Knowledge Hub
Practical articles about real estate, financing and decision-making with clear numbers.
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Common Area Electricity in Rental Agreements: What Landlords May Charge
Common area electricity can only be charged to tenants under certain conditions. We explain what matters in the rental agreement.
Who Is a Home of Their Own Suitable For?
Owning a home is not the right choice for everyone. Find out which personal and financial conditions matter and who truly benefits from property ownership.
Cash Flow Calculator for Property Investors: Calculate Your Real Estate Investment
Use our cash flow calculator to quickly and accurately determine the monthly net cash flow of a property. Analyse rental yield and investment returns now.
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The Leverage Effect in Real Estate: Why Debt Financing Increases Return on Equity
How the leverage effect works with financed real estate and why return on equity can significantly exceed that of stock investments – explained clearly and concisely.
Why Many People Build No Wealth Despite Good Income
Spending, inflation, weak planning and no long-term strategy: why income alone is not enough to build wealth.
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How Banks Really Check Whether You Get a Mortgage
Budget check, credit history, equity, income and property: how banks evaluate mortgage financing.
When Does an Investment Property Pay Off?
Rental yield, cash flow and return on equity explained simply: see whether an investment property makes sense.
Which Extra Costs Are Often Forgotten When Buying Property?
Notary, transfer tax, agent fees, renovation, kitchen, moving and reserves: these costs are often underestimated.
What Happens When Interest Rates Rise?
Rising interest rates increase monthly payments and reduce buying power. A simple guide to property financing.
Save tax with building depreciation
If you rent out a flat or house, you can deduct the acquisition cost of the building as an expense spread over its useful life. The straight-line rate depends on the year the building was completed.
- 2.5% per year if completed before 1925
- 2% per year if completed between 1925 and 2022
- 3% per year if completed in 2023 or later
With a free calcimo account you can calculate the depreciation for your property right away: with purchase price, acquisition costs, building share and a pro-rata first year.
Simplified presentation of straight-line building depreciation under Section 7(4) of the German Income Tax Act. Your actual circumstances and, if needed, professional tax advice are decisive for your tax return.