Dream home sold: Example of successful Engel & Völkers marketing

The story

Finding the Perfect Home in 2017 Jens Marbach found his ideal home in Bochum-Stiepel in 2017. Nestled in a quiet street with a panoramic view of nature and Lake Kemnade, the single-family house in the south of the Ruhr region was just what he was looking for. After years of living in a city-center apartment, he longed for peace, privacy, and more space. "I was particularly taken by the spacious split-level concept across two floors," recalls the 49-year-old. The house’s hillside location, combined with a large plot and mature trees, promised many relaxing hours.

However, the house, built in the late 1970s, had seen little modernization over the decades. "There were still the original wooden ceilings, built-in wooden cabinets, and dreadful flooring – everything looked very dark," says Marbach. Though the house was in decent condition, it was far from the modern living standards of today. It was clear to him: before moving in, a comprehensive renovation was necessary. "Looking back at everything we did, I’d rather call it a complete gut renovation – not a single room was left untouched."

A High-Quality, Move-In Ready Property Pays Off

Not only did the outdated ceilings and cabinets have to go, but Marbach also completely renovated the bathrooms. The sauna area was transformed into a luxurious wellness oasis with a spacious walk-in shower. New and additional skylights flooded the upper floor with sunlight, and the roof was insulated. Countless large and small investments in comfort, sustainability, and aesthetics created a cohesive, modern home. Even the brown brick facade was lightened for a fresher look. "After all the renovations, the house was unrecognizable," says Marbach.

Despite the extensive work, Marbach decided to sell the property just five years later. His long-held dream of shifting his primary residence to Spain had taken shape. "I built a house in Spain, and owning two properties means added responsibility. At the same time, I found a penthouse in Bochum, which completely changed my perspective," he explains.

Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

But who would successfully market the property? For Marbach, success meant achieving at least the amount he had invested in the purchase and renovation – ideally with an increase in market value. "To reach this goal, I wanted to meet at least two or three different agents," he says. However, his first experience was discouraging.

"The market is currently tough, and buyer interest in Bochum is low," one agent told him. "It’s important for an agent to assess the market realistically, but this sounded extremely pessimistic." After this conversation, he felt uneasy, especially considering the rising interest rates. "Had I listed the house a year earlier, I would have been more relaxed," he admits. However, he reminded himself that he owned a high-quality, move-in-ready property.

With this in mind, he approached Engel & Völkers’ Bochum office: "Engel & Völkers is synonymous with luxury real estate. Plus, I had prior experience with them in Spain. One time was only moderately satisfying, but another time, everything worked out quickly and smoothly. So, I knew I had to at least contact the Bochum office."

The Power of Engel & Völkers’ Real Estate Experts in Bochum

From the first interaction, Marbach was impressed: "I immediately felt they had real drive." Managing Director Dr. Christian Kretzmann and a colleague promptly visited the property and explained the next steps. Engel & Völkers would prepare the house for marketing, determine a realistic market value, and invite him for a strategy discussion – all within a few days. "What also impressed me: during the photo shoot, the entire Engel & Völkers Bochum team was present, ensuring that every agent knew the property well."

However, one concern lingered: "When I checked Engel & Völkers Bochum’s website, I found very few listings of exclusive properties from the region. It made me wonder: how successful are they, really?" The answer soon became evident: "Engel & Völkers focuses on discreet marketing and has a high-quality database of prospective buyers. Not all properties are publicly listed on real estate platforms." Still, as an owner, "you don’t know how well-stocked this database really is."

Discreet Marketing Leads to a Quick and Successful Sale

The marketing strategy confirmed Engel & Völkers’ expertise: "We agreed to first offer the house exclusively to selected buyers at the asking price. That way, our cherished home wouldn’t be publicly displayed online." What happened next was "astonishing."

"It was Easter weekend, and on Easter Monday, Clara Kretzmann sent us the draft exposé for approval. That evening, she started making calls to interested buyers. By Friday, six viewing appointments were set up. And by Saturday morning, I had three offers on the table."

The offers matched Marbach’s expectations, and the house ultimately went to a couple from the neighborhood. "They had been searching for a home for a while, and as they later told me, they had secretly admired my house while jogging past it. In the end, it was meant to be," he says with a smile.

Finalizing financing, negotiating contracts, and completing notary appointments proceeded smoothly. The keys were handed over in September. Reflecting on the process, Marbach is entirely satisfied with Engel & Völkers’ service. "It couldn’t have been done better. Thanks to detailed reports, everything was transparent, and I always knew where we stood. I want to especially highlight Clara Kretzmann’s dedication. She was always available and a rock throughout the process. Even if challenges had arisen, I’m sure we would have found a great solution. I would work with Engel & Völkers Bochum again in a heartbeat."