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Building on someone else's land: 7 frequently asked questions about hereditary building rights

Are you planning to build a property? Then building on someone else's land is an option available to you as a builder. Ownership, finances and rights of use are regulated by the so-called heritable building right. In this article, we answer 7 questions on the subject that you may frequently encounter.

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House sale documents: These are the documents you need

If you want to sell your house successfully, you need documents on all the important features of your property. Obtaining these documents is certainly one of the biggest challenges for owners. Countless documents are related to a building, but by no means all of them are necessary to successfully sell a property. On the other hand, the absence of certain documents, such as the energy certificate, is punishable by severe fines. In addition, many owners do not know for sure how and from which authorities they can obtain the necessary documents. In the following, we therefore present the most important documents for selling a house and show you how our real estate agents can help you obtain them.

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Selling a house on an annuity basis

The annuity-based house sale is an alternative to the traditional house sale, which usually ends with the buyer paying the seller the negotiated sum for the property and being registered as the new owner in the land register. With an annuity-based sale, on the other hand, the sale price is not paid in one go, but in instalments. The advantages and disadvantages of this type of property sale are explained below.

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Property valuation: These factors determine the price of your property

Determining the price of a property is one of the most important steps in selling or part-selling a house - and one of the most complex. Objective criteria such as location, condition or type of property are often at odds with the subjective assessment of the property owner, for whom emotional value also plays a decisive role. To help you understand the market value of your property, we explain below important factors that can influence the value of your home.

Elegant living room featuring herringbone parquet flooring, high ceilings with ornate moldings, a crystal chandelier, tall windows with sheer curtains, a grey sofa, mid-century modern furniture, and tropical plants adding natural elements to the space

Sustainability & ESG in Real Estate: What You need to know

With rising energy costs, stricter climate regulations, and growing awareness among buyers and investors, sustainability in real estate has taken center stage. The term ESG—short for Environmental, Social, and Governance—has become a key factor influencing decisions in property development, investments, and transactions. Whether you’re a private homeowner, a large-scale developer, or a potential buyer, adopting eco-friendly measures and meeting ESG criteria for properties can significantly increase a building’s value while reducing its environmental impact.

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Speculation period: You should pay attention to this when selling your property

Houses, flats and other properties in Munich have risen sharply in value in recent years: The great popularity of the Bavarian capital, the rising population and the resulting surplus demand have created a seller's market that provides comfortable starting conditions for owners. In order to utilise these as effectively as possible and achieve the maximum return when selling a property in Munich, the potential obligation to pay speculation tax should always be kept in mind. This article by real estate agent Engel & Völkers Munich sheds light on the cases in which speculation tax must be paid, the role played by the speculation period and why a sale can be particularly worthwhile for you after this period has expired.

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What can be done with a property in the event of a divorce

Living happily together in your own four walls is part of the ideal of a life together as spouses. This is why buying or building a home of one's own as an investment with a stable value becomes part of the joint wealth accumulation for many couples.

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Engel & Völkers brokers “Bonanza Ranch” for 38 million US dollars

Four cowboys gallop on their horses through the untouched landscape, the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe visible in the background. This is the opening scene of the legendary western series “Bonanza”.Engel & Völkers Lake Tahoe has now brokered the ranch with a 125,000 square metre land plot on which this iconic television scene was shot. Between 1959 and 1973, “Bonanza” became one of television’s most popular series and continues to be broadcast in syndication around the globe.

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Tips for renting out residential space commercially

Renting out an apartment as an office sounds very tempting to many owners. Although the demand for traditional commercial space is undiminished, around 50 percent of the working population spend at least two and a half days a week outside the office. That's why they need an additional workspace. It doesn't matter whether you follow their example by setting up your own home office or whether you want to benefit from this market trend as a landlord: Using your home for commercial purposes is definitely a smart decision.

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Lofty ambitions for your home: the value of attic conversions

What if there were thousands of pounds just waiting for you in your loft? Attic conversions are considered among the top ways to increase your home's selling power by real estate agents, adding up to 20% to the value. Whether you've got a penthouse suite, a games room or cosy library in mind, transforming your loft can add space to your property and increase your return on investment.

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Dream home sold: Example of successful Engel & Völkers marketing

A dream home spanning 240 square meters, with a paradisiacal garden overlooking the southern part of Bochum – no doubt, Jens Marbach’s former residence exudes style. Despite his experience in real estate transactions, the entrepreneur was concerned about the challenging market conditions: "Will I really be able to sell my house at a fair price?" With the support of the real estate experts at Engel & Völkers, the sale turned into a success story.

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Engel & Völkers Germany

Vancouverstraße 2a

20457 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 361310