All Forum Posts by: Shane Barone

Greeting's, yep I have done this myself  and have provided coaching and guidance on the process for many soldiers and civilians here in Germany. If you want we could set up a call to discuss your requirements and I can provide you with some tips. It's highly dependent on your own situation and strategy. You can check out my site at barone-estate.com I am located in Wiesbaden.

Hi, @Joe Podwats Thanks for writing back. I did not mean to sound condescending about "only one" That is already an excellent feat for a foreigner over here! I am super excited to meet any other Americans here who own properties. 

Your concerns are absolutely valid. Many American investors only concentrate on the military community here, which I honestly think is a huge risk. If you look back even five years, you can see major military communities in Germany relocating and shutting down. For example, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Darmstadt, Giessen, Friedberg, and Aschaffenburg. 

I specifically ensure I have multiple options for renter capabilities. There are many target markets around, just like in the states, such as student apartments, city studios for professionals and the new huge market; the Brexit Brits coming to the Frankfurt area. Big banks and companies are bringing over British bankers and professionals prior to Brexit and establishing them here. I personally think this will be a big market for opportunity going into the next few years. 

For success on filling rentals here in the area, it just depends. The "typical"  desired rental house for Americans here in the area, is a freestanding house, a backyard, garage preferred, basement, 4 bedrooms+, 2-3 Bathrooms, and all within about a 15-20 minute drive. Typically a house which matches these criteria in a nice area won't last more than a week online. However, most houses like this don't even make it online. 

Most houses I manage are usually rented within a month, but main (PCS) times also play a factor. The longest I have had a vacant property was three and a half months. It was listed in February and didn't get rented until May. Distance played a factor but primarily this was just a downtime of a hiring freeze and low demand. 

There are other options we can talk about someday as well. I would love to meet up and talk about some other items as well.

I am now in the middle of leveraging a few of my properties by using them as a "security" to pull 100% financing out to purchase a new development.  The cash flow is there if you find cheap enough deals with the right criteria. 

Let's meet up sometime!

Greeting's Joe, I am a fellow Wiesbaden investor and member here. It would be interesting to meet up. I actually manage my own property management company here in the area and have been successful in managing American and foreign owned properties here and Stuttgart for the past 4-5 years. www.barone-estate.com

Do you own any investment properties here or only yours whichbyiublive at the moment?

It depends, some people are selling to a specific customer to keep their neighborhood the way it is (family, singles, kids). Generally if there is an agent, I usually tell them I am an investor, so they know right away why I am looking at the property. But if the seller is listing with no agent, I like to casually look at the house, as a buyer for myself. Sold by owners usually have more emotional attachment to their homes therefore think about who they are leaving their home to.

Hope this helps.

Greeting's Karsten, first welcome to the community. I live down in Wiesbaden, so it's nice to meet new people who are in or trying to get in the market here. 

There are many ways to look at offers, but ultimately, the numbers still have to make sense. I wouldn't worry about making anyone "upset or annoyed" there are plenty of agents and available properties here in Germany. The bottom line is, you make an offer on the property based on what it's worth for you, given your strategy, and the cost of that area.

Also, "low ball offers" only exist conceptually. Understanding the housing market and price per square meter will really help. Since there are limited houses for sale, meaning very few here compared to the US, look at everything in your desired area on Immobilienscout and Kleinanzeigen. Get an idea how the price was thought up from the owners or agents. Finding out the sellers motivation will also help, to find why they want out.

I make quite a few offers as well here, and they are always below listing price, always. The German market is a very negotiable one, from housing, cars, TV's, furniture and more. Everything is negotiable.  I wouldn't think twice about agent who laughed at your offer, either they accept it or they don't. 

Don't worry so much about future deals with people like that. There are enough good deals around. Like I said, make sure the numbers work for you, and keep your offers short and always set a deadline on your offer. Says your offer is valid till the following Monday at 1700. This gives them a small push and will let the sellers know you are serious.

I hope this helps and don't get discouraged! Deutscher Leute hat auch sehr hohes selbstbewusst! Keine Panik, die Deals sind da! Finde die gute, normale Leute, das du mitarbeiten willst. 

Schön Tage noch. Sag mir bescheid ob du noch Hilfe brauchst. Schickst mir ein PM und gebe ich dir meine Telefonnummer wenn es hilft :)

Greetings Jason, I am an investor based in the Wiesbaden area. However, I am currently not leveraged in the us markets, only Germany at the moment.

