Engel & VölkersEngel & Völkers

Seller

Person signing a business contract document on a wooden desk with a leather wallet and keys beside it, photographed from above

Brokerage contract for the sale of a house - Everything about the exclusive commission, content, right of cancellation

There are a number of good reasons why you should commission a real estate agent and conclude a real estate agent's contract in the process. The brokerage fee, the scope of services and other modalities are regulated in such a document. What exactly the brokerage contract contains, what types of brokerage contracts there are and whether you can revoke it are explained below.

  • 5 min read
Visit Brokerage contract for the sale of a house - Everything about the exclusive commission, content, right of cancellation
Bird's eye view of hands signing a document on a dark desk surface, with business accessories including glasses and a metallic cup visible in the frame

Transferring property as a gift: what you need to know

Many people decide to gift their property—such as a residence or a plot of land—to their relatives during their lifetime, rather than bequeathing it. But how does the gifting of a property work? What tax-free allowances apply to gift tax? And what costs are involved? We aim to answer these questions for you in detail here.

  • 3 min read
  • 30.01.2026
Visit Transferring property as a gift: what you need to know
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 is the best heating system to install when renovating an old building?

When renovating an old building, it is also important to consider the heating system. There is no clear-cut answer as to which new heating system is the best for an old building. The local and structural conditions have just as much influence on the choice of heating system as the costs and the legal regulations. While heating systems with storage tanks need plenty of space, solar thermal energy needs a sunny roof, preferably facing south, in order to achieve its full potential. Some homeowners want to save costs during renovation and therefore only replace the heating system as a single measure. If the insulation is not sufficient and there is no underfloor heating, a heat pump is not always the best choice. But it is precisely these heating systems that use renewable energies and are thus on the federal government's priority list. The subsidy programmes for the purchase of new heating systems are correspondingly generous. But when choosing a new heating system for an old building, there are other interesting alternatives.

  • 9 min read
Visit What is the best heating system to install when renovating an old building?
Hands signing a document in a bright real estate

House sale checklist: 30-point list for an overview

Keeping a house sale checklist often saves not only time but also nerves - because selling your own house is a time-consuming and extensive undertaking. Especially for owners with little experience, marketing the property can quickly become confusing. In order to make the process of selling your house efficient and seamless, we provide you with the following 30-point list, which outlines the most important issues. With our house sale checklist, you are well prepared for every marketing phase.

  • 4 min read
Visit House sale checklist: 30-point list for an overview
Hallway view through white doors to a light wood chair, woven basket, and black-framed window with gray curtains.

Private subletting - what is permissible and what is not?

You want to sublet your apartment? Whenever a contract is signed, the signatories should be aware of the applicable legal situation in order to avoid any subsequent disputes resulting from inadequate knowledge of the law. This also applies to subletting your own four walls. We would like to inform you about the most important legal principles by answering frequently asked questions.

  • 4 min read
  • 01.12.2021
Visit Private subletting - what is permissible and what is not?

Contact

Contact your personal advisor

Professional in a gray suit and white shirt smiling confidently while holding a smartphone, standing in front of classical white buildings with arched windows and elegant architectural details.
Professional woman in a beige business suit and white blouse walking confidently in an urban environment, with wind-swept hair and carrying a leather portfolio, against a blurred city background.

Engel & Völkers Germany

Vancouverstraße 2a

20457 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 361310