Mortgages in Germany explained

Deep dive

Why Buying-to-Let is so attractive in Germany

Have you ever thought of buying a property to rent it out? If not – here´s your chance to think about it. Germany has an unusually generous system for Buy-to-Let properties!

First time buyers

Sondertilgung: a Popular but Overrated Option

Who doesn't like the idea of repaying extra on their mortgage to avoid penalties? That is what sondertilgung is, and virtually every mortgage borrower wants it. It is a great sales argument for advisors: if you would use your extra payments/savings/bonuses then you can be done already in year 'X' with your mortgage.

Deep dive

Are houses and apartments overpriced in Germany? Not at all if you look at the long run

At regular intervals we see news in the German press warning about overpriced houses. Those views are nearly all based on the relative rapid increases of the past five or so years. But frankly that is misleading. It overlooks what’s happened in the preceding 45 years.

First time buyers

How to buy property in Germany: A Step-by-Step Guide:

To a first-time buyer who is looking to buy property in Germany, the buying process can appear overwhelming and hard to understand with all its different steps. Even if you are fluent in German..

Interviews

Oliver and Rhianon's experience buying a property in Germany

Rhianon and I started looking at apartments for sale in Berlin and tried to work out who to borrow money from. We were being offered rates that were really high and offered loans that were a maximum of 5-8 years.

Deep dive

A New German Law Allows you to Pause your Mortgage Payments for 3 Months--Some Practical Guidance

With the recent outbreak of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, many property owners with mortgages are faced with reduced incomes. To alleviate the financial...

Deep dive

Home buying options for Blue Card holders: should you buy now or buy later?

Buying a home is the pathway to long-term financial health and wealth. Waiting a year can cost you about 40% of your income, each year ! Here we spell out the mortgage options you have as a Blue Card holder (BC) to speed up the house buying journey and when it makes sense to wait.

Deep dive

What does the Coronavirus mean for your home buying journey and mortgage plans?

First of all it is a human tragedy, but in terms of death toll the spread of the virus is still extremely well contained and the toll does not compare even to a normal influenza yet--the death toll of.

Interviews

Meet Aoife and Giacomo, two of Hypofriend's happy new homeowners

Aoife and Giacomo (and little Luca of course) approached Hypofriend to buy their first home in Berlin. In the following interview they share some of their experiences and what they ran into.

Interviews

Stephen and Alice bought their first home in Berlin, read their experience.

We moved to Berlin from New York at the beginning of 2017. We had no plans for how long we wanted to stay, but we fell in love with the city. Especially since we now have 1 kid and another..

First time buyers

Which documents do you need when you apply for a German mortgage?

Germans banks are very meticulous when it comes to paperwork. And they'll be sure to take their time when it comes to requesting your documents.

Interviews

Buying a Home with Hypofriend by Kinga

The process of buying a flat in Berlin -- at least from the moment I found a place -- was much smoother than I expected it. No doubt, there were lots of steps and -- at times -- it was hard to follow which is the next one to take, but looking at it in retrospect, it was...

First time buyers

Can I get a mortgage with a temporary residence permit in Germany?

This is a question that Hypofriend advisors receive on a daily basis. As a short answer: yes, it is possible to get approved for a German mortgage as a non-EU citizen..

First time buyers

How to get a Mortgage in Germany: key decisions and terms illustrated

This section walks you through the key terminology you need to know when you intend to apply for a mortgage in Germany.

First time buyers

6 Tips on How to Find a Property in Germany

As an expat, it can seem difficult to find the right sources of information when it comes to buying a property in Germany. Here are a few handy resources that can help you find your dream home. Besides subscribing to Hypofriend’s property radar when you signup, you can use the following tips:

Deep dive

Should I Refinance my German Mortgage now?

The following article will deep dive into your follow-up financing options as a German mortgage owner. In Germany, there are three main forms of refinancing options, we will describe each in the following article below:

Interviews

Getting a Mortgage in Germany with Magda and Richard

Overall it went quite smoothly, mainly because we connected with Hypofriend right from the start of the process. Richard found them online while beginning his research on the Berlin housing market.

Interviews

Buying Property in Germany: 6 Things You Need to Know

In this interview, our partners from BPS dive into the intricacies of viewing properties in Berlin. Here are the top 6 issues you should watch out for when viewing properties to ensure you avoid unforeseen pitfalls, such as unexpected costs, and have a safe home buying experience.

Interviews

6 German tax law issues residential property owners should know about

This expert interview features Timo Blum. Timo has been a tax consultant since 2009. He has gained extensive experience in a medium-sized tax consulting company and worked for an international commercial law firm and a boutique specializing in real estate.

First time buyers

Covered by

GDPR Standards

Certified by

Covered by

GDPR Standards

Certified by

Covered by

GDPR Standards

Mortgages in Germany explained

Why Buying-to-Let is so attractive in Germany

Sondertilgung: a Popular but Overrated Option

Are houses and apartments overpriced in Germany? Not at all if you look at the long run

How to buy property in Germany: A Step-by-Step Guide:

Oliver and Rhianon's experience buying a property in Germany

A New German Law Allows you to Pause your Mortgage Payments for 3 Months--Some Practical Guidance

Home buying options for Blue Card holders: should you buy now or buy later?

What does the Coronavirus mean for your home buying journey and mortgage plans?

Meet Aoife and Giacomo, two of Hypofriend's happy new homeowners

Stephen and Alice bought their first home in Berlin, read their experience.

Which documents do you need when you apply for a German mortgage?

Buying a Home with Hypofriend by Kinga

Can I get a mortgage with a temporary residence permit in Germany?

How to get a Mortgage in Germany: key decisions and terms illustrated

6 Tips on How to Find a Property in Germany

Should I Refinance my German Mortgage now?

Getting a Mortgage in Germany with Magda and Richard

Buying Property in Germany: 6 Things You Need to Know

6 German tax law issues residential property owners should know about

Special child allowance for new home owners (Baukindergeld)

Does a Bausparvertrag make sense when buying a home in Germany?

Berlin’s New Rental Cap | An Interview with a German Real Estate Lawyer

5 reasons why you should consult a mortgage advisor

Calculators

Should I Rent or Buy in Germany

German mortgage calculator

Check your affordability

Get a freeonline mortgage recommendation in minutes.

Get a free online mortgage recommendation in minutes.

Get a free
online mortgage recommendation in minutes.