Engel & VölkersEngel & Völkers

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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.

  • 3 min read
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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.

  • 6 min read
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Selling a property tax-free

Would you like to sell your property tax-free? Find out here whether and how this is possible.

  • 10 min read
  • 30.01.2026
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Open House: 8 tips for a complete success

In the age of online marketing, open house viewings seem almost antiquated, but before you completely abandon the concept, you should know that real estate consultants have good reason to stick to these group events. This classic approach is perfect for attracting new customers and - to the seller's delight - for starting a bidding competition.

  • 4 min read
  • 14.03.2019
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How to add value to your home with outdoor landscaping

When examining adding value to property, typical advice often focuses on kitchen renovations and loft conversions. While these interior-led techniques can certainly be effective, don’t neglect the importance of a home’s outdoor spaces. In sunny regions, a spacious terrace is an essential selling point. Here’s a closer look at how to add value to your home with outdoor spaces.

  • 4 min read
  • 01.02.2019
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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.

  • 3 min read
  • 09.05.2019
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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?

  • 4 min read
  • 27.11.2019
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The particularities of lease and leasehold agreements

Lease agreements generally provide for the transfer of leased property for a fixed or indefinite period of time. In this type of contract there is a user, the lessee, who pays a fee, in this case called "rent", to the lessor. The contractual relationship is similar in structure to a rental agreement. However, a rental agreement only allows the tenant to use the rented property, while a lease agreement also authorises the lessee to "extract the fruits of the land".

  • 5 min read
  • 19.02.2021
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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.

  • 3 min read
  • 12.11.2018
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When is a holiday home deemed a second residence?

A holiday home on the Baltic Sea or a weekend retreat in the countryside for own use are generally to be regarded as second residences. If, on the other hand, the holiday home is used exclusively for rental purposes, it is definitely not a second residence. In fact, an investment in holiday property can become a commercial property when certain income limits are reached. In both cases, the question of whether this constitutes a second residence is easy to answer. The situation is different if the property owners use their holiday home for themselves on weekends or during holidays and rent it out during the rest of the year.

  • 8 min read
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House viewing tips

The house viewing is certainly one of the most important phases when buying and selling a house. For prospective buyers, it provides the opportunity to get an accurate impression of the property, while giving the owner the opportunity to find the right buyer. It is therefore all the more important that this part of the property sale is carefully prepared and carried out. In the following we therefore explain the most important aspects of a house viewing and what buyers and sellers need to be aware of.

  • 6 min read
  • 07.08.2025
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Engel & Völkers Germany

Vancouverstraße 2a

20457 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 361310