As per 01.01.2012 you need a minimum of
60.000 own funds to apply! Which German banks offer
mortgages to resident foreign investors? Which building society is
prepared to arrange a loan for buy-to-let properties? Is it a good
idea to join a rental pool only because they offer finance through their
in-house bank? How good are pre-arranged mortgages - do they really
exist for the German market?
Question: I am non-resident and I
want to buy a property with a mortgage. Is this possible ? Answer:
Yes, we can mortgages with banks which are prepared to offer up to 60% of
property value - but if you are non-resident and if you want a nice property at
a good price, then forget the mortgage. Why? Well, because Berlin properties
are cheap and mortgages are only needed if you pay more than you should.
I.e. If am selling a property which would fetch 90.000€ but I put the
price at 120.000€ to give it a try, and someone comes along to pay
120.000€, then the seller is happy to wait until you have "pottered" with
your mortgage. But if he agrees to sell for 90.000€ then he wants the
money quick and will not be waiting for your banks - which can take
months!
So: if you want to purchase some of your discounted
properties, you must have the cash.
Question: I have the
funds to purchase without mortgage, would you still recommend to apply for a
mortgage loan? Answer: Definitely not. If you have funds you are able
to act much quicker. Good properties move extremely quick - you willnot have
time to arrange for a mortgage. Also, being able to apply for a mortgage does
not imply that you will finally get approved. You might lose valuable time
pottering with mortgage loans and risk losing the
property.
Question: If I buy without a mortgage, my cashflow is
not so good. I want a mortgage to improve my cashflow in order to buy several
properties and achieve higher yields. Answer: That´s no
problem. You buy your first properties without a mortgage at the discounted
price of 90.000€. Once you are registered owner and have your first rental
income, you visit the banks and apply for a mortgage over your exisiting German
properties to raise finance.
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German Real Estate financing can be done either with mortgage banks or with any
usual bank or financing institute. Financing of up to 50% can be granted on
selected properties. Financing for the purchase of groups of properties
under 80,000 euros (for example, two flats for 35,000 each) is also possible.
In order to obtain financing, all financial institutions require specific
information about you and your financial background in order to determine
whether you are considered low risk mortgagee. |
When applying for a mortgage loan, please bear
in mind: Banks want minimum risk and maximum security. Chasing
up a potential default on a single apartment from an overseas investor
isn´t what bank are keen on. The judicial costs incurred in a foreclosure
would be excessive for the banks, especially with low-priced properties. Banks
do not want your property, they want your money and that you vigorously respect
payments. No bank wants to chase a mortgage defaulter for a few thousand euros.
Getting finance as a non-resident investor in Germany has been difficult,
but we have experienced more lax rules and a very positive response from banks
lately. If a German national bought a buy-to-let investment property in
Spain, Austria, Italy or the United Kingdom, local banks would also adopt more
conservative lending rules. And the same applies to non-resident investors in
Germany. Saying this, several of your clients have been approved for mortgage
loans by German banks.
Here is some expert advice which has helped some
non-resident investor arrange for a mortgage loan: 1) buy good quality
low-cost properties (under market value) with your own funds (no mortgage
application) 2) if you can afford several, buy several, and pay cash with
your own capital (again without mortgage loan) 3) build up a steady rental
flow for a few months 4) then approach the bank to raise finance on all
properties
We know of an investor who paid 1000€ per m², then
months later approached the bank and got 1050€ per m² because the
bank estimated that the property was worth 1500€ / m² and was
prepared to grant a 70% loan. Needless to say, your financial status and
your rental income must satisfy the bank´s requirements.
PS: We
do NOT give legal advice. We just put you in touch with banks who offer loans.
We are not intermediaries or mortgage brokers.
Mortgages & Loans on German / Berlin Real Estate
Properties Notary Fees, Sales Tax and other important buy/sell information
Community Charges - who pays what and how much? Prices of Properties by
Districts and Zones Tenancy Issues achieve maximum yield German
banks.
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