Real estate investment: direct and indirect
An old-age security that is fundamentally different from the ones presented so far is investing in real estate that you can buy directly and then either resell or rent out. There are a number of factors to consider in order to find the right property.
A and O is of course the location. The place should have a minimum number of residents. Other factors to consider are the transport connections and attractiveness as well as the local infrastructure: Are there sufficient shopping facilities, a school, kindergartens, medical practices and green spaces nearby. You should also pay attention to sources of noise, such as airports, roads, rail traffic or commercial areas.
An important question is, of course, whether the area is booming or structurally weak, whether it is home to important companies and thus jobs, or whether these are growing and the area or region is attractive for companies and will continue to be so. You should also keep an eye on the development of real estate prices and rent levels in the past.
Of course, the condition of the building is also decisive. Above all, you should pay attention to the condition of the following building components: Age and condition of the house inside and the facade, condition of the roof, electrics, heating system, insulation, age of the windows and glazing, energy efficiency, connections, floor plan and accessibility.
Caution: According to the consumer center, buildings in Germany account for almost 40 percent of energy consumption. The energy requirements for buildings are specified in the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV). The EnEV applies to almost all buildings that are heated or air-conditioned and, in addition to the heating and air-conditioning technology, primarily refers to the thermal insulation of the building. Before buying a house or apartment, you should therefore check whether the energy certificate indicates high consumption and whether energy-related refurbishment measures are therefore necessary. You could face unexpected additional costs here.