Mortgages in Germany explained

Hypofriend News

Rising Interest Rates: Do they affect my mortgage rates?

Internally our message has been, ever since the mildness of Omicron became clear, that interest rates will increase soon. And this is what we see happening now. Rates are shooting up. What is the outlook? And what does it mean for mortgage rates?

Hypofriend News

The consequences of the Berlin rent cap ruling

The Berlin rent cap was declared inadmissible. We explain what this means for tenants and property owners.

Customer Stories

The Home Buying Story of Ariella and Adrian

When Ariella and Adrian finally found their dream home in Berlin, they were happy to be able to rely on their hypofriend advisor with the mortgage.

Customer Stories

Oliver and Rhianon's experience buying a property in Germany

Rhianon and Oliver started looking for an apartment to buy and tried to get a mortgage with their house bank. Then they found Hypofriend.

Deep Dive

Why buy-to-let is so attractive in Germany

Germany has an unusually generous system for buy-to-let properties, and the returns are high. Read here what you need to know.

Deep Dive

Mortgage for Blue Card holders: Should you buy now or later?

We explain what options you have as a Blue Card holder to expedite your home purchase, and when it makes sense to wait.

Deep Dive

Are houses and apartments overpriced in Germany?

Are houses and apartments overpriced in Germany? What is the actual situation on the real estate market? An analysis.

Deep Dive

Should I buy a tenanted property for own-use in Germany? A trap or an opportunity?

Buying a tenanted property can have its advantages and disadvantages. The following article will walk you through some considerations on how you can and should approach buying a tenanted property in Germany.

Deep Dive

German house prices under Covid: Cause for alarm or chance?

Covid-19 causes an unknown shock to Germany's economy. Should we worry about home prices falling, or should we use it as a buying chance?

First Time Buyers

Sondertilgung: A popular but overrated option

Who doesn't like the idea of repaying extra on their mortgage? That is what “Sondertilgung” is. But is it a good idea?

First Time Buyers

How couples can split the mortgage cost and value of the house

When couples buy a house together, the question often arises how to split the mortgage costs. What you should consider.

First Time Buyers

Step-by-step guide: How to buy property in Germany

The process of buying property in Germany explained in full detail. Beginning with the search all the way to becoming the legal owner.

First Time Buyers

Guide: Buying an Apartment in Berlin

What do you have to consider when buying an apartment in Berlin? Our guide answers the most important questions.

First Time Buyers

Buying a new build in Germany

Nothing can go wrong with a new build? It's not quite that simple. There are pitfalls waiting here, too. We explain what you need to consider.

First Time Buyers

4 mistakes to avoid with your mortgage in Germany

Several studies show: People who buy real estate get wealthier. That's why it's important to avoid some mistakes in your mortgage.

First Time Buyers

What’s the role of SCHUFA in getting a mortgage?

SCHUFA is Germany's largest credit agency and calculates credit scores that are used by banks when deciding on a mortgage.

First Time Buyers

Don't fall for low mortgage rate advertising

Interest rates for you mortgage that are too good to be true? There's a hook and we tell you why.

First Time Buyers

Commitment fee: How much to pay if your new build isn’t ready?

With a new build project, you have a tough schedule. That's necessary if you want to avoid paying commitment fees to your bank.

First Time Buyers

Financing Certificate: Always one step ahead

With a financing certificate, you stand out from other prospective buyers. It serves as a confirmation of your financing potential to brokers.

First Time Buyers

6 Tips: How to negotiate the house price

You want to negotiate the purchase price for a house or apartment? We give you 6 tips on how to do it and what you need to consider before.

First Time Buyers

Building a house in Germany - What you should consider

When building a house, you can design the property according to your wishes and you can even get away cheaper. Hypofriend explains to you what you have to consider.

First Time Buyers

Legal Insurance in Germany: Helping You Know Your Rights

Sometimes you just need the help of a lawyer. Luckily, a good legal insurance covers the costs. We explain what options you have in Germany.

Pension

Why Guaranteed German Pension Products Just Aren’t Worth It

Guarantees sound like a great thing - but we will show you that they can also be a bad idea, especially when it comes to pension products.

