Commission-free Apartments to buy in Baden-Württemberg

Brokerage-free apartment purchase in the southwest: A question of region

Favorable financing rates and a safe investment: condominiums are currently in high demand - especially in Baden-Württemberg. No wonder: The state between the Tauber and Lake Constance offers a high quality of life. The warmest climate in all of Germany, an exceptionally good economic situation, attractive landscapes and culturally and historically charming cities: the southwestern state has a lot to offer. Economically, Baden-Württemberg is one of the strongest and most innovative regions in Europe, with its well-known companies in the mechanical engineering and automotive industries. In addition, the state's top-class universities - for example in Heidelberg, Freiburg and Tübingen - offer interesting activities in science. And those who want to enjoy nature on the weekend or after work have a choice between the Lake Constance area, the Black Forest, the Swabian Alb and other scenic areas. The state capital of Stuttgart, the state's old university towns and the well-known spa town of Baden-Baden entice visitors to take a city break in the surrounding area. In short: Baden-Württemberg is popular - and real estate prices are correspondingly high.

Favorable prices in rural areas

But even here, in Baden-Württemberg, there is a strong price differential between urban and rural areas. The chances of getting hold of a low-priced condominium without a brokerage fee are greatest in the rural districts - including the Neckar-Odenwald district in the north of the state, the northeast of Baden-Württemberg and some regions of the Black Forest. According to a study by L-Bank, condominiums can be had here for between 1,200 and 1,400 euros per square meter, and with a little luck even commission-free. This is because sellers in the Black Forest, the Odenwald or other regions with a less dynamic real estate market also know that their chances of closing a deal are greatly increased by selling from private to private.

Strong price increase in university cities

The situation is different, however, in the state's popular cities and vacation regions. The frontrunners here are the two university cities of Heidelberg and Freiburg im Breisgau, where, according to the L-Bank study, an average of €3,500 (Heidelberg) and €3,400 per square meter is payable for a condominium. However, high prices of over 2,200 euros per square meter are also common in the Lake Constance region, Tübingen, Baden-Baden, Karlsruhe, Mannheim and the state capital Stuttgart. It is striking that real estate prices in these cities and regions have risen sharply in recent years despite brisk construction activity - the demand for condominiums, especially for apartments in older buildings, was simply too great. But even here there is still a wide range of condominiums offered without brokerage fees, so that the search for an apartment without a brokerage fee can be worthwhile.

Source: L-Bank, Wohnungsmarktbeobachtung 2012 study (www.l-bank.de)