For many people, buying a house is not only a major investment, but also a far-reaching life decision. This makes it all the more important to be well prepared. A checklist for buying a house can be of great value here. If you take a structured approach and know what to look out for, you can minimize risks and take the next step towards home ownership with confidence.

What to look out for when buying a house?

We show you step by step what you should consider when buying a house. Our comprehensive checklist for buying a property will help you keep track of everything - from the first viewing to handing over the keys.

Checklist before buying real estate: Develop clear ideas

Before you actively start looking for real estate, you should take time to define your own wishes.

Define a clear idea of your dream property

For example, ask yourself the following questions:

• What location is ideal for me/us?
• How many rooms do I/we need?
• What is particularly important to us in a house?

A realistic assessment of your needs helps to narrow down the selection and make your search more targeted.

Define your budget

Clarifying your budget is just as important. The following questions will help here:

• How much equity can I/we raise?
• What monthly installment can I afford?
• What is my maximum purchase price?
• What financing options are available?
• What ancillary purchase costs should be considered?
  
  

Another point that is increasingly important to prospective home buyers: Sustainability.

Tips for the property search and first viewings

It is particularly helpful to take enough time to make notes or carry a checklist with you during the first viewings. This will allow you to better compare your impressions later. Our checklist for property viewings shows you what is important and which details you should keep an eye on.

Property valuation: Technical and legal house check

Do you like the property at first glance? Then it's time to take a closer look. A careful assessment of the property is essential. Not only the appearance, but above all the technical condition should be assessed, and the following points are particularly important here:

• Building fabric
• Energy efficiency
• Condition of the roof, electrics and windows
• The surroundings (location, infrastructure and neighborhood)
• Legal aspects (e.g. contamination in the ground)
• The condition of the property
• The building's structure
• Energy efficiency
• The condition of the roof, electrics and windows
• The surroundings (location, infrastructure and neighborhood)
• The legal aspects (e.g.

Making a purchase decision - but the right one

Once you have found a property that meets your expectations, it's time for the decision phase. This is where an experienced real estate advisor can support you. As neutral experts, they act as an intermediary between buyer and seller and represent both sides equally and impartially.

Before you commit yourself, it makes sense to find out about planned renovations or possible renovation obligations. A discussion with your estate agent can also provide valuable insights into this.

Notary appointment and handover: what to watch out for when closing the purchase?

Once the purchase price has been negotiated and the contract agreed, the next step follows: the notary appointment. This is where the purchase contract is officially notarized - a key step that creates legal clarity. The notary then arranges for a so-called priority notice of conveyance to be entered in the land register, which reserves the property for you as the buyer. The buyer only becomes the legal owner once the final land register entry has been made - this process can take several weeks, but is essential for the legal transfer of ownership.

After notarization and as soon as the purchase price has been paid in full, the handover of the property can take place. Good preparation is also important here: record all meter readings in the handover protocol and remember to take out any necessary insurance and re-registrations.