Want to earn a High Yield on your rental property? Consider renting to Americans in Germany.

Do you have a rental property and it is within a 30 minute drive from Wiesbaden, Kaiserslautern, Stuttgart, Ansbach, or Grafenwöhr/Vilseck, or Baumholder ? Perhaps you should consider renting your property to the US military community in Germany. Besides the high yields you can earn, you will also have the opportunity to join a responsible, caring, and friendly community of American professionals.

Why rent to Americans in Germany?

• Earn high profits on your property with average rentals prices from 13 to 18 euro per square meter and beyond
• Well established Professional and legal Rental Contract with strong landlord backed system
• Reliable and responsible community of tenants
• Trust in a long lasting relationship with your tenants and the whole American community.
• Build a good reputation with the US Military housing system to ensure future and continued rental profits

List your property for FREE on our website and reach thousands of potential tenants. There is no risk, send us a message and we will reach out to you with a FREE consultation.

Should you need follow on assistance with English speaking, property management, or tenant relations, we offer this service as well.

Call or message today, we look forward to hearing from you!

Hey Nicholas, great to hear from you. You're absolutely correct, after I published this, there were a few more things I thought about which could be helpful. 

Lights, security deposits, and washing machines are all some of them. I think for the most part, these appliances are thought of as furniture and not part of the house

 On the other hand, kitchens, lighting, furniture, and washing machines do not have to be counted in the property transfer tax or Grunderwerbsteuer when closing on a property! That's a super quick trip which can save a buyer thousands.

Thanks for your mention!

13 Things to Consider When Looking For a Rental Home in Germany

Moving to Germany can be an exciting, challenging, and interesting experience for expat families living here for the first time. While there may be many similarities between your home country’s culture and Germanys, there are certain differences to be taken into consideration when searching for your new home. Kitchens, oil tanks, and airflow are just a few examples unique to house hunting in Germany.

1. Location and Traffic

When looking for a rental home in Germany, societal norms should be considered in the location. Like everywhere in the world, you should always review traffic at different times of day at your potential new home. Germany has quiet hours and days which limit the majority of traffic. Sundays are actual days of rest here and most shops, offices, and establishments are closed. This will highly impact traffic if you view a house on Sunday. Consider making the drive to the new home during your normal commute times to ensure there are no unexpected delays.

2. Infrastructure

Many of Germany’s cities are broken up into districts offering their own differing set of infrastructure variations. When looking for a house in Germany, walk around to get a sense of what is available in the immediate area. Look for grocery stores, doctors, kindergartens, post office, and parks. Having these facilities within a short walking, driving, or biking distance will dramatically improve quality of life and easier integration into the community. Additionally, consider the availability of public transportation nearby. Easily getting to and from the airport, or taking the train home after a wine fest will be greatly appreciated at your new home.

3. Bitte Was?

If you do not speak German, it is certainly wise to find some help when house hunting. While many Germans speak English, they may not all be comfortable enough to talk real estate or contracts with you. Many of the German landlords around military bases are used to working with Americans and therefore capable at communicating in English. Additionally, look into an international rental contract or “Mietvertrag” which has both English and German.

4. Mold and Airflow

Home construction in Germany is quite different than many of the homes built in the United States. Homes here are generally built from brick or concrete. With this, fresh airflow is very important to avoid stagnant air and humidity within the home. Always check for mold specifically in upper corners of rooms and bathrooms. The mold will spread very quickly if not taken care of immediately and directly. See my post on Dealing with Mold and Airflow in German Housing here to learn helpful tips.

5. Heating Systems

When looking at homes for rent, inquire as to what type of heating system is installed. Common heating systems include natural gas, wood pellet burning, heat exchanging, and oil burning furnaces. It is important to understand the system so you know if any effort is needed on your part. For example, many older homes only have oil burning furnaces installed. In this case it is usually up to the tenant to ensure you have it filled annually. This is not only pain when it comes time for utility bill reconciliation but also can have adverse smells from the oil tanks in the basement. At a minimum, ensure all heating related costs and maintenance are covered by the landlords.

