Commission-free real estate directly from the owner in Uetersen

Once tested by many blows of fate, today an important regional center

The town with a good 17,000 inhabitants in the district of Pinneberg in southern Schleswig-Holstein, about 25 kilometers northwest of Hamburg, advertises itself with three different additional names: it is known nationwide as the Choir Town, Rose Town and Wedding Town. In addition, as one of the most densely populated cities in the state, it is also part of the state-supported "AktivRegion Pinneberger Marsch & Geest" as well as the "Maritimen Landschaft Unterelbe" and the economically strong Hamburg metropolitan region. Although Uetersen has been repeatedly affected by various fires, storm surges, wars and catastrophes over a long period of time since it was first mentioned in documents in the 13th century, which repeatedly halted its expansion, the town has gradually developed into an important sub-center with a catchment area of nearly 50,000 people since the 1950s. Originally overly optimistic forecasts from the 1960s that the town would have up to 60,000 inhabitants in the long term have come to nothing, but negotiations have been underway for several years with neighboring Tornesch about a merger to make it the fourth largest town in the district. Despite this quite dynamic development and important regional role as well as the proximity to the very expensive Hamburg, the purchase prices still move in the circle comparison in an amazingly favorable framework. For example, the average property purchase price in Uetersen and Tornesch is currently around 1,800 euros/m², while it is already significantly higher in other larger towns in the district such as Pinneberg (approx. 2,200 euros/m²), Schenefeld (approx. 2,400 euros/m²), Halstenbek(approx. 2,500euros/m²), Wedel(approx.2,600 euros/m²) and Rellingen (approx. 3,000 euros/m²).

A favorable residential location with development opportunities in a regional and district comparison

Even compared to the overall Schleswig-Holstein state average of currently almost 2,200 euros/m², prices in Uetersen are still good, but the sharp price increase of about 50 percent for apartments around 60 m² since 2011 to now almost 2,000 euros/m² is striking, but in the same time larger apartments around 100m² became more than 50 percent cheaper. There has been far less movement in house prices over the same period, with rather small increases or price reductions of around 5 percent for sizes of 100 and 150m². Today, Uetersen's urban area of just over 11 square kilometers consists of the old town including the monastery district and the city center, as well as the neighborhoods and residential areas of Katzhagen, Kreuzmoor, Lohe, Rudolf-Kinau-Weg, Tornescher Weg, Am Gehölz, Am Seeth/Wischhörn, Am Steinberg, Weidenkamp/Ohrtbrook and Kleine Twiete. The newest district is the 38-hectare new development area "Am Hochfeld" in the north, where a total of 320 residential units are to be built. Especially the once independent villages and settlements of Lohe, Katzhagen and Kreuzmoor, which were not incorporated into Uetersen until the 18th century, have been able to retain their partly very rural character with many historic buildings and detached single-family houses. Some of the oldest, best preserved and/or renovated and thus most sought-after residential buildings can also be found on the waterfront locations of the river Pinnau in the south of the city and at the harbor in the center around the street "An der Klosterkoppel".

Equally densely populated and village-like with many green areas

In addition, Uetersen also has more than two dozen legally binding and in part already implemented development plans, which both in the area of the expanded city center and in the rest of the city area primarily provide for improved and condensed use for the creation of housing. These plans are mainly based on the desired model of a mix of residential, commercial, service, administrative and social uses, but have already met with massive criticism from residents due to the associated construction and sealing of former green and open spaces. Regardless of these ongoing local political disputes and conflicting views on exact plot dimensions, roof and eaves heights, and the generally desired future townscape, Uetersen is and remains an extremely livable and lovable place to live, especially for potential newcomers, due to its numerous excursion and leisure opportunities, entertainment offerings, sights and local recreation areas. For example, the two routes of the well-known Ochsenweg long-distance cycle path, which has been running from the Danish border near Flensburg to Wedel near Hamburg since 1998, meet in the city. The seven-hectare Rosarium with more than 35,000 roses and over 1,000 rose varieties, the largest of its kind in northern Germany, also regularly attracts many visitors from near and far. Also popular for hikes and walks are the 11-hectare Hexenwald nature reserve and the neighboring extensive park area of Langes Tannen, where the museum of the same name is located in a classicist villa with changing events and exhibitions. Other recommended excursion destinations are the Elbe beach at the nearby Hetlinger Schanze and the ship welcoming facility Willkomm-Höft in Wedel-Schulau, which is particularly attractive for those interested in technology.

Short facts Real estate in Uetersen:

- The small and densely populated town is nevertheless an important sub-center
- For some years, a merger with the neighboring town of Tornesch has been planned
- Despite the proximity to Hamburg, prices are more favorable than in other district towns
- There are both old existing buildings and large new development areas
- Most of the approved development plans aim at further densification
- The Rosarium is a nationally known and popular excursion destination
- The proximity to the Elbe and the North Sea as well as many parks ensure high recreational value