Where the land for sale comes from
The land on offer comes from private real estate auction houses, the Grundstücksauktionen, which organise public sales in several major German cities. Some are held in the room, others take place entirely online for several weeks before a live final phase led by a licensed auctioneer. You will find building plots, agricultural land, recreational land or plots from estates and assets being liquidated. Each property is presented with a description, the Exposé, which sets out the nature of the land, its location and any known constraints. Court-ordered forced sales, the Zwangsversteigerung, also exist in Germany, but they are not yet listed on Bidorado.
Checks before bidding
Read the Exposé and the attached documents: land register extract, Grundbuchauszug, energy certificate where applicable, easements and encumbrances, Baulasten. Check the plot's zoning, its buildability and its access, because a non-buildable or landlocked plot changes the value of the lot. Each property has a starting price, Auktionslimit or Mindestgebot, and the adjudication, Zuschlag, is recorded by a notary present at the sale, which constitutes the purchase contract. Budget for the full cost: buyer's commission on a sliding scale by price, VAT included, then transfer tax of 3.5 to 6.5% depending on the Land, notary fees and land register registration. A financial guarantee, Bietungssicherheit, or proof of funds may be required to bid.
Viewings, bidding and what happens after purchase
Viewings are often possible before the sale, by appointment with the auction house. You can bid in person, by phone, in writing or online depending on how the sale is organised. A foreign buyer, whether an individual or a company, can buy property in Germany without any special authorisation. After the adjudication, the notary records the agreement and the purchase formalities continue with the seller and their notary. There is no VAT on the price of a property: tax applies to the acquisition costs. Have a German notary or lawyer review the contract and check the land register before you commit.