Checking the purchase price: is it reasonable for this property?

How to recognise a reasonable price

• Land value: plot area times standard land value, adjusted for differences from the reference plot.
• Building: year, condition, modernisation, living area per documents.
• Location and comparison: prices paid for similar properties, analysed by the valuation board.

Land value vs. building value

Standard land values (Bodenrichtwerte) are average location values for land derived by the local valuation board from its purchase price collection (sec. 196 BauGB), as a rule at the beginning of every second calendar year. Anyone may request them.

A standard land value is neither a price nor an appraisal. It applies to a typical plot in the zone; if your plot differs in size, shape or buildability, so does its land value.

Reading current price data

A range instead of a single number

reesinsy shows value as a range with a guide value, confidence and the biggest uncertainties. The land value rests on official standard land values; the building value stays open until year, area and condition are confirmed.

When you need an appraisal

A market-value appraisal pays off for high prices, unusual properties (listed building, heritable building right, right of residence, renovation backlog) or when you need a robust figure to negotiate.

If you need a value for inherited property rather than a purchase offer, the German inheritance tax guide for overseas heirs explains how to organise the valuation records for that purpose.

Frequently asked questions