Berlin (dpa/tmn) – “For most people, their own house is the biggest investment in their life,” says Alrun Jappe, editor of the magazine “Finanztest”. Reason enough to plan such purchases well. These are the most important steps for buying an existing property.
1. Narrow down the property type
“First you have to think about it: What do I really want?” says Alexander Wiech from the owners’ association Haus & Grund Deutschland. “As a customer, I should at least have a rough strategy and not just think about my current needs. ” It is important to consider what expectations the house should fulfill in 10 to 20 years.
So for example: How many people should be in the house to begin with stayare there plans to have children Should the parents move in later? Or also: Where should the house be located, in the city or in a rural area? Should a garden be included and if so, what size? Do I need a basement or not?
The point is also important: How must the existing building be renovated? If necessary, can I do something myself or do I have to hire a craftsman? Depending on the purchase price, additional renovation costs may be added to the purchase price.
2. Crash a cash register
If you are thinking about how much your house can cost in the end, you should remember that the purchase price also includes additional costs. “For example, real estate transfer tax, which in some federal states can amount to 6.5 percent of the purchase price,” says Wiech. “Notary and land registration costs are around 3 percent. A broker also charges between 3 and 7 percent of the purchase price. “
At least they can put the full amount on the table right away so they should consider: How much equity do I already have and what type of loan do I need to take out out? According to Wiech, 20 percent of the purchase price should already be available in equity.
For a loan, the question then arises as to what the maximum monthly repayments could be. “You can accept it to a certain extent about the net rent you are currently paying,” says Alrun Jappe. Plus, what you’ve been able to save each month so far. However, the operating costs incurred by a buyer with the house must be deducted. This can be calculated individually using the home financing calculator from Stiftung Warentest on test.de.
“It’s better to plan a little less than too much,” advises Alexander Wiech in general. For example, a working couple should plan for the possibility that one of their two salaries may be lost for a certain period of time.
3. Find the right property
“The supply situation has improved a bit again,” said real estate expert Jappe. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use all sources and channels to find a suitable apartment or house. These can be real estate portals, advertisements or social media posts. Being on site is an advantage. If you live further afield, a real estate agent may be advisable.
“Ask your friends and acquaintances if they have heard anything, drive through residential areas and look for signs,” said Alexander Wiech. “Also, once you’ve found something, find out what the environment is like, what the neighborhood is like, have a conversation. “
4. See and negotiate
If a house in particular is an option, both Haus & Grund and Stiftung Warentest recommend hiring a construction expert to inspect it. “Many houses have hidden defects that a speaker can’t see,” says Alrun Jappe.
Reconciliation can certainly be valuable, not only if there are flaws you are willing to accept. “Say openly that you are interested and what your budget allows, ask what is possible,” Alexander Wiech encourages.
5. Get a loan offer
“Very important: get at least three offers,” said Alrun Jappe. However, you should set your own framework in advance: How much equity is there, how high can the loan amount be and how long should the fixed interest rate be? .
“We always recommend using at least one credit broker,” says the editor of Finanztest. “They have access to offers from many banks and can choose the best offer for their own loan needs.” She recommends larger firms rather than private financial advisers. Many large banks now also offer loans from multiple providers.
What doesn’t make it easy is that the offers are updated daily and interest rates often change from day to day. Expert tip: As soon as the financing concept is in place and a specific property has been found, get three offers and then decide quickly.
6. Confirm the purchase with the notary
It will not work without a notary. “The purchase of property has to be marked in Germany,” explained Alexander Wiech. “The person then makes sure that everything runs smoothly.” This includes, for example, the land registry.
In this process, the seller has more work to do than the home buyer because they have to collect all the necessary documents. Basically the buyer has to present his ID and confirm financing.
7. Take over the house
Handing over the keys is the final step in buying a house. “You look at everything again and you should also create a treatment protocol in which everything is listed,” says Alexander Wiech. “If you still notice any defects, you should take pictures and note who is responsible for eliminating them.”
For example, if the house was previously seen with only furniture, some defects may only appear now. If, in the best case scenario, the house is free from defects or damage, this will also be recorded in the protocol. It is also advisable to register the transfer of documents.
2024-10-16 22:12:00
#Experimental #series #property #steps
