Lifestyle & real estate blog

Breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear water, pristine beaches, indescribable sunsets and iconic ancient buildings - Greece impresses in many ways. Its capital Athens is considered one of the most historic cities in Europe and also the cradle of democracy. Thanks to its blend of culture, history and nature, the country is increasingly attracting the attention of international buyers.

In smaller university towns, life pulsates between lecture halls, the old town and cafés - living here often means a lower cost of living than in large cities, as well as more peace and quiet and a better quality of life. This is why students and investors continue to be drawn to these charming university towns. Many cities have seen prices fall in recent years, but the momentum is now returning

If you live on one of Germany's most beautiful lakes, you are not just living in a property, but in an environment that combines relaxation, nature and quality of life. Whether Tegernsee, Starnberger See, Ammersee or Müritz - life on the water has its very own charm. It's not just the view that fascinates, but also the attitude to life: take a walk along the lake in the morning and end the day on the jetty in the evening.

Vicenza - located in the heart of Veneto and capital of the region - has a worldwide reputation as a center of art and culture. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is characterized by the impressive Renaissance buildings, imposing villas and historic palaces of the famous architect Andrea Palladio. Vicenza is also home to prestigious, exclusive fashion brands, making it ideal for extensive shopping sprees.

Although the right of emergency access has long been enshrined in the German Civil Code (BGB), there are always challenges when it comes to its practical implementation. One common question is whether an owner of a so-called "trapped" property - i.e. a property without a direct connection to a public road - may also use the neighboring property to get to their own property by car and park there. On March 14, 2025, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) made a groundbreaking decision on this under case number V ZR 79/24.

Mallorca is – as the origin of its name ‘Insula Maior’ suggests – the largest island of the Balearics. It impresses with its variety of landscapes – from rugged cliffs, large forest areas to picturesque bays, charming fishing villages and fragrant almond and apricot groves. The island is also rich in culture, history, tradition and culinary delights. With its location in the Mediterranean and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Mallorca is also considered a sunshine island and is accordingly popular – both as a holiday destination and a place to live. But how exactly does buying a property on Mallorca work? And are there certain requirements that international buyers need to be aware of? Florian Waetzoldt, licence partner at VON POLL REAL ESTATE Mallorca – Santa Maria, has been successfully active on the island for many years and accompanies prospective buyers on their way to their own home.

Budapest is not only the capital of Hungary, but also the economic, social and cultural heart of the country. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a number of spectacular sights and architectural highlights - including the Buda Citadel, the Royal Palace with its 800-year-old castle district, the parliament building on the Pest embankment and the basilica in the city center. The numerous spas and lidos as well as the distinctive coffee house culture are just a few aspects that contribute to the high quality of life in the "Pearl of the Danube". The master license partners at VON POLL REAL ESTATE Budapest, Domonkos György and Dr. Kató Zoltán, know the special features of the city and are the right people to talk to when it comes to buying real estate in Hungary - especially Budapest. Domonkos György gives an insight into the current market situation and shows what prospective international buyers in particular should bear in mind.

In many German cities, the gap between income and housing costs is widening. While wages are rising moderately, rents in conurbations such as Berlin and Hamburg are continuously skyrocketing. For low-income households, this often means a rent burden of up to 30 percent of net income - a level that is considered critical. At the same time, property purchase prices in some regions have fallen or stagnated in the last two years, which raises the question: Is the purchase of residential property becoming more attractive again?

Property prices are gradually leveling off on the North SeaThe German North Sea coast continues to be a place of longing for many people. The main reason for this is the Wadden Sea - the world's large...

After years of a real estate boom and a phase of price correction in 2022 and 2023, the question for 2024 is: Has the market bottomed out? The market is differentiated: While prices are stabilizing or rising again slightly in some regions, other regions are continuing to see price declines. Older existing properties in particular are under pressure due to high construction and refurbishment costs, while investment is increasing again in sought-after A-locations.

Vienna stands for tradition, art, culture and music like no other city. Many of the most influential composers to this day chose Vienna as the place for their creative work - including Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn as the main representatives of Viennese Classicism. This musical heritage has earned Vienna the title of "World Capital of Music". In addition to its diverse cultural landscape, Vienna is also known for its history, magnificent architecture and, of course, its picturesque location directly on the Danube. Anyone interested in buying real estate in the Austrian capital is well advised by Markus Herten. As a licensed partner of VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Vienna, he has a store in the 1st district. The real estate expert explains what opportunities the Viennese real estate market offers and what international buyers should look out for.