Hypofriend News

Uncertain Times: How Does it Affect my Home Buying Journey?

These are confusing and disturbing times. Please allow us to give you some perspective on the situation and the impact on the economy in general and mortgage rates in particular.

First Time Buyers

High Property Prices: Should I Still Buy a Home in Germany?

Property prices in Germany keep rising. We tell you if buying still makes sense at all!

First Time Buyers

The 6 most important insurances in Germany for you & your home

Once you have finalized your mortgage, the next thing to think about is insurance. This is an overview of the common types of insurance.

First Time Buyers

Life insurance in Germany & how it works

The topic of death is a very sensitive one. Nevertheless, this is a good time to think about securing your loved ones with a term life insurance.

First Time Buyers

KfW loans: How to save money on your German mortgage

If you are planning to buy your first home in Germany, build or renovate a property, you should always take a look at KfW loans and subsidies.

First Time Buyers

10 steps: The notary procedure in Germany explained

The notary process to buy a home in Germany with a mortgage is rather complicated, and with plenty of legal jargon.

Hypofriend News

Affordable housing requires more new buildings

Fewer building permits were issued in Berlin in 2020 than in the previous year. This will further exacerbate the situation for purchase prices.

Customer Stories

Meet Aoife and Giacomo, two happy new homeowners

Aoife and Giacomo approached Hypofriend to buy their first home in Berlin. In this interview they share some of their experiences.

Hypofreundinnen

Women are strongly underrepresented in property purchases

Women are much less likely to buy real estate than men. That is why we are launching the Hypofreundinnen-Initiative. A network for women.

Customer Stories

Stephen and Alice bought their first home in Berlin

After moving from New York to Berlin, they didn't know how long they would stay. Then they felt in love with the city.

First Time Buyers

These documents you need to apply for a German mortgage

Germans banks are very meticulous when it comes to paperwork. Here is a list of all the documents you need to apply for a mortgage.

Hypofriend News

Home affordability: Buyers can now afford up to 24% more house

A new law regulates the payment of the broker's commission in a new way. This affects how much house buyers can afford.

Customer Stories

Buying a home with Hypofriend by Kinga

This article is about one of Hypofriend's happy new homeowner and her experience buying a property in Germany.

First Time Buyers

8 Tips: How to find a property for sale in Germany

If you are looking to buy a property, you should be aware of these six essential tips on how to find your dream property.

First Time Buyers

Can I get a mortgage with a temporary residence permit?

The a short answer is: Yes, it is possible to get approved for a German mortgage as a non-EU citizen with a temporary residence.

First Time Buyers

How to get a mortgage in Germany: key decisions and terms

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

Deep Dive

How to refinance your German mortgage?

Here you will find everything you need to know about a forward mortgage and how to refinance your mortgage in Germany.

Deep Dive

What does Covid-19 mean for your mortgage plans?

The Coronavirus is a tragedy. Here is a deep dive to make sense of the impact on the economy, to help you in your housing decision.

Customer Stories

Getting a mortgage in Germany with Magda and Richard

Richard and Magda connected with Hypofriend right from the start of the process. This article tells their experience buying a property.

First Time Buyers

New real estate commission law: How much to pay?

A new law on real estate commission changes the amount of the commission to be paid. Here's what will change at the end of 2020.

First Time Buyers

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 to look out for.

Deep Dive

6 tax law issues that homeowners should be aware of

In this interview with a tax advisor, you will learn about the 6 German tax law issues residential property owners need to know about.

First Time Buyers

Baukindergeld: Extra benefit for new homeowners with kids

Baukindergeld is a state subsidy (12K euros over 10 years per child) for families and single parents who want to buy their first home in Germany.

Deep Dive

Is a Bausparvertrag useful when buying a home in Germany?

A Bausparvertrag is still quite popular in Germany. These are complex products that can be very useful, but also problematic.

Deep Dive

Berlin’s rent cap: Interview with a real estate lawyer

We spoke with Mr. Scheidacker, lawyer for residential property law, about the Berlin rent cap & other legal aspects of buying a house.

Deep Dive

Mortgage payment moratorium: Pause repayments for 3 months

Germany has passed a law that allows you to pause the repayment for your mortgage for three months.

