Why the Human Element Remains Essential in Real Estate

People remain at the center

One of the key themes of the episode is the importance of personal relationships in the real estate business. Despite digitalization, AI, and increasingly efficient processes, one thing remains certain for Christian von Gottberg: real estate transactions are built on trust.

Especially in the residential sector, buying or selling a property is often a major life decision. People are not simply purchasing or selling an object — they are making decisions that affect their home, their family, and their future. That is why successful real estate consulting requires not only expertise, but also empathy, clear communication, and personal guidance.

Holiday properties: Emotion from the very first moment

The conversation becomes particularly interesting when Christian von Gottberg speaks about holiday homes. Unlike traditional property purchases, these are often what he describes as “optional purchases.” Clients do not necessarily need to buy — they consciously choose a location, a lifestyle, and a vision of leisure, retreat, or future living.

This makes it even more important to create excitement early on and make the unique character of a destination tangible. Whether at the Schlei, along the Baltic Sea coast, or in other northern German regions, holiday properties are strongly driven by emotion, atmosphere, and trust in the advisor.

City, countryside and new ways of living

The connection between Hamburg and northern Germany’s surrounding regions also plays an important role in the episode. Christian von Gottberg explains how modern lifestyles have changed: remote work, flexible working models, and the desire for more space have caused urban and rural living to merge more closely than ever before.

Today, many people are no longer looking exclusively for either city life or countryside tranquility. Instead, new hybrid lifestyles are emerging: working in the city, living in greener surroundings, spending weekends by the coast, or creating a second home in northern Germany.

Engel & Völkers as a network

Another aspect repeatedly highlighted throughout the conversation is the strength of the Engel & Völkers network. The brand connects different markets, locations, and areas of expertise — from residential and commercial real estate to holiday homes.

For clients, this means that real estate consulting rarely ends with a single transaction. Someone selling a property in Hamburg today may tomorrow be looking for a holiday home on the Baltic coast, an investment property, or even a complete change of location. This is where the strength of a well-established network with local expertise and international connections becomes especially valuable.

Experience, personality and a vision for the future

The podcast episode clearly shows that real estate consulting is evolving. Processes are becoming more digital, markets more dynamic, and customer expectations increasingly complex. Yet the core remains the same: people work with people.

Christian von Gottberg summarizes it perfectly throughout the episode: tools, systems, and AI can support the process — but trust, personality, and genuine consulting remain irreplaceable.

An episode full of experience, personal insights, and authentic Engel & Völkers DNA.

Watch now: OPEN HOUSE – The Engel & Völkers Podcast (German) featuring Christian von Gottberg and Alexander Lampert.