Hi guys, I'm also interested in the idea of extracting capital out of appreciated properties in German, particularly Berlin.

I feel we're nearing the top of what I'll ever be able to extract from this house. 

What to do about the carpet--would a regular carpet cleaner be able to clean them and extract the water at the same time, or does this require a restoration company?

I have to Disagree  on that one my Family is Been Investing in Real estate for over 70 years, i am the 4th generation and my Grandfather now 85 and very very well off gives me his advice and tells me if you can get some free money ( cash flow ) that what he calls it is still the best cause somebody is building equity for you and you getting a return on the original cash investment you did out of pocket its not that is for poor investors is for people who are starting and want to make quick money that part is true but not always Cash flow is a powerful thing with the right cash flow property you can start extracting equity and build savings and grow your portfolio even more no matter how rich you are, the shorestein family large real estate owners which i happen to know personally says less money out of your pocket more money that will come in after pay day. interpreted how ever you want thats my opinion not all deals can be cash flow but if you find one is good to get in.

I want to do great and meaningful things like that just on a larger scale.

I am not empty-handed,  but the few grand I have in the bank account seems to have only attracted the people most interested in extracting it.  

., it's truly impossible to provide meaningful answers here without more specifics.

I think I need to object to the idea on philosophical grounds.When you extract a late fee it's because the tenant has caused you legal injury because if their failure to pay on time.

This was especially meaningful because my stocking hung on that same mantel for 20 Christmases. 

If there's a mortgage, the holder will usually file for a Protective Order(PO), basically extracting the property from the BK.