Expert Articles
WELLHÖNER
Expert Knowledge from Mülheim Real Estate Agents

Expert Articles

Our expert articles bring together more than 30 years of real estate experience from Mülheim an der Ruhr, Essen, Duisburg and Oberhausen. Whether property valuation according to ImmoWertV, WEG management, tenancy law or modernisation – here you will find well-founded expertise for owners, buyers and landlords in the Ruhr region.

Category
Estate Agents in Mülheim: Choosing the Right Agent
Guide
8 min

Estate Agents in Mülheim: Choosing the Right Agent

Anyone looking to buy or sell a property in Mülheim quickly faces a question: use an estate agent or not? This guide helps you understand the market and find the right agent.

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Finding the Right Agent for Your Apartment Sale
Guide
9 min

Finding the Right Agent for Your Apartment Sale

How do I find an agent to sell my apartment? Many owners ask themselves this question and then face an unmanageable selection of providers. Access to the profession is open, the number of agents high. This guide shows which qualifications and criteria you should check before you sign.

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Business Parks 150–300 m² Report
Market Trends
2 min

Business Parks 150–300 m² Report

Market report 2026: Development of small-scale business parks with 150–300 m² units in Germany. Analysis with rent levels, SWOT and forecast to 2030.

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Managing Listed Buildings
Management
3 min

Managing Listed Buildings

Managing listed buildings: approval requirements, specialised tradespeople, documentation obligations and tax advantages of listed-building depreciation.

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ESG in Property Management
Sustainability & ESG
5 min

ESG in Property Management

ESG in property management: What sustainability means for owners, why stranded assets threaten value and how the CO2KostAufG affects your property.

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Land Reference Value Explained
Valuation
6 min

Land Reference Value Explained

The land reference value is a key basis for property valuation under ImmoWertV. Learn how it is determined and its impact on the market value of your property.

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Energy Performance Certificate Obligation
Energy & Law
5 min

Energy Performance Certificate Obligation

Since the Energy Efficiency Directive, energy performance certificates have been indispensable for sale and letting. Find out which certificate type.

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WEG Management: Rights and Duties of the
Management
7 min

WEG Management: Rights and Duties of the

The WEG manager is the heart of an owners association. We examine their statutory duties, liability limits and what owners should consider when choosing a manager.

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Rent Brake in the Ruhr Region
Letting
8 min

Rent Brake in the Ruhr Region

The rent brake applies in many cities – but what about the Ruhr region? Legal basis, exceptions and consequences for landlords.

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Modernisation: Which Measures Increase
Value Enhancement
8 min

Modernisation: Which Measures Increase

Not every modernisation is equally worthwhile. We show which energy-related and structural measures bring the greatest value increase and how you can pass.

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Additional Purchase Costs: What Property
Purchase & Finance
6 min

Additional Purchase Costs: What Property

Notary, property transfer tax, agent – additional purchase costs quickly add up to 10–12% of the purchase price. We list all items transparently so you can.

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Loft Conversion: Approval and Value Enhancement
Value Enhancement
8 min

Loft Conversion: Approval and Value Enhancement

A loft conversion creates living space and increases value. Building law requirements, approval process, costs and value enhancement.

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Heritable Building Right: Advantages and
Purchase & Finance
6 min

Heritable Building Right: Advantages and

The heritable building right facilitates property purchase without buying land – but is not suitable for everyone. We compare heritable building right and.

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Asset Value
Valuation

Asset Value

The asset value refers to the use value of land and properties. Unlike the market value and the income value, it is not dependent on current market events.

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Land Reference Value
Valuation

Land Reference Value

The land reference value corresponds to an average value for plots in a municipality, an area or a street. Decisive factors are regional purchase prices of.

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Advisory Board
Management

Advisory Board

Members of the owners association are free to elect an advisory board that assists the manager in a supportive capacity (§ 29 WEG).

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Property Leasing
Purchase & Finance

Property Leasing

Not only vehicles, but also residential and commercial properties can be leased. The leasing grantor makes a property available to the lessee for a.

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Owners Association
Management

Owners Association

Anyone who becomes a member of an owners association by purchasing a condominium should know the various organs of a WEG and their tasks.

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Property Valuation
Valuation

Property Valuation

Property valuation refers to the assessment of buildings and land, with a distinction between market value, asset value or mortgage lending value.

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Apartments in Mülheim: Find/Evaluate
Purchase Advice
6 min

Apartments in Mülheim: Find/Evaluate

Apartment in Mülheim an der Ruhr: find, evaluate, sell or let. Which factors determine the value and which mistakes owners should avoid when selling or letting.

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Local or National Real Estate Agent?
Sales
10 min

Local or National Real Estate Agent?

Local or national real estate agent? A fact-based decision guide with clear criteria and questions to determine which type of agent fits your property.

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Energy Retrofits: A Guide for Owners
Sustainability & ESG
5 min

Energy Retrofits: A Guide for Owners

Energy retrofits: Which measures make economic sense, what legal requirements apply and how to use subsidies correctly for your property.

