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Acting correctly as real estate buyers and sellers in times of the interest rate turnaround

After years of low interest rate policy, virtually nationwide rising property prices and excess demand, the property market in Germany is experiencing a number of clear counter-trends for the first time. The European Central Bank has raised the key interest rate to 0.5% in July 2022 - in the practice of real estate financing, interest rate increases of around 180% have been recorded compared to the previous year. The associated effects are already being felt in the industry and are affecting the behaviour of owners and prospective buyers in various ways. In this article, real estate agent Engel & Völkers would like to provide you with an overview of the current situation and clarify which maxims you can use to make the right decisions even after the interest rate turnaround on the real estate market.

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What is a green building certification?

Achieving green building certification has created a buzz in the commercial property space over recent years. It says something about your company’s commitment to the future, the planet and the wellbeing of your employees or building users. So just what is a green building certification and how do you go about obtaining it?

Wide view of the Holstentor, a historic brick gate with twin towers, surrounded by green lawns and trees under a blue sky in Lübeck, Germany.

Standard land value Lübeck

The standard land value in Lübeck provides information on the average land price per square meter within certain standard land value zones. The expert committees in Schleswig-Holstein publish the current figures every other year. The standard land value for Lübeck allows property sellers as well as prospective buyers to get an first impression of the land values in the various locations of the Hanseatic city. But what exactly does the standard land value say? Is it helpful in determining property prices for sale in Lübeck?

A contemporary attic living room featuring a large beige sofa, wooden flooring, and built-in bookshelves. Sunlight streams through angled skylights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

How to make extra income from your attic, basement or garage

If you’re fortunate enough to have space in your home that you don’t require for your own personal use, there’s no need to let it sit there unused. Instead, you can capitalise on your extra space by putting it to work in several different ways, all of which can earn you some additional money.

Bright dining area featuring wooden bench seating, oak dining table, skylights, floor-to-ceiling garden windows, herringbone flooring, and built-in banquette seating with cushions, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection

What to consider when letting furnished apartments

To furnish or not to furnish? As a landlord, it’s one of the key questions. If you’re wondering whether or not you need to invest in some furniture for your property before you rent out, there are a few things you need to consider so you can make the right decision.

Aerial view of New York City's Central Park, showing the vast rectangular green space surrounded by Manhattan's towering skyscrapers. The park's lush trees and lawns contrast dramatically with the dense urban landscape, with high-rise buildings lining both sides and water bodies visible in the distance.

Engel & Völkers managing sale of incomparable apartment on New York’s Park Avenue in one of the world’s tallest residential buildings

This incomparable property has been designed by the world-renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto and is on the market for the first time. Located at the exclusive address 432 Park Avenue, the apartment occupies the entire 79th floor and boasts incredible 360-degree panoramic views of the Big Apple. “Besides its prime location, it is the distinctive interior that makes this property so special. The rooms are designed in traditional Japanese aesthetics and seem to float above the pulsating city below. Its furnishings and amenities make the apartment a refuge and sanctuary surrounded by the fast pace of life in this world city. It is a great honour and pleasure to be brokering such a one-of-a-kind residence,” says Stuart Siegel, Managing Director of the Engel & Völkers Market Center in New York City.

Industrial hallway with a black emergency exit door, green exit sign above, and red fire extinguisher mounted on the wall. White walls and industrial-style interior.

Rezoning: What about fire protection and parking?

Office instead of restaurant? Gastronomy instead of retail? When a change of tenant is imminent, owners of a commercial unit sometimes think about letting another industry move in. But then a change of use must be applied for. What should owners know about this?

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Calculating living space - the right way!

If you are looking for a new property or even want to sell your property yourself, you will often come across terms such as living space or floor area. But what exactly do these terms mean and what is the difference? In this article we would like to clarify the topic of living space and show you how it is calculated.

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Engel & Völkers Germany

Vancouverstraße 2a

20457 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 361310