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Buying real estate

It's easy with Urbyo!

Buying a property is complicated? Not with us! You'll find pre-approved properties on our marketplace and our team will provide you with perfect-fit financing!

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The Basics of Buying Real Estate

Reviewing Documents When Buying Real Estate

The documentation involved in a real estate purchase is crucial at every stage. You can only determine whether a property is right for you if you're familiar with the documents. And once you've found the right property, you'll need the complete set of documents for both the bank and, ultimately, the notary.

Here’s how to review a property's documents—and find checklists for your bank meeting and notary appointment. 👇👇

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Buy a Home or Keep Renting?

Are you thinking about buying your own home? Whether it’s a long-held dream or a financial decision driven by the current market, buying can make a lot of sense. But it’s also a serious commitment. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips to help you make a more informed and confident decision. 👇

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Negotiating real estate purchse price

The purchase price of a property is a matter of negotiation? Not always. Sometimes the asking price is simply good. Then you shouldn't try to get an even better price. But in this article, you'll learn when it's worth negotiating and how to stay fair.

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The purchase agreement

The purchase contract is one of the most important documents when buying real estate. Accordingly, you should check it carefully and know exactly what rights and obligations it gives you. So: What is important and where can you get a purchase contract at all?

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The payment due date

You do not pay the purchase price for a property immediately after you have signed the purchase contract. And you don't pay everything else in one go either. Huh? That's how it is. The requests for payment arrive gradually. When you can expect what, we have summarized for you.

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Buying real estate works best when you are well informed

Buying your own property is a big deal — especially the first time. Admittedly, it's also a complicated process at first glance. Because there are so many different terms floating around that you might not know what to do with initially. And then there are so many different steps and contacts in the buying process.

But in the end, the whole thing is not as complicated as it appears. With Urbyo, you can now take the first steps towards buying a property with ease. Because we don't just offer simple and well-prepared information that everyone understands. With us, you'll also find investment properties that have been pre-checked by experts with carefully prepared documents. And on top of that, you'll get the right financing, which our financing team will tailor to your situation by comparing over 1,400 banks.

In short: Urbyo accompanies you through every step of the real estate purchase process. Whether as your own home or as an investment, buying real estate has never been as easy as with Urbyo. But for now, it's best to get an overview of all the information about buying real estate. 👌

Buying real estate with Urbyo is easy

Buying real estate can be so easy. With our straightforward buying process, we make your real estate investing incredibly easy.

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What Type of Property Suits Me?

First of all, there is the question: are you buying the property to live in it yourself or would you like to invest in real estate? Of course, there are also a whole range of different property types. But which one suits you? To find out, you can think about the following questions:

  • Are you looking for a condominium?

  • Would you rather invest in an apartment building?

  • Is a commercial property an option?

  • Are you looking for a new-build project or an existing property?

  • Property where others go on vacation? How about a vacation home?

  • Do it yourself? Invest in an old property that may even be a listed building ...

  • Could even historic properties that are listed be exciting for you? There are advantages and disadvantages ...

As you can see: questions upon questions and a range of different possibilities. And you probably realize that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your personal and financial situation as well as your goals.

3, 2, 1... Yours? Buying at a Foreclosure Auction

A foreclosure auction can be an exciting opportunity for investors to purchase unique properties below market value. But the process is quite different from a traditional real estate transaction.

Find out how a foreclosure auction works, what to watch out for, and the opportunities and risks involved.

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Buying a Property As An Investment

If you're looking for a property as an investment, things are very different to buying your own home. If you want to enter the market as an investor, we have a range of information on everything to do with real estate investments and just as much information on managing your properties. For example, you'll find tips on self-administration or rent development.

Numbers and Returns: What Really Matters in Property Investment

When buying real estate as an investment, the numbers should be your top priority. If the figures don’t add up, the investment simply doesn’t make sense. Even if you're personally drawn to the property for some reason, you should think twice—or adjust the numbers to make it work.

For example, if you manage to negotiate a better purchase price, the outlook can change entirely. You might be able to buy the property below market value, making the investment viable and setting yourself up for long-term returns. But to make that happen, you’ll need a clear and well-thought-out strategy.

Buying Property with the Right Investment Strategy

If you want to invest in real estate and build a property portfolio, having the right strategy is key. Are you planning to hold onto your properties long-term with a Buy & Hold approach? Or are you leaning toward a Fix & Flip strategy—buying, renovating, and reselling properties for a profit? Maybe you’re thinking about combining both approaches? All of these strategies have their merits. What matters most is knowing what you want to achieve—and choosing the approach that fits your goals and personal style.

