Bonn Property Market and Real Estate Guide

(Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Birthplace of Beethoven, Bonn is a fine city on the River Rhine and is situated not far south of Cologne. As capital of the former West Germany, this city has plenty of charm and appeal for both buyers and renters, with its small city feel and attractive districts radiating outwards from the city centre to Bonn Forest in the south.

Bonn is a famous university town and is loaded with students, cafés and bars, while also offering a profusion of green areas. The Altstadt is a good area to rent and is in the thick of it, while Beuel is on the eastern banks of the Rhine and has more of a laid-back feel. Other popular areas to rent and buy here include Poppelsdorf, a fashionable residential neighbourhood with old houses; Endenich, home to grand buildings and theatres; and Ippendorf, amid Bonn Forest.

Foreigners can buy houses and apartments without restriction anywhere in Germany, and although Bonn is relatively expensive, it is cheaper than nearby Cologne.

Renting Serviced Apartments

Most apartments in Bonn come unfurnished, yet more expensive serviced apartments with kitchen cabinets, curtains, fridge, TV and other fixtures and fittings are available. Living and dining rooms are counted when speaking of rooms, so a '3-Zimmer' apartment may have just one bedroom, a living room and a dining room, rather than three bedrooms.

Making use of a real estate agent is the best bet for renting serviced apartments in Bonn. They generally charge a couple of months' rent for the privilege, along with a deposit, and will have you sign a six month or yearly contract.

Buying Apartments and Houses

Land is at a premium in Bonn as it is a relatively small city, yet it is cheaper than in many of the southern cities, such as Stuttgart and Munich. Property prices are on par with Cologne in the inner city where apartments are the norm, yet cheaper in the surrounding districts where shop houses and detached homes thrive.

There is no restriction on foreigners buying in Bonn. If you are planning on getting a mortgage, you may have to pay a substantial deposit, but this is the norm with buying in any country. There are various taxes and charges to bear in mind when buying in Bonn, including transfer tax, the agents' commission, and a notary fee. Figure on about ten percent on top of the property.

Real Estate Agents

Unless you speak fluent German, it is best to go through a real estate agent when buying or renting in Bonn. Fees are generally negotiable for agents and lawyers and there are English-speaking staff available.

Examples of local real estate agents:

BONACCURA GmbH
Address: Rochusstrasse 65, Duisdorf, Bonn, D-53123, Germany
Tel: +49 0228 964 880
Email: info@bonaccura.de
Website: www.bonaccura.de
Bonaccura has over 20 years of experience in land, houses and apartments in Bonn.

E-rent
Address: Aachenerstr 40-44, Cologne, D-50674, Germany
Tel: +49 0228 659 195
Email: e-rent.bonn@e-rent.de
Website: www.bonn.e-rent.de/en
With its head office in nearby Cologne and properties in Bonn and Dusseldorf, E-rent is one of the best options for renting serviced apartments in the west.

Gessler Immobilien GmbH
Address: Argelanderstrasse 71, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
Tel: +49 0228 289 3372
Email: Vermietung@Gessler.tv
Website: www.immobilien-in-bonn.de/index_eng.php
Gessler Immobilien has years of experience in selling and leasing residential and commercial property in this part of Germany.