Dream house search: That's how long it really takes in Germany!

Dream house search: That's how long it really takes in Germany!

The search for the dream home proved to be long and challenging for many Germans. A current survey by Moving-365.de shows that 30% of respondents searched for their ideal residential property for over a year. Only 6% found a new home within a month. This shows that patience is required when looking for real estate. Young buyers aged 18 to 34 particularly value an attractive location, such as proximity to cafés, parks and transport links, while buyers aged 35 to 54 place price in the foreground. This illustrates different priorities depending on the age group, such as immobilien-redaktion.com reported.

The challenges in the real estate market are diverse. Younger buyers are primarily confronted with high property prices (50%) and financing problems (10%). On the other hand, people over 55 often complain about the lack of suitable offers (33%) and properties in need of renovation (19%). Although price aspects and location are central decision-making criteria, sustainability and resale value take a back seat.

Market situation and construction activity in Germany

In addition to the individual experiences when looking for a house, the tense market situation is reflected in the entire real estate sector. The forecasts for 2025 point to continued economic weakness and rising construction costs. These factors have a decisive influence on the German real estate market. Demand for commercial real estate is weak and vacancies are rising - especially in prime locations, which will be close to 7% in 2024. professionals from the-property-post.de outline a shortage of supply on the housing market due to a decline in new building permits and completions.

In view of rising rents, which reach an average of almost €19/m² for first occupancy, the pressure on those searching remains high. Construction activity has hit a low point with over 50% of companies reporting a lack of orders. Rising material prices and financing costs further contribute to uncertainty in the market. However, residential real estate and logistics in particular remain in demand, which indicates a slight recovery in real estate investments.

Important trends for buyers and investors

A central trend is the growing demands for sustainability and digitalization, which are increasingly impacting rental and investment decisions. ESG criteria are becoming increasingly important. Buyers are adapting to these new realities and are placing even greater demands on their future living spaces. The challenge remains to find the right balance between price, location and quality, while at the same time managing new economic conditions.