Your house tells a story

This week was about heating, energy performance certificates, the solar obligation and solar PV systems. A lot of new information at once, right?

Today I’m answering your questions about energy and your home. As an engineer and certified expert for photovoltaics, this is my favourite topic.

Write your question in the comments. I’ll answer it personally.
Prefer to ask privately? Message me.

An inherited property often raises many questions. The first steps:

• Clarify the certificate of inheritance or will
• Coordinate with all co-heirs
• A neutral valuation as a common basis

For legal questions, a notary or lawyer is the right point of contact.

Have you ever inherited a property?
Do you need a neutral valuation? Message me.

In a separation, the shared house is often the most difficult issue. What helps:

• A neutral market value for both sides
• Settling the question: sell or buy out?
• Proceed discreetly and without pressure

Would you like confidential advice? Message me.

The ten-year holding period explained briefly:

• Owned for more than 10 years: the profit is generally tax-free.
• Owner-occupied (in the year of sale and the two years before): usually also tax-free.
• If in doubt: ask a tax adviser.

This is not tax advice. Please have your case reviewed by a tax adviser.

Would you like to plan the right time to sell? Message me.

An apartment building is valued differently from a detached house. Buyers and banks focus mainly on:

• The rental income: what does the building reliably earn each year?
• Condition and reserves: what will soon be due on the roof, heating and pipes?
• The tenancy agreements: rent level, term and development potential

As a certified expert, I value your apartment building transparently, so you enter negotiations with a robust figure.

Do you own an apartment building or a mixed-use building?
Would you like to know what it’s worth? Message me.

Being well prepared means a faster sale. These are some of the documents you need:

• Land register extract
• Energy performance certificate (EPC)
• Floor plans and living space calculation

Do you have everything to hand? Yes or no?
Would you like the complete checklist? Send me a message with the word “Checkliste”.

Honesty protects you:

• Disclose known defects openly
• Concealing them can become expensive later
• Put everything in writing

As a certified expert for building damage, I help to assess defects correctly.

Not sure what you need to disclose? Message me.

The first impression is made online. How to show your property at its best:

• Use daylight
• Tidy up and declutter
• Have professional photos taken

What’s the first thing you notice in listings?
Want your property shown in the best light? Message me.

Shop, office or practice: commercial units sell differently from homes. What matters:

• The lease: term and tenant are often more important than the floor area
• Location and accessibility: passing trade, parking, transport links
• The right buyers: targeting investors and owner-occupiers specifically

I know both sides and prepare your commercial unit so that buyers quickly understand what they are getting.

Shop, office or practice: what do you have?
Would you like to sell a commercial unit? Message me.

One point of contact from start to finish: from the valuation through the viewings to the notary appointment. As a real estate agent and DEKRA-certified expert, I accompany you personally.

What matters most to you when being supported?
Would you like to get to know me? Message me.

A private sale saves the commission. But mistakes often cost more:

• The wrong price
• A lot of time spent on enquiries and appointments
• Legal pitfalls

Have you ever sold privately? How did it go?
Thinking of selling privately? Message me.

What an estate agent actually does all day:

• Valuation and property brochure (exposé)
• Viewings and negotiation
• Support through to the notary

And what many don’t see: calls with banks, authorities and property management companies, obtaining documents, answering buyers’ questions, including evenings and weekends.

Would you like a look behind the scenes? Message me.

Transparent costs, clear services:

• Commission only on success
• For houses and apartments it is usually split between buyer and seller
• All services agreed in writing

Would you like to know the exact costs for your case? Message me.

Not everyone wants to sell. If you would like to let your apartment or house, I support you just as personally:

• The right rent: in line with the market, not too high and not given away
• Vetted tenants: credit check, documents, personal viewing
• A clean start: tenancy agreement and handover report

Are you already letting, or still considering it?
Looking for a suitable tenant? Message me.

Q&A time! What would you like to know about your property, selling or the Düsseldorf market?

Write your question in the comments. Today I’ll answer them all.
Prefer to talk in person? Message me.

This is how a house sale works, from valuation to key handover:

• Valuation and preparation
• Marketing and viewings
• Notary and key handover

Which step gives you the biggest headache?
Planning a sale? Message me.

I attend every viewing personally:

• Preparing the house well
• Answering buyers’ questions
• Honest feedback after every viewing

Would you like to hand over the viewings? Message me.

How to recognise serious buyers:

• A financing confirmation is available
• Specific, factual questions
• Binding agreements

I check creditworthiness before the notary appointment.

Would you like to sell safely? Message me.

The most important appointment in a sale:

• The purchase contract is read out and notarised
• The buyer receives a priority notice in the land register
• The purchase price is paid, followed by the key handover

Have you ever been to a notary? Nervous?
Would you like to sign well prepared? Message me.

Selling a rented apartment or a rented house? It’s possible, and often works well:

• Sale does not break a lease: the tenancy agreement simply passes to the buyer.
• Focus on investors: for them, yield and secure rental income count.
• Involve tenants: inform them in good time and plan viewings fairly.

Do you own a rented property?
Would you like to know what it’s worth as a let property? Message me.

From the first chapter to the big day, you have learned what really counts when selling. Now it’s your turn:

To round things off, I’m giving you a free initial assessment of your property.

Simply send me a message with the keyword “Bewertung”. I’ll get back to you personally.

And tell me: which chapter did you like best?