What procedure is recommended when buying a house?

Hello,

since we have now had our second child, it is getting a bit cramped in our 60sqm apartment and I want to move into a house. Since I have no experience at all, I am just asking the general question here about how to proceed best. What are the points of contact? Do I just have to look on websites like immobilienscout24 or will I get better offers if I hire real estate agents or inquire with other institutions?

Best regards Kilian

The mentioned internet portal is definitely the best place to get a good overview in general. Besides that, you can check websites of local agents, local banks like Sparkasse and Volksbank, and the classifieds of local weekly newspapers. Do not hire any agent. They will just take money out of your pocket.

I also first look on Immoscout, meanwhile also in the "Käseblättchen", Amtsanzeiger or similar. Ebay Kleinanzeigen also offers some options. I have also tried it myself with a newspaper ad. Additionally, there are often signs with information at new construction projects where you can purchase the new buildings.

Yes, feel free to review everything and ask around among friends and acquaintances. Do you already have a budget? How do the finances look?

And drive around with open eyes. Here, signs with phone numbers are usually hanging on garden fences or the like when a house is for sale.

What is also not wrong is to get in touch with the local real estate departments of the banks. Here it is at least the case that, for example, S-Immo first sends new offers to their "customers" whose search profile might match the property. Only afterwards does it go into marketing in the branches or online.