L&B Immobiliya
Blog
Insights on property in Berlin and across Germany
31 August 2026
Commercial and Special-Use Properties as an Investment: What Sets Hotels, Guesthouses and Mixed-Use Buildings Apart
Moving from apartments to hotels, guesthouses or mixed-use buildings means entering a different playing field. We explain what really matters for valuation, leases and financing.
Read more →24 August 2026
Buying Land: Understanding the Difference Between Building Land, Future Building Land, and Non-Building Areas
A plot of land isn't automatically a building plot, even if the price suggests otherwise. Here's what you really need to check before falling in love with a supposed bargain.
Read more →17 August 2026
Furnished Rentals in Berlin: Interim Leases, Furniture Surcharges and Legal Limits
Furnished rentals sound like easy extra income, but legally they're their own field with clear limits. We show who benefits from interim leases in Berlin – and where the pitfalls lie.
Read more →10 August 2026
Speculation Tax on Property Sales: How the Ten-Year Rule Really Works
Anyone selling a property quickly runs into the question of speculation tax. We explain how the ten-year period works, when owner-occupation makes it irrelevant, and what heirs and investors need to watch out for.
Read more →3 August 2026
Renovating After Purchase: Costs, GEG Obligations and Grants at a Glance
Buying an existing property almost always means renovating sooner or later. We show what cost ranges to realistically expect for heating, windows and insulation, which obligations the Gebäudeenergiegesetz (Building Energy Act) triggers, and how to sensibly align grant funding with the timing of your purchase.
Read more →27 July 2026
Property Viewings Done Right: What to Check on the Roof, Basement, Windows, Heating, and Electrics
A viewing often lasts just half an hour – yet that's enough time to decide whether you're buying a bargain or a bottomless pit. With a system and the right questions, you'll spot far more than sellers want you to see.
Read more →20 July 2026
Reading and Understanding the German Land Register: A Guide for Property Buyers
A German land register extract looks cryptic at first glance – but it isn't, once you know where to look. We explain each section and what buyers should clarify before the notary appointment.
Read more →13 July 2026
Understanding Hausgeld: What's Behind the Monthly Payment to the Owners' Association
Buying a condominium means more than paying the purchase price and real estate transfer tax. Every month, owners also pay Hausgeld to the owners' association. Here's what it covers and which documents you should read beforehand.
Read more →6 July 2026
Mid-Year Review 2026: How the German Real Estate Market Has Developed
How did the German real estate market start into 2026? We take a sober look at interest rates, prices and regions – and show what buyers and sellers should pay attention to now.
Read more →29 June 2026
Moving to Germany and Buying Property: What International Families Should Know
Moving to Germany raises plenty of questions – not least when it comes to buying property. We explain what international families should consider regarding location, school choice, and financing without a German Schufa credit history.
Read more →22 June 2026
Negotiating Property Prices: How Much Room Is Realistic?
When buying property, the price is rarely set in stone. But how much negotiating room is really there – and which arguments actually work? A practical overview.
Read more →15 June 2026
Micro-Apartments as an Investment: Small Entry Point, Big Demand?
Small apartments and micro-apartments are considered an entry-level asset class for investors with a limited budget. We explain why demand in university towns is so high – and where the limits of this investment type lie.
Read more →8 June 2026
Inherited Property: Keep, Rent, or Sell?
An inheritance often raises more questions than it answers – especially when a property is involved. We show which factors really matter when deciding between keeping, renting, and selling.
Read more →1 June 2026
House or Land in the Berlin Metropolitan Area: Why Brandenburg Is a Genuine Alternative in 2026
Buyers in Berlin often pay more for location than substance. We look at which towns in the Brandenburg countryside are attractive for commuters, how land prices are developing, and what to watch out for with building plots.
Read more →25 May 2026
Real Estate in the Ruhr Area: Why Herne, Mülheim and Wuppertal Remain Attractive for Investors
While Berlin and Munich have long since hit peak prices, the Ruhr area and the Bergisches Land region still offer reasonable buying conditions. We take a closer look at Herne, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Wuppertal – three cities with different profiles but an equally solid foundation for investors.
Read more →18 May 2026
Renting Out an Apartment in Berlin: Rent Index, Rent Control Cap, and Choosing the Right Tenant
Anyone looking to rent out an apartment in Berlin faces more questions than just the rent amount. We explain what matters when it comes to the rent index, rent control cap, and tenant selection – and why thoughtful marketing is worth real money.
Read more →11 May 2026
Property Financing 2026: The Key Terms You Need for Your Bank Meeting
Equity, loan-to-value ratio, fixed-rate period, early repayment allowance – anyone financing a property will run into these terms sooner or later. We explain what they mean and how to prepare for your meeting with the bank.
Read more →4 May 2026
Buying a Listed Property: Opportunities and Obligations at a Glance
Ornate stucco ceilings, original wooden floors, a façade steeped in history – listed buildings hold a special fascination. But anyone considering buying a listed property should understand both the tax benefits and the obligations before signing on the dotted line.
