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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!

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. 👇👇

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. 👇

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.

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?

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.

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.

Jump to
  • Property Type
  • Investment Properties
  • Options When Buying
  • Location analysis
  • Financing
  • Tips & Legal Info
  • Right Time To Buy
  • FAQ

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?

  • 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.

Different property types

Which property suits you and your financial situation? This is probably one of the first questions you ask yourself when it comes to buying a property. We have written down for you which property types there are and what makes them stand out.

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. 👇

Condominium as an investment

Buying a condominium as an investment has many advantages. What are they and what is important? Just read the article.

Buying an apartment building

Are you thinking about buying an apartment building as an investment? Not a bad idea. After all, there are many advantages to investing your capital in an entire apartment building. What are they, and what should you consider before buying? We've summarized the answers for you. 🙌🤝⬇

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.

Rental pool apartment as an investment

Looking for a property as an investment with as little risk as possible? Then you should take a look at how a rental pool works, what advantages and disadvantages it has and what you should look out for. 💡

Asset Class Data Centers – Opportunities for Real Estate Investors

Data centers are in high demand and represent a booming market. We explain why this is the case, and what the opportunities, risks, and sustainability aspects are in this asset class.

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.

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.

Location Analysis for Your Property Purchase

Nobody wants to hear it anymore, but it’s still true and important: when buying investment properties, it’s all about location, location, location. That’s why a thorough and solid location analysis before purchasing your property is absolutely essential!

This means you should look into the macro location of your property: Where in Germany should your investment property be located? Once you’ve decided on a macro location and have a property in mind, you should then focus on the micro location of the object.

Of course, this is less important if you’re buying a property as your own home. In that case, it really just comes down to whether you like the location.

The location analysis

"Location, Location, Location" ... You won't find a way around hearing this when looking for the right place for your investment property. This article explains what that means, what the macro location and neighborhood analysis entail, and which things you need to consider when choosing a property.

Micro Location: These 7 Factors Matter Most!

If you’re buying a property as an investment, the location of your property is extremely important. But we don’t just mean the city or region – we’re also talking about the immediate surroundings: the micro location. Here, we’ll show you which factors you should pay attention to.

Buying Property with Financing

Since real estate is very rarely purchased using only your own capital, the right financing almost always plays the decisive role. How high your financing costs are depends on various factors.

In our content collection on real estate financing, you’ll find many helpful articles on the topic. For example, you’ll see a simple explanation of the loan-to-value ratio, an overview of lending limits, and information on how additional collateral works.

But you can also buy property without having your own capital in the bank. With 110% financing, you can not only cover the purchase price but also receive a loan to cover additional purchase costs. On our marketplace, you’ll find a loan calculator for every property that gives you a quick overview of interest costs in advance.

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Tips for Buying Real Estate

The first property purchase is always the hardest—or something like that. In any case, it’s completely normal to struggle with buying. After all, it’s a big decision, and even investors who now hold large portfolios all started small. Once you’ve gone through the process once, you’ll see that it’s really not as difficult as it seems.

Still, there are a few useful tips for how to proceed. It definitely makes sense to have all your documents ready early on. You should also know in advance how a purchase contract is usually structured. Of course, your notary will do the final check. But if you spot things in the contract beforehand that you’re not willing to accept, you can save yourself money before heading to the notary and only noticing it there.

That said: once you’ve gone through the whole process and know, for example, when the purchase price is due or what a priority notice of conveyance (Auflassungsvormerkung) is, you’ll approach your second purchase much more relaxed. Naturally, when buying property there are always unique situations for which there are no standard answers. Maybe you’ll find the right answer here. 👇

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.

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.

Tax-related Aspects of Commercial Real Estate Financing

Real estate investments rise and fall with the numbers. One way to optimize them is through smart tax strategies. Learn about what really matters in Germany. ⬇️

It’s also important that you have a general idea of what a purchase contract should look like, how it’s structured, and what you need to pay attention to. Especially interesting for investors: if you don’t live in your property yourself but rent it out instead, you can deduct the interest costs from your taxes as advertising expenses.

Property Tax & the 2022 Property Tax Reform

The property tax has been a hot topic lately due to the recent reform.

In this overview, we explain what the property tax is, what the 2022 reform means, why millions of letters are currently being sent out, and what property owners now need to do.

Read on to stay informed and understand what actions may be required from you as a property owner. 👇🏠

Depreciation of Real Estate: Tax Savings for Property Owners

Tax depreciation plays a key role, especially when it comes to investment properties. But what exactly is depreciation, how does it work, and why is it important? We’ve put together a simple, straightforward overview to help you understand the basics. 📝🙌

The ancillary costs

The purchase price is not all you pay when buying real estate. There are also some ancillary purchase costs. In this article, you'll find out what these costs are and how you can deduct some of them from your taxes.

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.

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 high 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.

FAQ