Real estate search 10 useful tips

Once you’ve decided to build a house, the first step to owning your own home is finding land, a task that poses a challenge to many builders. After all, your building land should not only have a good location, but also an appropriate price. Searching for a property can therefore take a long time, especially in urban areas. Free building land is now rare and the costs are correspondingly high. We at Rötzer want to give you a little help. With the following 10 tips for finding a property The dream of owning a home will soon be within reach.

10 tips for finding a property

From the nature of the construction site to the development plan to hidden costs, there are many things to consider when looking for a property. You can often save money if you take the time to compare different properties. And you should also look very carefully when visiting a property. We have collected 10 useful tips for finding a property:

1. Property Search: Where should you look?

The most important thing when looking for a property is patience. It’s worth doing thorough research. If you want to look for building land yourself, you can for example search in classified ads and on the Internet. If you like a property, it is usually possible to make a viewing appointment with the responsible broker or seller by telephone. Also take a walk around your favorite building area. Do you like the location? What do you think of the community as a whole? Can you imagine living there? You may also notice an empty parking lot while taking a walk. Although it is not yet offered, there is a possibility that it will be sold upon request.

You should also ask the relevant authorities. You can obtain information about vacant properties, for example, at the town hall or the citizen’s office. The district court can also help. Foreclosure auctions of building land often take place there, especially when a real estate loan for a land can no longer be repaid. The respective properties are often auctioned for much less than their value, so you can save additional money here.

2. Help in property search

Of course, you can also get support from third parties when searching for a property. However, brokerage fees often apply. However, this usually results in attractive building land. If you would like assistance in finding a property, you have the following options:

broker

The Classic The classic way to progress your property search is to involve a real estate agent. Either they already have interesting building land in their portfolio or they are looking for it for you. In this case, however, a broker commission is due, which may vary depending on where you live. The reason: There are no legal rules regarding the amount of the broker’s commission. As a result, brokers often rely on local prices. Precisely for this reason the rates can vary considerably.

Building community

Real estate prices are very high, especially in popular metropolitan areas such as Munich or Frankfurt. Can’t find an affordable property? Then you have the opportunity to join forces with others to form a community in the making. Because here you share all the costs incurred. This means that you share the purchased property or, for example, build an apartment building together.

Real estate developer

Prefabricated house providers often also offer building plots. This has the advantage that the developer knows exactly the properties and conditions of the land. Additionally, the property and home often come from a single source.

3. Alternative option: long-term lease

Have you ever heard of leasing? You don’t buy a property, you rent it, usually for around 99 years. During this period you will pay the so-called ground rent annually or quarterly. The lessors are usually foundations, municipalities or churches, but they can also be private. During the agreed period you can use the property normally. Things can get problematic when your lease expires. If the contract is not extended, you will lose your property along with your property. In this case the landlord will have to compensate you. If you are considering a lease, you should be aware of the possible risks.

We have summarized all the basic information about hereditary building law for you in our article “Inherited building law: Building your own property on someone else’s property”. Read it.

4. Consider living conditions

Buying building land is a lifelong decision. To ensure that you are satisfied with your property in the long term, you should be aware of your living conditions when looking for a property. Note all relevant points and compare them with the possible building land. For example, consider the following factors:

• Location of the property, e.g. B. urban or with a natural environment
• Proximity to work
• Distance from schools and nurseries
• Infrastructure and public transport (e.g. connection to the motorway)
• Shops and medical facilities
• Distance from noise sources such as airports or highways
• Future potential of the property regarding expansions and additions

5. Property size: How much space do you need?

When looking for a property the question of the right size of the property naturally arises. It depends on your personal wishes and needs: What kind of house should be built on the land? Or how many people are in your family? As a guide, we have researched some guidelines:

• Terraced houses – approx. 250 m2
• Single-family houses – approx. 450 m2
• Semi-detached house – approx. 350 m2

However, it should be noted that the square footage of the property does not correspond to the habitable surface area. Here you can read everything you need to know about calculating living space.

6. Check the development plan

Do you have a property on your shortlist? And do you already have precise ideas about your personal dream home? So before buying you should check whether you are allowed to build the house on the property in the same shape and color. Therefore, look carefully at the development plan because, among other things, it regulates the size, height or type of your house.

7. Controlling development costs

Check to what extent the property has already been developed. This means: are there connections for electricity and water? Then you can usually start building the house. If not, you will still have to pay development costs. Here you should find out exactly which costs the previous owner paid and which are still pending. There are many hidden costs when building a house. Here you will find an overview of all relevant additional construction costs.

8. Condition of the property – a prerequisite for smooth construction of the house

Very important for building a house without stress: when looking for a property, pay attention to the conditions of the land. Difficult soil conditions can cause significant problems during development. Even a property on a hill is not suitable for everyone. As a builder, you should definitely remember to get the necessary reports.

9. Inspect the property – preferably more often

If you like a building plot, sooner or later you will visit it. We recommend viewing the property several times. This way you can get an idea of ​​possible noise sources, lighting conditions or infrastructure at different times of the day.

10. Get professional help

Finding land is one of the most difficult and at the same time most important tasks when building a house. So let the professionals support you. We at Rötzer support you at all times! Don’t hesitate to contact us.

There is a lot to consider when building a house, not only when looking for land, but also when building afterwards. Another tip from us: make a list. Here you will find a house construction checklist with an overview of all important administrative procedures.