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Tenancy Law in the Ruhr Region
Management
4 min

Tenancy Law in the Ruhr Region

Tenancy law in the Ruhr region: Regional peculiarities regarding rent indices, the rent brake and decorative repairs for landlords in Mülheim and Essen.

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Value Enhancement via Modernisation
Valuation
6 min

Value Enhancement via Modernisation

Value enhancement through modernisation: Which measures deliver the highest value increase, how to optimise costs for tax purposes and which mistakes to avoid.

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Understanding the Declaration of Division
Owners' Academy
4 min

Understanding the Declaration of Division

What does a WEG's declaration of division govern? Private property, common property, exclusive usage rights and cost allocation explained simply.

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Understanding the Resolution Register (Beschlus
Owners' Academy
3 min

Understanding the Resolution Register (Beschlus

The resolution register under Section 24 of the German Condominium Act (WEG): why the chronological record of all WEG resolutions is legally so important.

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The Annual Budget (Wirtschaftsplan) Explained
Owners' Academy
3 min

The Annual Budget (Wirtschaftsplan) Explained

What a WEG's annual budget (Wirtschaftsplan) contains, how it differs from the annual statement of accounts, and what owners should watch for when reviewing it.

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Special Assessments (Sonderumlage) Explained
Owners' Academy
3 min

Special Assessments (Sonderumlage) Explained

What a special assessment is, when it is decided, how it differs from the regular HOA fee, and how owners can avoid it.

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The Property Manager's Duties for the Owners' Association
Owners' Academy
3 min

The Property Manager's Duties for the Owners' Association

An overview of the property manager's duties for the owners' association: annual budget, annual statement of accounts, owners' meeting and reserve fund management under Sections 18–29 of the German Condominium Act (WEG) – and what is often mistakenly assumed to be included.

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Reference

Real Estate Glossary A–Z

Key terms briefly defined – with a direct link to the full expert article.

A

Depreciation (AfA)

Tax depreciation of the building value over its useful life – 2 % p.a. for buildings from 1925, 3 % before.

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Elevator

Strong value driver in apartment buildings – can increase the purchase price by up to 20 %.

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Additional Purchase Costs: What Property

Notary, property transfer tax, agent – additional purchase costs quickly add up to 10–12% of the purchase price. We list all items transparently so you can.

To article

Asset Value

The asset value refers to the use value of land and properties. Unlike the market value and the income value, it is not dependent on current market events.

To article

Advisory Board

Members of the owners association are free to elect an advisory board that assists the manager in a supportive capacity (§ 29 WEG).

To article

Apartments in Mülheim: Find/Evaluate

Apartment in Mülheim an der Ruhr: find, evaluate, sell or let. Which factors determine the value and which mistakes owners should avoid when selling or letting.

To article
B

BEG (Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings)

Bundles funding for heating and buildings. Application must be submitted before work begins.

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Land reference value

Benchmark value for land prices determined by expert committees – basis for property valuation.

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Business Parks 150–300 m² Report

Market report 2026: Development of small-scale business parks with 150–300 m² units in Germany. Analysis with rent levels, SWOT and forecast to 2030.

To article
D

Loft conversion

Creates new living space without land consumption. One of the most profitable value-enhancement measures.

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Listed buildings

Properties under monument protection – special obligations but tax advantages and intrinsic value.

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E

Energy certificate

Mandatory for sale or letting since May 2025. Demand certificate is becoming the standard.

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Energy retrofit

Measures to improve energy efficiency – boiler replacement, insulation, windows. Often eligible for funding.

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Heritable building right

Time-limited, real right to build or use a building on someone else's land.

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Maintenance expenses

Costs to maintain proper condition – immediately tax-deductible (e.g. repairs).

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ESG

Environmental, Social, Governance – criteria for sustainable and responsible property management.

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ESG in Property Management

ESG in property management: What sustainability means for owners, why stranded assets threaten value and how the CO2KostAufG affects your property.

To article

Energy Performance Certificate Obligation

Since the Energy Efficiency Directive, energy performance certificates have been indispensable for sale and letting. Find out which certificate type.

To article

Energy Retrofits: A Guide for Owners

Energy retrofits: Which measures make economic sense, what legal requirements apply and how to use subsidies correctly for your property.

To article
G

GEG (Building Energy Act)

Regulates energy requirements for buildings. Heating obligation when replacing old oil/gas boilers.

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Real estate transfer tax

Tax on property purchase. In NRW 6.5 % of the purchase price.

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H

Property management

Management of properties – commercial, technical and legal administration for owners and WEG.

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Production costs

Costs that improve the property beyond its original condition – capitalise and depreciate.

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Heritable Building Right: Advantages and

The heritable building right facilitates property purchase without buying land – but is not suitable for everyone. We compare heritable building right and.