6. It’s Getting Hot in Here…

Believe it or not, but Germany does get hot for a few months in the summer. Despite of this, almost all German houses do not have central air conditioning. When looking at homes for rent, understand those top level penthouses and attic apartments will get very hot in the summer months. Ensure the home you are looking at has blinds or “Rolladens” to close during the hot summer days. Be wary of large open unobstructed windows which are southward facing. You will thank me later… 

7. Bus Route DODDS

Moving to Germany with children will be an exciting experience. With so many parks, playgrounds, and amusement parks; your children will not get bored. However, moving with kids and thinking about taking them to school presents new challenges. If you choose to send your children to DODEA schools, ensure that the house you are looking at is within the supported school pickup zone. These zones can be found by speaking with your local off-post housing office or the local DODEA school bus liaison office.

8. B.Y.O.K -Bring Your Own Kitchen

One very unique and interesting quality about German housing is the kitchen, or should I say the lack thereof. When Germans move homes, it is completely normal to bring their kitchen with them. When house hunting, unless you want to purchase your own kitchen, look for homes which include a kitchen in the rent price, this is typically displayed as “EBK” or Einbaukuche” There are few expats who move to Germany with their kitchen sink in hand, so ensure your know and expect this before visiting a kitchen-less home.

9. Parking

If you will be driving in Germany (check out my post on Public Transportation in Germany here) ensure the home you are looking at has ample and free parking for you and family. Many homes in Germany do not have garages or even dedicated parking spaces. Sometimes, the landlord will offer the tenant a parking garage space or you may have to park in the street. Additionally, some cities offer parking passes to the residents for a fee. Ask about parking or you may be in for a hike each day.

10. Planes/Trains/Automobiles, Oh My!

One potential downside with Germany’s ease of public transportation is the noise these vehicles make. If you live out in the country, you likely do not have to deal with this, but for those in the city, near train tracks, or around one of Germany International airports, you may. Ensure you take time to listen for loud thunderous trains or airplanes taking off while sitting in your garden. The last thing you want is to move into your new home and find out you are on the direct flight path of Frankfurt Airport!

11. Internet Availability

High speed internet is available throughout most of Germany and Europe in General. If high speed internet is important to you, ensure you check on commercial service providers to see what is available in your area. DSL and cable internet are not available at every house so ensure you check on the vendors website to see what is available at your potential residence. These links take you to the common providers:

Unity Media: https://www.unitymedia.de/privatkunden/beratung/unser-kunde-werden/verfuegbarkeit-pruefen

T-Mobile: https://www.telekom.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/EKI-PK-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewDSLQuickCheck-Start?popup=false

Vodafone: https://zuhauseplus.vodafone.de/verfuegbarkeitspruefung/

12. Lease Length and Landlord Planning

Depending on what type of rental contract you use, you may run into unforeseen issues. For example, the military housing office uses a rental contract which states the landlord will not terminate the lease within the first 36 months. However, what this means, and does happen, is that after the 36 months, the landlord can ask you to move within 90 days. So it is advisable to find out the length of the lease, if they have any future plans of moving back in. Do your due diligence or ask a property or legal professional for help.

13. Pets

Renting with pets in Germany is similar to the US. While some landlords forbid pets, there are certainly many which allow them. Expect to pay a small premium on the security deposit for having pets, especially if you have dogs or large animals. Ask about the local laws for leashes, waste, and vet clinics in the area. If you are not a member of the US military forces in Germany, look into the laws on bringing animals into Germany including dog tax and forbidden fighting “kampfhunde”.

14. Radio and TV Tax (GEZ)

This only applies to those who do not fall under the “Status of Forces Agreement”. Per German law, all registered residents must pay a radio and TV tax to the local authorities. The tax levied as of 2018, is 17.50 Euro per month for the household. This tax ~allows~ a family to use free-to-air TV channels and radio. The official name is known as “GEZ” or “Rundfunkbeitrag“

There are many things to think about when moving to Germany and house hunting. If you are well informed and prepared, you will avoid many mistakes and have a more comfortable and issue free stay in Deutschland.

Are you already living here in Germany and can think of something else you wish you knew when house hunting?

Don’t hesitate to ask me for more information regarding housing or living in Germany in general.

Greetings all, I am currently analyzing a few opportunities in Hungary. The opportunities are in rental development outside Budapest in the cities of Biatorbágy and Etyek. Because the cities have a large planned government infrastructure modernization, many investors are thinking about moving into the area. Becuase of a personal (family) interest in the area, I am considering completely renovating some buildings in the area to turn into vacation rentals (short term rentals). 

I'm looking for individuals who have experience in Etyek and Biatorbágy, familiar with the tax situation. Do you have any sites showing a good market value for rent caps, property taxes, and closing costs? Anyone else in the area already investing out here or have properties listed?  Thanks!