Prepare — heim

Your starting point

A decision that fits your life.

0 / 5

Compare buying with rentingWrite down your reasons for buying, likely time in the area, and the flexibility you may need.Map your household incomeUse regular take-home income. Separate variable pay and avoid assuming it will always continue.Review real monthly spendingLook at recent statements and include annual bills, existing debts, travel, and ordinary living costs.Protect an emergency reserveDecide what you need to keep available for unexpected events before counting savings toward a purchase.Agree on a comfortable budgetDiscuss a sustainable total monthly housing cost with a lender, including a scenario with lower income.

Savings & financing

Know what the commitment involves.

0 / 5

List the funds you can contributeRecord available savings and clarify whether family support is a gift or a loan.Request a full purchase-cost estimateInclude transfer tax, notary, land register, any agency fee, moving, and essential repairs.Gather documents for a lenderAsk for their list: identification, income evidence, savings records, debts, and property documents.Compare written finance proposalsDiscuss the effective interest rate, fixed-rate period, repayment schedule, remaining debt, and special repayment terms.Check funding before committingAsk about current eligibility and application timing for any KfW or regional programme; do not assume approval.

Your home brief

Make your priorities specific.

0 / 5

Choose locations with everyday life in mindCheck commute times, transport, services, and the neighbourhood at different times of day.Separate must-haves from nice-to-havesIdentify minimum space, usable rooms, outdoor space, accessibility needs, and renovation tolerance.Confirm the occupancy situationAsk whether the home is vacant or rented and when possession could be available; seek advice on existing tenancies.Plan for future changesConsider working from home, a partner, children, caring responsibilities, or a move for work.Set a viewing comparison methodUse the same list of questions for each property and record unknowns instead of guessing.

Property checks

Look beyond first impressions.

0 / 5

View the property carefullyCheck signs of damp, windows, roof and building condition. Arrange an independent professional inspection where needed.Read the energy informationAsk about the energy certificate, heating system, recent bills, and potential modernisation work.Request the relevant property documentsAsk for floor plans, area information, land-register information, and evidence relating to alterations.Review apartment-building obligationsFor an apartment, review Hausgeld, reserves, meeting minutes, planned works, and any special contributions with professional help.Price the work before making promisesGet estimates for necessary repairs and renovation, and check constraints such as listed-building protection.

Buying alone or together

Clarify responsibilities before signing.

0 / 5

Confirm who will own and borrowMake sure the intended buyers, ownership shares, and borrowers are understood by everyone involved.Document different contributionsIf buying together, record who contributes savings and pays which ongoing costs.Discuss life changes openlyTake questions about separation, death, sale, or one person losing income to a qualified legal adviser.Confirm property-specific financeObtain clarity from the lender about its approval, conditions, and timing before committing to the purchase.Review the draft purchase contractGive yourself time to read it and ask the notary about payment, handover, included items, and unresolved questions.

Completion & your first year

Make the handover a beginning.

0 / 5

Follow the notary’s payment instructionsUnderstand which conditions must be met before payment is due; independently verify any changed bank details.Plan the handoverArrange the date and document property condition, meter readings, keys, and any outstanding issues.Arrange essential services and coverClarify relevant insurance, utilities, moving arrangements, and administrative updates.Keep the purchase records togetherRetain contracts, payment records, inspection reports, warranties, and the relevant registration documents.Review your budget after movingCheck actual running costs, build maintenance reserves, and revisit your financial plan as circumstances change.

Some steps depend on the property and your circumstances. Where a step does not apply, confirm that before marking it complete. Work with qualified advisers on financing, property condition, and legal commitments.

Helpful starting points

Verbraucherzentrale: affordability ↗German notaries: information and search ↗KfW: current programmes and conditions ↗

Your first-home plan.
One step at a time.

Your starting point

Savings & financing

Your home brief

Property checks

Buying alone or together

Completion & your first year

Helpful starting points

Start your checklist again?

Your first-home plan.One step at a time.

Your starting point

Savings & financing

Your home brief

Property checks

Buying alone or together

Completion & your first year

Helpful starting points

Your first-home plan.
One step at a time.