Frequently asked questions

FAQ: property financing

Q: What does the financing advice cost?

Nothing — my advice, the bank comparison and the financing request are completely free for you. The commission is paid by the financing bank, not by you. This is regulated by law and fully transparent.

Q: What is the advantage of a broker over my own bank?

I compare 650+ banks at once — your own bank only knows its own products. For investment properties in particular (listed buildings, QNG new builds), the choice of bank is decisive, because not every bank finances such objects. I know the specialist banks — and which ones to avoid.

Q: How does KfW funding work — and when do I have to apply?

The KfW application must be submitted before the purchase contract — this is the most common and most expensive mistake. I coordinate the correct order: KfW application first, then the purchase contract. One widespread misconception: a repayment grant exists only in refurbishment (KfW 261). For new builds — 297/298 and 300 — the subsidy works solely through the reduced interest rate; for a QNG new build the subsidised loan runs up to €150,000 per residential unit, without QNG up to €100,000.

The key answers on costs, KfW subsidies, follow-up financing, 100 % financing and advising expats and Germans living abroad.

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In short

What does the financing advice cost?

Nothing. Advice, the bank comparison and the financing request are completely free for you — the commission is paid by the financing bank. This is regulated by law and transparent.

What our advice costs →

When do I have to apply for KfW funding?

Before the purchase contract — this is the most common and most expensive mistake. The correct order: KfW application first, then the purchase contract. State development banks (L-Bank, BayernLabo, NRW.BANK, WIBank and others) are often combinable with KfW.

Who is 100 % purchase-price financing meant for?

Investors, doctors and clients with very good credit standing who want to keep their equity working. The bank finances the purchase price; you contribute the transaction costs — 8–15 % depending on the federal state — from your own funds. It is no substitute for missing equity.

Financing for doctors →

Who arranges this?

Perini Finance & Property — licensed under §34i GewO, 650+ banks compared, we know the banks whose lending rules cover investment property, follow-up financing, expats and Germans living abroad. With complete documents a commitment usually takes 3 to 10 working days.

Refinancing your German loan →

What does a mortgage broker cost in Germany — and what can one do that your own bank cannot?

The advice, the bank comparison and the financing request cost you nothing: the commission is paid by the financing bank, not by you. The real difference to your own bank is not the price, however, but the range of choice.

We compare more than 650 banks at the same time, while your own bank only knows its own products. That matters most in the special cases — listed buildings, QNG new builds, investment properties, a residence outside Germany — because by no means every bank will even look at them.

More important than the interest rate is usually the order of steps: the KfW application has to be filed through the house bank before the purchase contract, otherwise eligibility is lost for good.

And one widespread misconception regularly costs five-figure sums: a repayment grant exists only in refurbishment (KfW 261). For new builds — 297/298 and 300 — the subsidy works solely through the reduced interest rate.

What does the financing advice cost?

Nothing — my advice, the bank comparison and the financing request are completely free for you. The commission is paid by the financing bank, not by you. This is regulated by law and fully transparent.

What is the advantage of a broker over my own bank?

I compare 650+ banks at once — your own bank only knows its own products. For investment properties in particular (listed buildings, QNG new builds), the choice of bank is decisive, because not every bank finances such objects. I know the specialist banks — and which ones to avoid.

How does KfW funding work — and when do I have to apply?

The KfW application must be submitted before the purchase contract — this is the most common and most expensive mistake. I coordinate the correct order: KfW application first, then the purchase contract. One widespread misconception: a repayment grant exists only in refurbishment (KfW 261). For new builds — 297/298 and 300 — the subsidy works solely through the reduced interest rate; for a QNG new build the subsidised loan runs up to €150,000 per residential unit, without QNG up to €100,000.

Expat mortgage: who is 100 % purchase-price financing meant for?

For investors, doctors and clients with very good credit standing who want to keep their equity working — it is no substitute for missing equity. The bank finances the purchase price; you contribute the transaction costs from own funds — depending on the federal state, 8–15 % (property transfer tax, notary, land registry). Bavaria is particularly favourable at 3.5 % transfer tax. Requirement: very good creditworthiness and a household income that carries the instalment long term.

When is a follow-up financing / debt restructuring worthwhile?

If your fixed-interest period ends within the next 2–3 years, you should act now. In most cases switching banks (debt restructuring) is cheaper than a prolongation with your current bank. Even 0.5 % less interest can save thousands of euros over the remaining term. I compare free of charge for you.

Can I combine the listed-building depreciation with KfW?

Yes — in many cases the listed-building depreciation (§7i EStG) and the KfW energy loan 261 are combinable. This increases the financing advantage considerably: tax savings through depreciation + a low-interest KfW loan + a possible repayment grant. The exact combination depends on the property — I check this for you.

Besides KfW, is there state-level funding — and can I combine both?

Yes — almost all federal states have their own development banks with programmes that are often combinable with KfW: L-Bank in Baden-Württemberg, BayernLabo in Bavaria, NRW.BANK in North Rhine-Westphalia, WIBank in Hesse, SAB in Saxony (especially relevant for listed buildings in Leipzig/Dresden), IFB Hamburg, NBank in Lower Saxony and others. Combining both pots — KfW + state funding — can save considerably more. I check for each property which programmes apply and submit the applications in the right order.

How long does a financing commitment take?

With complete documents, a financing commitment usually takes 3 to 10 working days. I prepare all documents and submit them to the right bank in the best possible way. For time-critical purchase decisions I can also arrange a fast preliminary enquiry.

Your question not listed?

Send me a message on WhatsApp or book a 30-minute call — the initial consultation is free.

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Editorially responsible: Olga Nikushkina — owner, §34i GewO (German mortgage brokerage), adviser register D-W-132-ZUCB-95. Specialised in German property financing with an international dimension: non-residents, foreign-currency income, cross-border workers, expats. Siegfried Perini is entered in the German intermediary register under this licence as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice (§ 11a GewO), active in real estate since 1992. Not legal or tax advice.