents of the municipality (or a comparable municipality). The living space must be comparable in terms of type, size, equipment, quality and location. The period under consideration for the local comparable rent is four years. Increases due to increases in operating costs are not taken into account.

The graduated and index-linked rental agreement - what must be contractually fixed

What is a land register and what is a land register entry?

When buying a house, the land register entry offers optimal security, because it is almost like a biography of the house. The land register contains information on the origins, the owners and the Real estate financing. The land register entry is reliable and shows ownership of a property in a legally binding form.

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?

"Bestellerprinzip" - What you should bear in mind

The so-called "Bestellerprinzip". roughly translated as the "ordering party principle", is a familiar term in the real estate industry. But it also raises questions time and again, whether it's about buying a property or renting one. The fact is that since a legislative decision in May 2020, the "Bestellerprinzip" is no longer applicable to the purchase of real estate. However, it still exists in the area of residential brokerage for rent. To give you a comprehensive overview of the topic, we explain the most important questions about the "Bestellerprinzip" below. You can find out how you can benefit from the support of an estate agent here.

Retrofitting solar thermal energy in existing buildings

Retrofitting a solar thermal system can be environmentally friendly and also attractive from an economic point of view for property owners. Depending on the existing heating system and taking into account the local conditions, a solar thermal system actively supplements the heating or hot water supply. Due to rising energy costs, what has long been standard in new buildings also pays off when it comes to renovating old buildings. The state subsidises property owners with up to 35 per cent of the purchase price. Find out in our guide when it is feasible to retrofit a solar thermal system and what you need to consider before making the purchase.