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Translations and Abbreviations of Real Estate Terminology
Property Investment abroad can be an adventure. It is not only a matter of language to cause misunderstandings and frustration but also the cultural difference regarding customs and practise. Working with international property investors as a first step providing a list of commonly used terms and abbreviations in the real estate market and their English translations has proved to be very helpful. This forum shall provide access to such a glossary and invite contributions at the same time.
Don't forget to pick up your FREE copy of the German English Property Glossary
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The German English Property Glossary
A growing tool
Some providers of property services in the German property market are capable and have experience working with international investors, with English spoken at a conversational level. To rely just on those with language capabilities at a professional level might be an inappropriate selection criteria with regard to service quality. It immensely narrows down the options for possible business partners to support property transactions .It is useful for the investor to make some investigations and search work independently. In this attempt the property investor will gather information and property offers from different sources including newspaper ads and internet research. Using ready available internet tools like Babelfish or an online dictionary like LEO might give a first impression of what is said but will not help with abbreviations and quite often produces ridiculous results. To help understand the main parts of property information we have produced a German-English Property Glossary which also includes abbreviations commonly used in German property ads and rental ads. It is an ongoing project that is constantly extended. We are currently focussing on terminology used by property managers in reports and performance figures provided by a vendor prior to a purchase.
It would not suit the format of an article like this to provide a full list, it will have to be limited to some example items to provide an impression of what can be expected:
Abbrev.--German term--English term
AB -- Altbau -- Period property
Aufz.-- Aufzug -- Lift
Kfz. -- Autostellplatz -- Car parking space
Bd -- Bad -- Bathroom
Bj. -- Baujahr -- Year of construction
BeK -- Betriebskosten -- Operating cost
BEZ -- Bezirk -- Borough, City District
BKM -- Brutto-Kaltmiete -- Gross Rent without heating
DG -- Dachgeschoss -- Penthouse apartment
The list is at the moment just over 100 items long and growing constantly. Also view Berlin Portfolio Ltd. - Property Glossary.
Language is only one of the obstacles facing an international investor. Especially with large numbers of private investors from UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Spain and Italy to only name a few origins, buying from one apartment to several apartment blocks, the need to bridge the cultural gaps is significant. It starts at the Purchase Phase, this Investment Management is usually accompanied by English speaking agents, lawyers etc., specialised on international investors. Once the property gets to the Operation of the Investment the fees are much smaller and investors will find less multilingual service providers like property managers and most certainly will receive reports in German. There are few professionals providing help at the operational end of the investment.
Requesting the free German English Property Glossary will be a useful aid for those that have already invested in Germany property and even more for those planning to make this exciting move. You will find the access to the complete German English Property Glossary on my website. All you need to do is register to get your copy by e-mail. Also staying registered will give you the benefit of revolving updates.
To make suggestions for inclusion in the glossary or ask for a translation please use the Guestbook further down.
I am a Berliner and active in the German property market for more than 25 years. Experienced as head of the German offices for a UK property consultancy I now own and operate Berlin Portfolio Ltd. www.berlin-portfolio.com. My international background and local expertise is an ideal combination to support international investors during purchase and operation.
I offer "Health Checks" and problem solving for non performing properties and service providers.
(c) Uwe Falkenberg
This work is licenced under a
Creative Commons Licence.
Articles on Real Estate Investment in Germany
Different aspects of Real Estate Investment in Germany are explained in these articles and tips and tools are provided.
- Real Estate Investment, Pre-Acquisition Phase - Information Gathering (Part2)
- Real Estate Investment, Pre-Acquisition Phase - Information Gathering (Part2)
- Property Investment in Germany: Berlin Property Auctions--- 5 steps to success
- Everyone looking for properties in the Berlin property market will sooner or later come across information about property auctions, private voluntary property auctions or forced court auctions / foreclosures. The focus is on the latter because this is where the real opportunities lie. There are various lists available and some agents are instructed by the banks involved to find sufficient bidders for the auction. This article will provide a step by step check list to pilot an investor especially a private investor through the thicket.
- Berlin Property - Cost of Property Management and the Best Way to Control it (Part 1)
- Every property investment needs a property management that is right for the property, right for the investor and right for the budget available. The requirements regarding qualification and quality are not discussed in this article and will be addressed in an upcoming publication. I will provide some examples fee payment models and then provide a fee span for the going rate for each model and an evaluation from the investor's viewpoint.
- Property Investment in Germany: Berlin edges towards property boom second time round
- BERLIN (AFP) ? Some of the cheapest housing of any major European city is attracting a wave of foreign buyers to the German capital, promising a new property boom after a false start after the fall of the Berlin Wall nearly 20 years ago.
- Property Appraisals for Investors
- A property investor will generally base his investment decision on this property appraisal that he does by himself (or gets done through someone).
Which Issues are most important
Make your choice
A new series of articles on The Do and The Don't of Property Investment in Germany is coming to the real estate market after years of market research and experience.
The articles will provide nuggets of tips and information for all phases of the property cycle.
There will also be Specials on items like Subsidised Property in Berlin. More comprehensive information will be available as an E-Book beginning of 2008.
So what is most important to you right now?
So stay tuned to this page for more information about the upcoming article series and the E-Book.
Suggest new words for the Glossary
German and/or English, help to grow the Glossary
Lensmaster
Amanda wrote
Wohnberechtigungsschein
Posted January 02, 2008
Lensmaster
Olivia wrote
Buying an apartment I came across MEA with a number. What could that be?
Posted December 14, 2007
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- Higlights and pitfalls in the booming German Real Estate Market, especially in the Berlin Property Market. Here you will find the warning signs for agent's tricks and how to avoid them and even turn them to your favour! Subscribe this Lense in a reader
- Some Pros From Berlin: The Best Propertyinvestment Ever
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- Real Estate Investment, Pre-Acquisition Phase - Part 1
- Real Estate Investment, Pre-Acquisition Phase - Part 1
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- Property Investment in Germany
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