Regardless of your strategy, one thing is essential: always keep an eye on your property's value. If you ever decide to sell, you’ll want to get the best possible price. That’s why it’s important to regularly and fairly adjust the rent—even if your investment strategy focuses on holding the property long-term. Ignoring this can reduce the value of your asset over time—something no investor wants.

How and Where Is the Best Place to Buy Real Estate?

Are you planning to buy a property and ready to start exploring specific deals? Many people wonder how and where they can purchase real estate most easily. As with many things in real estate, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—there are plenty of options to consider.

Buying Property With or Without a Real Estate Agent?

Whether you choose to buy a property directly from the seller or work with a real estate agent to help you find the right fit—it’s entirely up to you.

Working with an agent certainly comes with both advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

  • You save time on your own research

  • Agents, as neutral intermediaries, can provide more objective information than sellers

  • Having a network of agents is highly valuable if you're planning further investments

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Cons

  • An agent’s service comes at a cost—you pay a commission, which increases your additional purchase expenses

  • Agents naturally have an interest in closing the deal, so it’s important that you carefully verify key details about the property’s condition

  • You won’t be able to negotiate directly with the seller

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Buying Property on the Urbyo Marketplace

Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to assessing a property's condition? Then it's time to check out our marketplace. Whether you're buying a property as your own home or as an investment, the property's condition is one of the most important factors. First-time buyers, in particular, often find it challenging to keep track of everything. That’s exactly why the Urbyo Marketplace is designed to make the buying process as simple and transparent as possible:

Take a Look at the Urbyo Marketplace

Here you will find pre-checked properties. You can also calculate your return on investment for various financing scenarios.

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Buying Property Alone or Together?

There are just as many options when it comes to how you buy a property. You can purchase real estate with friends, with your partner, or even buy a property from your parents—sometimes a gift might even be on the table.

There are also plenty of other structures through which real estate purchases can be made. Many people form a GmbH or a GbR, invest as sole proprietors, or even buy property through associations.If you’re considering purchasing a property through your company, our experts are here to advise you at any time. Great deals are often available through insolvency sales or foreclosure auctions as well.

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Benefit from the experience of the Urbyo community

The experience of experts or people who have already bought real estate is invaluable.
In our community, you can easily ask questions via WhatsApp, benefit from knowledge and network.

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Legal and Tax Considerations When Buying Property

Naturally, there are a number of legal and tax-related aspects you need to be aware of when purchasing real estate. While we can offer helpful tips and point out what to look out for, this is no substitute for professional advice. For detailed guidance, you should always consult a qualified attorney or tax advisor.

As you’ve already seen, one part of the additional purchase costs is the property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer). It’s essential to know the applicable rate in the federal state where you plan to buy. This is especially relevant for investment properties—depending on your strategy, it might even make sense to consider buying in a region with a lower property transfer tax to optimize your return.

Income Tax Reduction Application for Real Estate: More Net Income Thanks to Property Costs?

Many private real estate investors face the same challenge: their properties don’t yet generate positive cash flow. Often, this is part of a long-term investment strategy. But how can you increase your take-home income today? A little-known option is the income tax reduction application (Lohnsteuerermäßigungsantrag). It allows you to lower your tax burden during the year by accounting for high deductible expenses from your real estate investments in advance. In this article, we explain how the process works, what to watch out for, and whether the effort is really worth it.

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When Buying Property Makes Sense

Should you buy a property in 2025? Or when is the right time to invest in real estate? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. You've now learned a lot about the different ways to buy property—and in the end, the decision is yours.

A key factor is why you're buying. If you're looking for a home to live in, the timing is deeply personal and subjective. Only you can decide when it feels right to buy a place of your own. But if you're buying property as an investment, it’s all about the numbers. The deal has to make financial sense.

One thing is certain: many people won’t be able to rely on state pensions alone to live comfortably in retirement. That makes private retirement planning more important than ever. And when it comes to preparing for retirement, time is your greatest asset—the earlier you start, the better.

Yes, the current market—with higher inflation and rising interest rates—might seem more challenging. But the upside? Buyers can finally start negotiating purchase prices again.So, what are you waiting for? The right deals and financing options are out there. You just have to find them. And with Urbyo, it’s easier than ever.

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