Picturesque canals, seemingly endless fields of tulips, traditional windmills - this is what the Netherlands is known for. Located directly on the North Sea coast in north-western Europe, the country offers a successful mix of impressive landscapes, numerous leisure and recreational opportunities as well as a variety of culture and history in its major cities. Marie-Christine Lodewijk, Elisabeth van Zijverden and Joan Dik, three of the five license partners at VON POLL REAL ESTATE Amsterdam and VON POLL REAL ESTATE Den Haag, and their team of real estate experts are each represented with a store in two of these Dutch cities - Amsterdam and The Hague.

In the past, real estate prices for residential property knew only one direction and that was up. This trend has changed since the end of summer 2022 at the latest.

Off the west coast of Africa, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, lies the largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago - Tenerife. It is dominated by the Pico del Teide, a dormant volcano that is also the highest peak in Spain. Due to its year-round mild climate, Tenerife is also known as the "island of eternal spring" and boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna as well as contrasting landscapes.

On the south-western shore of Lake Garda, in a sheltered bay, lies the town of Salò with its 10,000 inhabitants. With its charm and picturesque location, it embodies the epitome of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Olive and lemon trees, imposing mountain peaks and, of course, the lake characterize the landscape. A sight that exudes peace and serenity. Despite its privileged location, Salò has retained its authenticity. From there, Christian Weissensteiner, licensed partner at VON POLL REAL ESTATE Salò, and his team look after clients in all matters relating to real estate brokerage on Lake Garda. The real estate expert - who is also active with VON POLL REAL ESTATE stores in Milan and Bolzano - explains why buying a property on Lake Garda is worthwhile and what prospective international buyers in particular should look out for.

Impressive landscapes, expansive beaches, glamorous marinas and first-class restaurants - the French Riviera, also known as the Côte d'Azur due to its azure waters, has always been considered one of the most exclusive addresses in the world. Located directly on the Mediterranean, the heart of the region is the municipality of Cannes. From a former fishing village, the city has developed into the flagship of the Côte d'Azur and is the annual venue for the famous Cannes Film Festival. The VON POLL REAL ESTATE store of master license partner Martina Aniansson and office manager Marc Sebastian Aniansson is also represented there on the famous promenade "Boulevard de la Croisette". Real estate expert Marc Sebastian Aniansson gives an insight into the facets of the real estate market on the Côte d'Azur, current trends and how he and his team support international buyers when purchasing a property on France's coast.

From Dénia in the north to Alicante in the south - the Costa Blanca stretches along the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain and offers unspoiled nature and endless sandy beaches. Due to the fascinating landscapes, the wide range of local recreational and leisure activities and the pleasant climate all year round, the regions located there are not only popular with holidaymakers.

Property prices are gradually leveling off on the North SeaThe German North Sea coast continues to be a place of longing for many people. The main reason for this is the Wadden Sea - the world's large...

Property prices are gradually leveling off on the North SeaThe German North Sea coast continues to be a place of longing for many people. The main reason for this is the Wadden Sea - the world's large...

The years 2020 to 2023 were characterized by a large number of events and strong volatility, which also had a significant impact on the real estate market and the associated costs in the construction industry. But how much have property prices and construction costs really changed compared to 2015?

It is undisputed that various factors are currently contributing to the fact that new construction on the German real estate market is losing momentum and will continue to do so. From regulatory hurdles and rising construction costs to changes in the financing options available to prospective buyers - there are various aspects that are currently causing new construction in Germany to decline.

In addition to economic, demographic and political factors, technological innovations, sociocultural trends, environmental conditions, regulatory changes and social events can also have a significant impact on markets.

After many years of continuous increases, real estate prices are now experiencing a phase of cooling for the first time, but this could open up new opportunities for buyers and investors.

In the past, real estate prices for residential property knew only one direction and that was up. This trend has changed since the end of summer 2022 at the latest.

After a long period of soaring prices, residential property prices began to fall slightly for the first time last year. This was triggered by steadily rising inflation and the associated increase in interest rates, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Due to the low-interest phase, it was much more attractive to invest in real estate than to rent in the past - at least if sufficient equity was available. However, the ever-increasing inflation, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, led to a change in the central banks' interest rate policy, which inevitably caused mortgage rates to rise.

Long sandy beaches, fresh sea breezes and the vastness of the Wadden Sea: the North Sea coast has all this to offer and is correspondingly popular - both as a vacation destination and as a place to live. In recent years, prospective buyers looking for a new home have been particularly aware of this.

Content overview1. Leipzig scores with the largest supply of energy-efficient properties2. Hamburg environs must renovate the most by 2030 1. Prices for residential properties on the North Sea coast f...

After property prices have risen steadily in recent years, the situation has changed since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 and the associated energy crisis as well as the further rise in inflation. For the first time in over eleven years, prices per square meter for residential property stagnated or fell in some regions in 2022.

Content overview1. Real estate price development in Berlin and Brandenburg in 20202. Price increase of the last ten years in Dahme-Spreewald six times as high as in Spree-Neiße One- and two-family hou...