First Time Buyers

5 reasons why you should consult a mortgage advisor

Find out how a mortgage advisor can save you thousands of euros and help you decide what the most optimal mortgage is for you.

Pension

Why Direct Company Pension Plans Rarely Make Sense in Germany

Although company pension plans are very common in Germany, in the vast majority of cases they are not worthwhile. We show you why.

Pension

How do pensions work in Germany?

Find out why your German public pension will not be enough to provide you with a comfortable life in your old age and what other options there are for retirement provision in Germany.

Pension

German Pensions: The 6 Biggest Mistakes You Want to Avoid

The German pension system is very complex, so it is important to make smart decisions and avoid mistakes. We show you the worst ones.

Pension

Public pension in Germany: Everything you need to know about it

Ever wondered how Germany's public pension works? We answer all your questions on this topic!

Pension

Private Pension Insurance in Germany: Overview & Best Options

Why private pension insurance can be a great option to enhance your pension and to secure your standard of living in old age.

Should I Rent or Buy in Germany

There is ample evidence that buying a house leads to greater wealth, especially in Germany… Get Started

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Hypofriend GmbH is an independent mortgage broker certified with the §34i GewO supervised by BaFin. Hypofriend works together with over 750 partner banks to find customers the optimal mortgage. Our headquarters is in Berlin, Germany.

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Mortgages in Germany explained

Rising Interest Rates: Do they affect my mortgage rates?

The consequences of the Berlin rent cap ruling

The Home Buying Story of Ariella and Adrian

Oliver and Rhianon's experience buying a property in Germany

Why buy-to-let is so attractive in Germany

Mortgage for Blue Card holders: Should you buy now or later?

Are houses and apartments overpriced in Germany?

Should I buy a tenanted property for own-use in Germany? A trap or an opportunity?

German house prices under Covid: Cause for alarm or chance?

Sondertilgung: A popular but overrated option

How couples can split the mortgage cost and value of the house

Step-by-step guide: How to buy property in Germany

Guide: Buying an Apartment in Berlin

Buying a new build in Germany

4 mistakes to avoid with your mortgage in Germany

What’s the role of SCHUFA in getting a mortgage?

Don't fall for low mortgage rate advertising

Commitment fee: How much to pay if your new build isn’t ready?

Financing Certificate: Always one step ahead

6 Tips: How to negotiate the house price

Building a house in Germany - What you should consider

Legal Insurance in Germany: Helping You Know Your Rights

Why Guaranteed German Pension Products Just Aren’t Worth It

Uncertain Times: How Does it Affect my Home Buying Journey?

High Property Prices: Should I Still Buy a Home in Germany?

The 6 most important insurances in Germany for you & your home

Life insurance in Germany & how it works

KfW loans: How to save money on your German mortgage

10 steps: The notary procedure in Germany explained

Affordable housing requires more new buildings

Meet Aoife and Giacomo, two happy new homeowners

Women are strongly underrepresented in property purchases

Stephen and Alice bought their first home in Berlin

These documents you need to apply for a German mortgage

Home affordability: Buyers can now afford up to 24% more house

Buying a home with Hypofriend by Kinga

8 Tips: How to find a property for sale in Germany

Can I get a mortgage with a temporary residence permit?

How to get a mortgage in Germany: key decisions and terms

How to refinance your German mortgage?

What does Covid-19 mean for your mortgage plans?

Getting a mortgage in Germany with Magda and Richard

New real estate commission law: How much to pay?

Buying property in Germany: 6 things you need to know

6 tax law issues that homeowners should be aware of

Baukindergeld: Extra benefit for new homeowners with kids

Is a Bausparvertrag useful when buying a home in Germany?

Berlin’s rent cap: Interview with a real estate lawyer

Mortgage payment moratorium: Pause repayments for 3 months

5 reasons why you should consult a mortgage advisor

Why Direct Company Pension Plans Rarely Make Sense in Germany

How do pensions work in Germany?

German Pensions: The 6 Biggest Mistakes You Want to Avoid

Public pension in Germany: Everything you need to know about it

Private Pension Insurance in Germany: Overview & Best Options

Calculators

Should I Rent or Buy in Germany

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