Medieval castles and palaces, Renaissance mansions, residential houses of the XIX-XX centuries and modern buildings - in Germany there is a lot to choose from. However, not always people settle in well-equipped, environmentally friendly and economical new buildings.
The reason why Germany is a tourist destination is not only because of its long history and splendid culture, but also its beautiful natural scenery and urban landscape. The scattered or imposing classical buildings in the city are the infinite imagination of the European style.
The old houses in Germany, like the courtyard houses in Beijing and the old houses in Shanghai, not only witnessed a hundred years of history, but also a symbol of identity and status. For most Germans, having an old house in a state of good condition with modern facilities is a matter of pride. In the German real estate market, refurbished old houses are also very popular. So what kind of house can be called "old"? The old house is translated from the German word "Altbau", while in German "Alt" is old, and "Bau" is the building. Usually, buildings built before the end of the Second World War (1949) can be judged as old houses. As an old house, their differences are also reflected in the following aspects:
1.Building materials
Prior to the Second World War, brick walls and wood were often used as building materials. Concrete and steel bars were more widely used after the war.
2. Building structure Old houses are often applied to the héng frame structure during construction, and the most representative half-timber structure is the “wooden house”.
3. Internal structure Under the influence of the reign of Emperor William II, the old house has box-type double-flat windows and ceilings that are much higher than the average modern house, usually 3 to 4.5 meters high.
4. Interior decoration Most of the well-preserved old houses also have inlaid solid wood floors and carved wooden doors, and some old houses even retain the fireplace, which can still be used today.
5. Geographic location According to Berliner Morgenpost, only about 35% of houses in Berlin belong to old houses and are mainly located in the center of the ring. This is inextricably linked to the history of bombing in World War II. Image courtesy of interaktiv.morgenpost.de, copyright belongs to the original author Because of these characteristics, the old house is still charming after a hundred years of wind and rain, and in a big city like Berlin, the old house is a scarce resource. But it is precisely because of these characteristics that the old house is also facing problems. Due to the age of the building, most old houses are not yet equipped with elevators, so for older people and those with reduced mobility, older houses with higher floors may cause travel difficulties. Due to the influence of building materials, the insulation effect of the old house is poor. In winter, the energy consumption for heating is higher than that of the new house. But by properly designing the renovation, the insulation performance of the old house will be greatly improved. Referring to the renovation of the old house, whether it is the painting of the wall or the adjustment of the circuit piping, it will be a small expense. Therefore, when you are buying a property, you can choose an old house that has been refurbished, which can reduce the burden of subsequent renovation. For investors, usually the old house as a second-hand house may involve more information about property rights transfer and notarization. Therefore, investors have to be cautious about potential legacy issues when purchasing old houses, despite obtaining a unique historical culture and appreciation space.
If you are interested in buying or selling new and old real estate in Germany, investing in European real estate, you can contact us - we will provide you with a full range of services. Just write to our chat or email kontakt@dominartinvest.com. You can also contact us by phone +49 (30) 516 417 63 or +49 176 85 65 35 15
Dominart Real Estate GmbH
Xantener Str. 2
10707 Berlin
Germany
+ 49 (30) 516 417 63
E-mail: kontakt@dominartinvest.com
