How to find the right property in Berlin with First Citiz

Buying a property in Berlin is both a great investment and a unique life experience. However, fluency in German and knowledge of the Berlin real estate market is invaluable when it comes to successfully purchasing a property - and that might represent a hurdle for lots of expats. 

First Citiz help expats in Berlin buy homes

For years, First Citiz real estate agents have been paving the way for international and expatriate house-hunters to buy their own homes in Berlin. This award-winning real estate agency offers multilingual services and has already helped countless people buy their dream home or make a profitable property investment in Berlin. 

Here’s how they can help. 

Advice on the property market in Berlin

Firstly, property prices in Berlin are continuously rising, so if you are planning on buying something, it pays to act fast - and do your homework. Before you even start searching, it’s important to get a good idea of your budget and current property prices. This will help you to target your search to areas where you’re likely to find something suitable. 

First Citiz’s real estate agents in Berlin can help advise you on what you could afford, and what your budget should be to meet your purchase requirements, such as the area, number of bedrooms, and amenities. 

If you’re investing rather than seeking your dream home, it’s important to have a good understanding of the impact of rental regulations, and which kinds of properties and areas are good to target.

Whatever your situation, First Citiz can offer you a free purchase consultation to give you market insights and assemble a kind of “profile” of your future property. If you’re not super familiar with the city, they can also inform you about Berlin’s different areas and hotspots, to help you assemble a shortlist of the best neighbourhoods in Berlin.

Help with finding the right property

Once you’ve got an idea of what you’re looking for and how much you can afford, the search itself can begin. However, finding a property in Berlin is quite challenging. Due to the enormous demand for housing, less than 2 percent of apartments in Berlin are vacant, so be prepared to compromise on some of your purchase criteria. 

New-build properties in Berlin can be a good option, as you have more choice, especially if you’re buying an apartment at the beginning of a real estate project. 

First Citiz can offer you a selection of over 100 apartments for sale in Berlin’s central districts, including period and new-build apartments, great options for both self-use and investment properties and a number of luxury properties in Berlin.

In addition to these listings, First Citiz offers a free property finder service. You can leave your search criteria with them and they will get in touch with you as soon as something suitable comes up. 

Guidance throughout the property purchase process

The property purchase process in Berlin is carried out in German. With this in mind, First Citiz’s team of English-speaking property experts will assist you from A to Z during the process, with your own dedicated advisor on hand to take care of any questions or problems. 

First Citiz will actively manage all aspects of the transaction, including paperwork, mortgage support, notary appointments, process organisation, communication with all parties, post-notary follow-ups - everything until you get your keys! 

First Citiz can also provide you with useful contacts, like mortgage brokers, notaries, lawyers, tax advisors, renovation companies, architects and more. If you’re purchasing a buy-to-let property in Berlin, First Citiz will assist you in other aspects like renting and property management. 

Contact doesn’t stop when you get your keys

Long-term customer relationships are valued at First Citiz Berlin, and they will continue supporting you for as long as you need, well after your property purchase has been finalised. First Citiz’s agents will remain at your disposal for any questions related to real estate in Berlin. For instance, if you bought a house to live in and now want to rent it, they can advise you about the best steps to take. 

If you’re also thinking of selling your property in Berlin, whether for personal or professional reasons, First Citiz would be happy to offer you a free valuation and advise you on the sales process. 

For any topic related to real estate, the First Citiz Berlin team will always be happy to help and give advice!