To article
I

Real estate leasing

Transfer of property use in exchange for ongoing lease payments – alternative to buying and renting.

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Property valuation

Determination of market value according to ImmoWertV – comparative, income or cost approach.

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K

Cap limit

Limits rent increases for existing contracts to 20 % within three years (§ 558 BGB).

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KfW funding

State grants and loans for energy renovation and home ownership – up to 20 % of costs.

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L

Land Reference Value Explained

The land reference value is a key basis for property valuation under ImmoWertV. Learn how it is determined and its impact on the market value of your property.

To article

Loft Conversion: Approval and Value Enhancement

A loft conversion creates living space and increases value. Building law requirements, approval process, costs and value enhancement.

To article

Land Reference Value

The land reference value corresponds to an average value for plots in a municipality, an area or a street. Decisive factors are regional purchase prices of.

To article

Local or National Real Estate Agent?

Local or national real estate agent? A fact-based decision guide with clear criteria and questions to determine which type of agent fits your property.

To article
M

Rent brake

New-contract rent may be at most 10 % above the local comparative rent. Applies across the Ruhr region.

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Tenancy law Ruhr region

Regionally differing practice regarding rent indices, rent brake and decorative repairs.

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Rent index

Overview of local rents. A qualified rent index is recognised in court.

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Modernisation

Measures that increase living value or energy efficiency – can be passed on to the rent.

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Modernisation surcharge

Passing on modernisation costs to rent – limited to 8 % of annual net rent (§ 559 BGB).

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Managing Listed Buildings

Managing listed buildings: approval requirements, specialised tradespeople, documentation obligations and tax advantages of listed-building depreciation.

To article

Modernisation: Which Measures Increase

Not every modernisation is equally worthwhile. We show which energy-related and structural measures bring the greatest value increase and how you can pass.

To article
O

Owners Association

Anyone who becomes a member of an owners association by purchasing a condominium should know the various organs of a WEG and their tasks.

To article
P

Property Management Costs in Mülheim

How much does property management cost in Mülheim? We explain pricing models, typical costs per unit and what owners should look for when choosing a manager.

To article

Property Leasing

Not only vehicles, but also residential and commercial properties can be leased. The leasing grantor makes a property available to the lessee for a.

To article

Property Valuation

Property valuation refers to the assessment of buildings and land, with a distinction between market value, asset value or mortgage lending value.

To article
R

Rent Brake in the Ruhr Region

The rent brake applies in many cities – but what about the Ruhr region? Legal basis, exceptions and consequences for landlords.

To article
S

Cost approach (Sachwert)

One of three valuation methods – determines value from production costs less age depreciation.

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Decorative repairs

Painting, wallpapering etc. on move-out. Rigid schedule without condition check is invalid (BGH 2018).

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Special Assessments (Sonderumlage) Explained

What a special assessment is, when it is decided, how it differs from the regular HOA fee, and how owners can avoid it.

To article
T

Tenancy Law in the Ruhr Region

Tenancy law in the Ruhr region: Regional peculiarities regarding rent indices, the rent brake and decorative repairs for landlords in Mülheim and Essen.

To article

The Annual Budget (Wirtschaftsplan) Explained

What a WEG's annual budget (Wirtschaftsplan) contains, how it differs from the annual statement of accounts, and what owners should watch for when reviewing it.

To article

The Property Manager's Duties for the Owners' Association

An overview of the property manager's duties for the owners' association: annual budget, annual statement of accounts, owners' meeting and reserve fund management under Sections 18–29 of the German Condominium Act (WEG) – and what is often mistakenly assumed to be included.

To article
U

Understanding the Declaration of Division

What does a WEG's declaration of division govern? Private property, common property, exclusive usage rights and cost allocation explained simply.

To article

Understanding the Resolution Register (Beschlus

The resolution register under Section 24 of the German Condominium Act (WEG): why the chronological record of all WEG resolutions is legally so important.

To article
V

Comparative rent

Local rent for comparable apartments – upper limit for the rent brake.

To article

Advisory board

Body elected by the WEG to support and supervise the manager.

To article

Value Enhancement via Modernisation

Value enhancement through modernisation: Which measures deliver the highest value increase, how to optimise costs for tax purposes and which mistakes to avoid.

To article
W

Heat recovery

Ventilation system that can reduce ventilation heat loss by up to 80 %.

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Value enhancement

Increase in property value through modernisation, renovation or loft conversion.

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Owners' association (WEG)

Association of apartment owners of a building – jointly manages common property.

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Living Space Ordinance (WoFlV)

Regulates which areas count as living space – only areas above 2.00 m height count fully.

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WEG Management: Rights and Duties of the

The WEG manager is the heart of an owners association. We examine their statutory duties, liability limits and what owners should consider when choosing a manager.

To article

Wellhöner Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG points out that our expert articles serve solely to provide information on various topics in the real estate industry. The contents are neither legal advice nor should they be understood as such. No guarantee is given for accuracy and completeness.

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