SLIDESHOW_B_2022_DE.jpg
Slideshow_Alle_kostenloserDownload_DE_650_1180px_DE.jpg
SLIDESHOW_M_2023_DE.jpg
SLIDESHOW_F_2022_DE.jpg
PlayPause
previous arrow
next arrow

Buying instead of renting in Berlin

Are you one of those people who dream of not having to pay rent any more and instead investing the money in your own property? As a newcomer to Berlin, you may be in luck because here it’s still relatively affordable to finance a dream apartment. While in Munich, property prices have exploded to more than € 10,000 per sq m, prices in Berlin start at about € 4,200 per sq m.

Here we list some prominent new construction projects.

An advantage is that when you buy a property directly from the developer, you can often save yourself the 3.57 percent Berlin brokerage commission.

And the financing? The more equity the better! As a minimum, you should be able to cover the so-called sundry purchase costs of 7.5 percent (the rate for Berlin real estate), plus, if necessary, 3.57 percent for the broker. The remaining amount must be financed with a loan. You can choose a bank yourself or hire an independent financial advisor who knows the German financial landscape with its over 400 banks. The advisor can create with you a tailor-made plan for your loan. This includes, for example, the choice of the repayment amount, fixed interest period or special repayment options. If you have never heard of these terms, then it’s high time for a financial advice!

Mortgage checklist for Berlin

1. household costs
The bank checks that the finance can be paid back taking into account living, ancillary and other costs. For the costs, the banks usually work with flat rates. Regardless of the bank’s check, you should also determine for yourself what you can afford.

2. Own capital
A contribution from your own capital and other assets (life insurance, other real estate, etc.) and grants can significantly improve financing terms.

3. Extra costs
In addition to the purchase price, there are other costs, such as 1.5% notary fees and in Berlin a 6% land transfer tax. If a broker is also involved, there will be brokerage fees of up to 3.57 percent.

4. Your budget
Everything covered? It’s time to calculate your budget. Your capital must cover at least the purchase costs. If you still have capital, you can use it to reduce interest rates on your overall loan. The better the ratio of loan amount to the purchase price, the cheaper the interest. You can estimate your maximum possible loan as follows: (desired monthly rate x 12) / (interest rate + repayment rate).

budget calculation example: 

Own capital: 50 000 €
Desired monthly rate for interest and repayment: 1 500 €

Assumption:

- Interest rate: 2,5 %
- Repayment rate: 2 %

- Sundry costs: 11,07 %

From that follows...

Max. loan
1 500 € x 12 / (2 % + 2,5 %)
= 400 000 €

Max. purchase price
(50 000 € + 400 000 €) / 1,1107 
= 405 150 €

5. Getting finance  
Germany’s high number of banks – some 400 in all – works in favor of customers. Besides the actual loan amount many other things are relevant when you create a finance plan. These can quickly add up to several thousand euros plus or minus. Independent financial advisers will create an individual financing plan and compare the conditions offered by the many banks.

Berlin’s new housing developments

Adlershof  
One of the capital’s most exciting new residential quarters is under development at Berlin Adlershof “City of Science,” one of Europe’s leading technology parks. Some 1,600 rental and condominium apartments, townhouses and around 400 student apartments are being built. More new buildings are under construction nearby or are in the planning stage.
›› Completion: still pending
›› Adlershof, north of Rudower Chaussee,between Groß-Berliner Damm & Karl-Ziegler-Straße
›› www.adlershof.de

Europacity  
A densely populated inner-city quarter with around 3,000 new rental and owner-occupied apartments, office and commercial space, three daycare centers and a primary school has been under construction on the 40-hectare site since 2015.
›› Completion: planned 2024
›› Mitte/Moabit, north of Berlin central train station
›› www.europacity-berlin.de

Parkstadt Karlshorst   
A new district is due to be built in the coming years on the site of a 12-hectare industrial wasteland at Blockdammweg. It will have about 1,000 rental and owner-occupied apartments, a large daycare center, a three-stream primary school, a local shopping mall and 18,000 sq m of green and play areas.
›› Completion: noch offen 
›› Lichtenberg, Blockdammweg

ÜBerlin Tower   
After decades of lying empty, the former office and administration building known as Steglitzer Kreisel is now receiving a complete makeover with an extensive general renovation. It is being converted into a residential tower with 330 condos.
›› Completion: 2024 
›› „Steglitzer Kreisel“ am südlichen Ende der/at the southern end of Schloßstraße

Upside Berlin  
This new 86-meter high building with 179 owner-occupied apartments towers over the district. It offers a great view of the Berlin skyline and the Spree river.
›› Completion: End of 2022
›› Friedrichshain, Mühlenstr. 31/Mariane-von-Rantzau-Str. 2
›› www.upside.berlin

Waterkant Berlin  
In 2018, the go-ahead was given for the construction in Spandau of 2,500 rental apartments in the new Waterkant district next to the Havel river, with shops, cafes and restaurants, playgrounds, a daycare center and leisure facilities.
›› Completion: 2025
›› Spandau, north of Spandauer Altstadt, east & west of Spandauer Havel
›› www.waterkant-berlin.de  

Where to get good advice – financial service provider for your property financing in Berlin

Baufi24  
Independent company that compares offers from more than 450 banks to enable faster loan approvals with less red tape. Also supports property searches as well as house and apartment valuations.
›› Beratung: Tel. 0 800 808-4000, www.baufi24.de

Dr. Klein  
One of Germany’s largest financial service providers for construction, insurance and installment credit for over 60 years with consultants at 200 locations.
›› 23558 Lübeck, Hansestr. 14, Beratung/advice line: 0 800/88 33 880, www.drklein.de

Interhyp  
Mortgage lending specialists with consultants at over100 locations. Winner of many awards, publishes lots of specialist articles on financing.
›› Beratung/advice line: 0 800/-200 15 15 15, www.interhyp.de

LoanLink24  
Independent, English-speaking financial consultants based in Berlin. Specializes in advice for non-Germans on real estate purchases in Germany. Also arranges loans from over 400 partner banks. The web page has a free real estate calculator.
›› Prenzlauer Berg, Schönhauser Allee 149, Beratung/advice line: 030/56 83-75 35, www.loanlink24.com

MLP  
Independent consultants for all finance issues from finance and insurance to retirement planning and wealth management. 100 consultants in 90 locations.
›› 69168 Wiesloch, Alte Heerstr. 40, Tel. 06 222/-308 6000, www.mlp.de

 

New in Berlin?

Download eBook here for free!

cover muenchen

Available as print issue & eBook
›› To the shop!
 

Latest articles