Read more →27 April 2026
Off-Market Properties: How Buyers Get Access to Homes Before They Hit the Public Market
Not every property ends up on the well-known portals. We explain how off-market properties work, why many owners prefer a discreet sale, and how buyers can gain access to such homes through a search mandate.
Read more →20 April 2026
Real Estate in Bavaria: Munich, Nuremberg and the Quieter Alternatives in the South
Munich is Germany's most expensive property market, but Bavaria has much more to offer. We look at where it's worth searching when Munich becomes too costly – from Nuremberg to small towns in the Bavarian Forest.
Read more →13 April 2026
Buying a Property with Erbbaurecht (Heritable Building Right): Opportunities and Pitfalls at a Glance
Erbbaurecht may sound complicated to many buyers at first – yet it can be the key to your own home if your budget doesn't stretch to the full purchase price including land. We explain how the model works and what to watch out for before signing.
Read more →6 April 2026
Multi-Family House as a Capital Investment: Correctly Assessing Gross Yield, Net Yield and Tenant Structure
A multi-family house sounds like a solid investment, but the numbers are what count. We show you how to calculate gross and net yield correctly and what to watch for with reserves and tenant structure.
Read more →30 March 2026
Buying Property in Germany from Abroad: How Remote Purchases Work Without a Site Visit
Living in London, Moscow, or Dubai and want to buy property in Berlin without making a special trip? A remote purchase is entirely feasible – with a video viewing, a properly drafted power of attorney, and a notary appointment handled by your representative. Here's how it works in practice.
Read more →23 March 2026
Buying an Apartment in Cologne or Düsseldorf: The Big City Comparison
Cologne or Düsseldorf – which Rhine metropolis suits your plans better as an investor or owner-occupier? We take an honest look at the neighbourhoods, prices and rental markets of both cities.
Read more →16 March 2026
The Notary Appointment When Buying Property: Process, Contract, and Payment
The notary appointment is the moment negotiations become a legally binding purchase contract. We explain what happens, what to watch for in the draft contract, and why the notary never takes sides.
Read more →9 March 2026
Understanding the Energy Performance Certificate: Demand vs. Consumption Certificate, Efficiency Classes and Seller Obligations
In Germany, no property may be sold or rented out without an Energieausweis (Energy Performance Certificate). We explain what sets the demand-based and consumption-based certificates apart, what efficiency classes A to H actually mean, and what obligations sellers face.
Read more →2 March 2026
Real Estate in Saxony Beyond the Metropolises: Opportunities in Zwickau, Plauen, and Werdau
Leipzig and Dresden have already priced out many investors. We take a look at Saxon towns like Zwickau, Plauen, and Werdau, where entry prices remain low and solid returns are still achievable.
Read more →23 February 2026
Buying a Tenanted Apartment as an Investment: Opportunities and Pitfalls at a Glance
Buying a tenanted apartment sounds like a relaxed investment with no tenant search required. But existing leases and tenant protection rules can be tricky – here's what really matters when running the numbers.
Read more →16 February 2026
Buying Property in Germany as a Foreign Buyer: What You Need to Know
Foreign buyers can purchase property in Germany just as easily as German nationals – yet there are a few particularities around financing, the notary appointment, and language. Here's what really matters.
Read more →9 February 2026
What Is My Property Worth? How a Professional Property Valuation Works
Whether you're planning to sell, have inherited a property, or simply want to know where you stand, sooner or later you'll ask yourself: what is my property actually worth? We explain how a credible valuation works and which factors really matter.
Read more →2 February 2026
Selling a Property with an Estate Agent: What a Good Agent Really Delivers
A good estate agent doesn't just sell a property – they secure the right price, the right buyers, and a sale without unpleasant surprises. Here's what that actually looks like in practice.
Read more →26 January 2026
Real Estate as an Investment in Leipzig: Why the City Is So Popular Among Investors
Leipzig has been one of Germany's most sought-after locations for property investors for years. We look at what makes districts like Plagwitz and Gohlis so attractive, and what you really need to check when buying a tenanted apartment.
Read more →19 January 2026
Closing Costs When Buying Property: What Buyers Really Need to Budget For
The purchase price is only half the story. Anyone buying a property should factor in Grunderwerbsteuer (real estate transfer tax), notary and land register fees, and the estate agent's commission right from the start. We show you what you realistically need to budget for.
Read more →12 January 2026
Buying an Apartment in Berlin: The Complete Process Step by Step
Anyone planning to buy an apartment in Berlin quickly runs into open questions: what comes first, financing or viewings? We walk through the process from the first inquiry to the land registry entry – straightforward and practical.
Read more →5 January 2026
Berlin Real Estate Market 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
How is the Berlin real estate market really developing in 2026? We break down interest rates, demand and popular districts, with concrete tips for first-time buyers.
Read more →