Additional purchase costs in the real estate market: How to save thousands of euros!

Additional purchase costs in the real estate market: How to save thousands of euros!

The increasing additional purchase costs when purchasing real estate in Germany represent an enormous financial burden for buyers. These costs currently amount to up to 10% of the purchase price. This reports Focus and names specific costs: The real estate transfer tax varies between 3.5% in Bavaria and up to 6.5% in federal states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. There is also a broker commission of around 3.57%. Notary and land registry costs account for a further 1.5 to 2%.

For a purchase price of 500,000 euros, the total additional purchase costs can therefore be over 45,000 euros. What is worrying is that banks usually do not finance additional purchase costs, which means that buyers have to raise these amounts from their own capital. Despite a promise from Chancellor Friedrich Merz to reduce the burden on real estate transfer tax, such a project is missing from the current coalition agreement.

Additional purchasing costs in detail

The individual components of the additional purchase costs are crucial for buyers who want to optimally plan their financial resources. Buyers should be aware of the fact that states have increased property tax rates since 2006. While many federal states have reached 6.5%, Bavaria remains the lowest at 3.5%. The average financial assets of households with a head of household between the ages of 35 and 44 are just under 23,000 euros, which for many represents savings for purchasing real estate.

• Grunderwerbsteuer: 3,5% – 6,5%
• Maklercourtage: ca. 3,57% (3% plus Mehrwertsteuer)
• Notar- und Grundbuchkosten: rund 1,5 bis 2%

Experts recommend various strategies to reduce additional purchasing costs. This includes not using a broker or using a cheaper hybrid broker who offers better commission rates. Purchasing directly from the owner can also provide significant savings. In addition, property transfer tax can be reduced by purchasing leasehold properties that offer tax advantages.

Tips for reducing costs

Another way to reduce costs is to have sellers contribute to the additional costs. Sellers could cover the notary costs, brokerage fees or land registry fees and thus reduce possible financing barriers for buyers.

In this context, experts are calling for the ordering principle for brokers and tax allowances for first-time buyers. Digitalization of the land register process and regulated price lists for notaries and brokers would also lead to more transparency and a better economic environment for buyers, especially for young families and normal earners.

Data protection also plays a role when purchasing real estate. How kaufbeikostenrechner.de emphasizes, users can use the website without providing personal data. However, when using special services, it may be necessary to process corresponding data. The company undertakes to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and country-specific data protection regulations.

A comprehensive understanding of the additional purchase costs and clear strategies for minimizing them are essential for buyers in order to successfully overcome the challenges of purchasing property in Germany.