Frequently asked questions

Of course, this is possible and is implemented by us on a daily basis and accepted by tax offices throughout Germany. The background to this is the so-called facts of a new tax situation, which gives you the option of claiming these expert opinions retrospectively.

This is of course possible and is implemented by us on a daily basis and accepted by tax offices throughout Germany. The background to this is the so-called facts of a new taxable event, which gives you the option of claiming these expert opinions retrospectively.

Approx. 3 to 4 weeks from commissioning and receipt of complete documents. Usually much faster, however.

Here you will find an overview of the documents that we usually require from you. You can upload the documents directly when placing the order or alternatively provide them afterwards by e-mail or other means.

• Floor plans (e.g. from the building file, partition plan, exposé or rental plans)
• Site plan (if available)
• Energy certificate (exceptions possible for commercial and listed properties)
• photos
  • Exterior view from the front (e.g. photo of the entire building from the street)
  • Exterior view from the rear (e.g. photo of the entire building from the garden or backyard, if possible)
  • Staircase (if available)
  • Windows (material and condition should be visible, e.g. wood vs. plastic vs. aluminum)
  • Bathrooms (condition of sanitary facilities and tiling should be visible)
  • Interior fittings (e.g. photos of rooms showing walls, doors, floors, ceilings, radiators, etc.)
  • Interior roof (if attic is unfinished and accessible)
  • Roof outside (e.g. from the side through roof windows or from the street with sufficient distance so that the type of roof covering can be recognized)
  • Heating system (e.g. photo of the central heating, gas floor heating, district heating transfer station or similar)
  • Damage / defects (if any)

All necessary documents as well as the free initial assessment can be found in our order form.

In the case of a rented condominium or apartment building, the main factors are the age of the building and the state of modernization. As a rule, we achieve good results for residential properties that have not been completely renovated and are more than 30 years old. In the case of commercial properties, an appraisal can be worthwhile even for properties that are 10-20 years old.

If you provide us with a few details about your property, we will be happy to give you a free initial assessment in advance. We will then give you a rough range of the expected remaining useful life in years. If the remaining useful life is less than 50 years (built after 1925) or 40 years (built before 1925), the appraisal fee usually pays for itself very quickly.

Step 1 - free initial assessment:

• Go to Check my property on our website
• Enter the parameters for the property and select "Free initial assessment of remaining useful life" in the last step
• Enter your e-mail address and telephone number if you like, then select "Send"

You will shortly receive the free initial assessment from us by e-mail. If it is worthwhile for you to commission us, this will take you to step 2:

Step 2 - Commissioning an expert appraisal:

• Please select the link we sent you in the free initial assessment
• There you will find the entries you have already made. Please complete these and select "Expert opinion on remaining useful life" in the last step
• A few more details will now be requested and you have the option of uploading relevant documents here.
• Once everything has been entered, select "Submit" and the request for an expert opinion has been made

If we need further documents / information from you, we will contact you.

If everything is complete, you will receive the draft report for review and - if adjustments are required - the final report.

As a rule, the determination of the useful life is based on Section 4 (3) sentence 1 of the Real Estate Valuation Ordinance (ImmoWertV). This is initially based on the age of the building. If significant modernization measures have been carried out or can be assumed to have been carried out on the valuation object, the building is "rejuvenated" by these measures.

Modernizations are, for example, measures that result in a significant improvement in living or other usage conditions or significant savings in energy or water. In detail, a number of circumstances of the building are assessed that influence the useful life from a technical or economic point of view.

You can conveniently calculate your remaining useful life in advance and yourself online

here

In addition to the year of construction and the type of property (condominium, apartment building, residential and commercial building, business, etc.), the degree of modernization (including windows, heating, insulation, etc.) is relevant. Damage and the question of "contemporary use" are also decisive. You are welcome to use our calculator for an initial assessment.

Our appraisers have university degrees (usually in construction/engineering, architecture or real estate management), certifications and years of experience with appraisals on the remaining economic life of real estate. As our core team cannot handle all appraisals alone and from a distance, we are supported by local freelance appraisers. They are familiar with our process and every appraisal they produce is reviewed by our core team.

Experts and appraisers with DIN EN ISO 17024 certification are part of our network and prepare BMF-compliant residual use appraisals for your rented property.

If the building documents and information are complete and meaningful, an on-site inspection can often be dispensed with. The decision on this depends on the individual case. This also depends on other factors, such as the type, size and complexity of the property. You can find more information on this here.

The fee is standardized and independent of the type of property. You can find our costs here.

You will receive the invoice together with the expert opinion, so you do not have to pay in advance. Payment is made by bank transfer.

Please understand that our accounting department will invoice the report after 4 weeks from the date of commissioning, unless a minimum number of documents are supplied. Of course, we are still interested in completing your report as soon as you provide us with the missing documents.

Of course, you can claim the costs of the expert opinion yourself as income-related expenses for tax purposes.

Guideline 7.4. paragraph 9 of the tax authorities regulates the following: "In the case of subsequent production costs for assets that are depreciated in accordance with Section 7 para. 1 , 2 or 4 sentence 2 EStG, the remaining useful life is to be re-estimated, taking into account the condition of the asset at the time the subsequent production work is completed. ^2Inthe cases of § 7 para. 4 sentence 2 EStG, it is not objectionable for reasons of simplification if the further depreciation is calculated according to the percentage rate previously applied."

This means that a new assessment would actually have to be made. For reasons of simplicity, however, this is generally not done.

Source: https://datenbank.nwb.de/Dokument/443548_7___4/#:~:text=(9)%201In%20the%20after%C3%A4t%20manufacturing%20costs,%20after%C3%A4t%20manufacturing%20work%20is%20to%20be%20reassessed.

This is of course possible and is implemented by us on a daily basis and accepted by tax offices throughout Germany. The background to this is the so-called facts of a new taxable event, which gives you the option of claiming these expert opinions retrospectively.