Engel & Völkers
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Historical villa, comfortable existing house or modern new build? An overview to help you decide whether to buy

The property market in Germany for houses and villas contains a wealth of attractive offers - the choice includes a wide variety of architectural styles, locations and sizes. Without an estate agent to advise you, it is not always easy to keep track of all the options available - especially if you have not yet decided what the house you want to buy will actually look like and what features it will have. This article is intended to help you make the decision to buy based on our many years of in-depth real estate agent experience in Germany, so that you can soon move into your dream property. The focus of this article is primarily to consider the age of the property, which roughly divides the market into three categories.

Historic houses and villas in Germany: purchase option with special charm

Properties with a particularly long history of construction can still be found in large numbers in Germany. Art Nouveau villas, Victorian townhouses or properties from the early Modernist period still convey an impressive living feeling today and are not infrequently found in the best locations in Germany. Although numerous houses and villas from the period around the penultimate turn of the century were destroyed during the Second World War, the portfolio of real estate agent Engel & Völkers in Germany regularly includes interesting properties that are not infrequently listed. Many of these houses and villas have a lot of space, noble, nostalgic-looking materials and ornate decorations - but the condition of a historic property should always be checked by an expert surveyor before buying. You can only avoid major follow-up costs after the purchase if you are dealing with a recently renovated property. Basically, old houses and villas tend to be somewhat more susceptible to weathering and decay due to the building materials used, which is why ongoing maintenance should definitely be factored in when buying a historic villa or house. Your Engel & Völkers estate agents throughout Germany will be happy to advise you further.

Buying existing houses in Germany with Engel & Völkers real estate agents

Single-family houses, terraced houses and semi-detached houses in particular, which have been built in Germany since the 1950s, usually fulfil more rational living criteria than historical properties. The modern style is often simpler and more straightforward, the building structure is more functional than in the 19th century due to the changed understanding of living space. Of course, villas built in the last 70 years can also have opulent façades and furnishings, but the traditional charm of old buildings is not to be expected here. Such existing houses usually make up for this with better insulation, more modern building services and a higher standard of comfort, although a concrete assessment naturally depends on the property in question. A high-quality compilation of houses, terraced houses and semi-detached houses in Germany can be found here.

Newly built houses or villas: Maximum individuality and state-of-the-art equipment

The third alternative is to buy a newly built house or a villa with first-time occupancy. Here you can enjoy impeccable building fabric and advanced technology based on the latest standards in the industry. A high level of living comfort and relaxed living without having to worry about renovations in the near future are the result, which is also reflected in the price: Newly built houses or villas are often the more expensive option for the same property size and similar location. To avoid paying an unreasonably high purchase price, your Engel & Völkers real estate agent will compare all suitable properties for you and suggest the houses or villas that best suit your needs. If, on the other hand, you attach importance to complete self-development, you can also consider building a new house or villa and determine all the characteristics of the future building yourself, starting with the floor plan. You will also find the suitable plot of land you need to realise your new building at Engel & Völkers Germany.

Whether you are attracted by the historic old building, the comfortable detached house or a modern new building for sale: With Engel & Völkers you have found the real estate agent who will make your planned purchase project in Germany a success. Let our extensive selection of houses inspire you. If you would like us to assist you with the purchase of your new home in Germany, please feel free to contact us by e-mail or telephone so that we can arrange a personal consultation appointment near you.

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