Heading home: to the countryside. The coronavirus has changed many things – and accelerated the current trend of moving out of the city. Whether young families, the self-employed, nature lovers, many urbanites are increasingly looking for homes with gardens. This in turn has a direct impact on demand. But what else is driving this new trend? Where are the most promising residential areas in areas around Berlin? And what should you consider when looking for a property? We have compiled the most important facts here.

Owning a home on the outskirts: more peace, space and quality of life

Come home, switch off, let go. While Berlin pulsates day and night, the surrounding localities offer an ideal respite with a high quality of life. Berliners in particular are drawn to nearby Brandenburg to escape the confines of city living. Single-family homes and apartment buildings outside the city offer freedom to live your life to the full. And more: the economy in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region is growing at a strong pace. Available living space is becoming scarce throughout the region. And good transport connections are more important than ever.

One example: Tesla’s new plant in Grünheide, which is scheduled to open in late 2021, will be a major employer and enrich the area in the south-east of Berlin. This makes well-connected towns like Königs Wusterhausen particularly desirable places to live. Another example? Falkensee, close to nature and west of Spandau, with good regional transport connections – and plenty of recreational opportunities.

Corona is driving people out of the city: health is becoming more of a priority

A better life. More relaxation. More space. The coronavirus lockdown is acting as a catalyst and intensifying people’s desires for more freedom. During the winter lockdown, many Berliners have spent more time confined within their own four walls more than ever before, longing for fresh air and freedom. City dwellers have become increasingly sensitive to the noise and dirt around them.

This has a direct impact on the housing market. While demand for owner-occupied homes outside urban areas was already strong before the coronavirus crisis, now it is really booming. Current figures from the Federal Statistical Office confirm this trend. Nationwide, house prices rose by an average of 8.2 percent in Q4 2020 compared to the previous year. However, the biggest property price increases were not registered in Berlin, Hamburg or Munich in 2020, but in medium-sized towns and cities just outside major conurbations – of up to 10 percent.

A new love affair with the countryside: the best time to invest is now

Buyers would be right to reacts to the trend early. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to realize that increasing demand will cause property prices in more rural settings to continue rising for the foreseeable future. It is true that new development land is constantly being zoned outside the city limits – but not fast enough. At the same time, prices for detached and semi-detached houses rose by almost 38 percent between the end of 2015 and the end of 2020, beating price rises in the condominium segment by a wide margin.

Conclusion: House prices in the region around Berlin are rising sharply. Investors can rejoice. In the next few years, the value of real estate assets – especially in the surrounding areas and southwards to Potsdam – will clearly be higher than it is today. The time factor plays into the hands of those who are willing to act quickly: whether you buy a house at the beginning of 2021 or in a year’s time can make a big difference in terms of price.

Investment compass: attractive residential locations in the area around Berlin

Despite the coronavirus crisis, interest from would-be homeowners continues unabated – especially for properties just outside the city limits. Some areas of the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region are attracting more interest than others, whether because of their scenic attractions or their comparatively better infrastructure.

The Wandlitz Axis is a partnership between of the municipalities of Wandlitz, Mühlenbecker Land, Panketal, the town of Bernau and the district of Berlin-Pankow, which aims to develop residential areas to the north-east of the capital. A future-proof boom area.

Residential space near the Märkische Schweiz Nature Reserve is also more in demand than ever. The same applies to the south-west axis between Potsdam and Ludwigsfelde, which is already subject to tremendous demand. A trend that is unlikely to abate, but rather accelerate.

Country real estate: keeping a close eye on the advantages and risks

No rash investments! Anyone seriously considering buying property in Brandenburg should weigh up the benefits and risks carefully. One big factor: While inner-city apartment buildings are currently subject to Berlin’s rent cap, this does not apply in towns such as Nauen and Ludwigsfelde.

As always, you should carefully inspect each property before buying: Is the soil safe and uncontaminated? What condition are the heating systems, walls and roofs in? Are there cracks in the facade or is everything spotless? The total costs can only be reliably calculated once a personal inventory has been made.

David Borck Immobilien: your first address for purchase, sale and capital investment

Rush headlong into buying what you think is the property of your dreams? Not a good idea. Better to take your time and get advice from real estate experts. David Borck Immobilien will provide you with the support you need at every stage of the buying process. Because this is the only way to find a property that perfectly suits your needs; one that is suitable as a long-term investment or as a home in the country, where you can be close to nature and recharge your batteries.

An example from our listings: Elstal.de, an attractive investment opportunity just outside Berlin. We would be delighted to provide you with more details.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a property in or around Berlin, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Outlook: upcoming topics in this newsletter

We are staying up to date. Are you?

In our upcoming newsletters, you can look forward to these and other topics:

• Standard land values: The new standard land values as of 01.01.2021 are coming. Where have values increased the most?
• Decision on the rent cap: What can landlords and tenants in Berlin expect?

Your

David Borck Immobiliengesellschaft

Schlüterstraße 45 | 10707 Berlin | service@david-borck.de
Telefon +49 (0)30 887 742 50 | Telefax +49 (0)30 887 742 525