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CONTENTS ON THIS PAGE:1. Majority fewer permits and completions2. New construction share of housing stock from 2017 to 20211. Majority fewer permits and completionsFor the first time, the Federal Sta...

It's getting cold soon: what to do in the garden in the fall When asked what to do in the garden in the fall, these three gardener to-dos are usually mentioned: Do fall pruning, protect plants from fr...

The term "sustainability" can be found in many areas of life today. This makes it all the more important to grasp the meaning in concrete terms in each case. In our series of articles on the subject, ...

Volatile market noticeable in the third quarter of 2022In the winter semester of 2021/2022, 2.95 million students were enrolled in Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Many of them ar...

We prepare you as a buyer for the appointment If the initial key data of the property fits in well with your own ideas, the next step is usually a viewing of the apartment or house. This is often a ve...

In encyclopedia episode 6 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN podcast, Tommas Kaplan, Head of HR and Compliance and Money Laundering Officer at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, and host Susanne Hauf conduct an exciting in...

In viewing episode 3 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Podcasts, Martin Weiß, branch manager at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Sylt, and host Susanne Hauf conduct an exciting interview on the major topic of Thatched Ro...

In the viewing episode 2 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Podcasts, Sybille Lunkenheimer, office manager at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Berlin - City-West, and host Susanne Hauf conduct an exciting interview on the...

Whether you want to use a vacation property as your own vacation home or acquire it with the aim of renting it out or investing in it: You should plan your decision in any case as detailed as for your...

Contents on this page:Coastal Report North Sea: High demand of real estate buyers in all price segmentsCoastal Report Baltic Sea: High demand for homes in all price segmentsBuying Price Factors North ...

In viewing episode 1 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN podcast, Ralph J. Kunz, director of premium management and authorized signatory at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, real estate consultants Sebastian Helmke and mod...

In encyclopedia episode 4 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN podcast, Tim von Campenhausen, Director of Sales and Training at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, and host Susanne Hauf conduct an exciting interview on the ma...

In encyclopedia episode 3 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Podcasts, Tim Wistokat, attorney and head of the legal department at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, and host Petra Konradi conduct an exciting interview on t...

In encyclopedia episode 2 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN podcasts, Tim Wistokat, lawyer and head of the legal department at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, and host Petra Konradi conduct an exciting interview on the...

The phenomenon is on the real estate market rather a marginal phenomenon, but the question "What is actually a Tiny House" we encountered in everyday professional life for some time more often. In thi...

In encyclopedia episode 1 of the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Podcasts, Tim von Campenhausen, Director of Sales and Training at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, and host Petra Konradi conduct an exciting interview on the ...

The dream property has been found and purchased. Now begins what is actually really fun: furnishing with furniture that matches personal taste and attitude to life. However, if there is only a limited...

Whether cottage in the countryside or urban city apartment: A real estate purchase - if not made as a pure investment - is always also the expression of a personal attitude to life. Living in the coun...

The United Nations estimates that around 60% of the world's population will live in cities by 2030. The expansion of cities is therefore already in full swing, and corresponding examples of urbanizati...

When the leaves collect on the ground, many garden owners say: Where to put all the leaves? The collected autumn leaves can either be disposed of or reused. In some places in the garden, however, it i...

CONTENTS ON THIS PAGE:1. Rewarding investment: C-cities still hold great potential for private investors2. Interactive graphic: Real estate analysis of condominiums in C-cities3. Comparison of A-loca...

They are small and particularly fine, have their very own charm and usually an individual style: boutique hotels. Many of our customers feel particularly comfortable in these establishments. We presen...

content summary1. Real estate price development in Frankfurt and the surrounding area in 20202. Price development over the last ten years in Offenbach am Main more than twice as high as in Darmstadt ...

content summary1. Real estate price development in Hamburg and surrounding areas in 20202. Price development over the last ten years in Lübeck more than twice as high as in Ludwigsburg-Parchim ...

We reveal how you can bring the vacation feeling of Italy, Morocco and Greece into your own 4 walls Benvenuti in italia!The Amalfi Coast is considered one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline ...

Spring sends its first harbingers and brings life back into gardens and onto balconies.After a winter with partly magical snow landscapes, it is now time to make the property fit again for the new sea...

Roof terraces could not be more different - from small to large and from simple to luxurious: a roof terrace requires its own little furnishing and design concept.  DIVISION AND DESIGNDue to the size ...

Who does not want to do without the exotic Caribbean ambience in winter, does not necessarily have to jump on the nearest plane. With the right plants you bring the tropical vacation atmosphere direct...

Tips and hints on how to winterize the propertyPreparations in the houseAppropriate precautions in the house or apartment can be done mostly on your own and are among the most important measures for a...