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Property valuation before the sale – determining the optimum price

Reading time: 6 Min.

Would you like to sell your property in Berlin and are wondering what price to set for it? A well-founded property valuation before the sale is crucial to avoid giving away money or scaring off buyers with an inflated price. Especially in the current market situation – after temporary price falls due to higher interest rates, property prices in Berlin are now rising again – owners should realistically assess the value of their property. In the following, you will find out what is important when determining the value and how you can find the optimum sales price with the support of ADEN Immobilien.

Why evaluate before selling ?

Selling a property is usually one of the biggest financial transactions in an owner’s life. The right asking price forms the basis for a successful sale. If the price is set too high, prospective buyers will stay away – in Berlin, many sellers in 2022/23 experienced that they had to lower their asking price due to higher financing costs from buyers. On the other hand, if the price is too low, you risk a financial loss. An accurate valuation will help you save time and secure the maximum achievable proceeds. In short: before you advertise or instruct an estate agent, you should know exactly what your apartment or house is worth.

Tip: Do not base your decision solely on the asking prices on real estate portals. These often do not correspond to the actual sales prices and can give a false impression. An individual valuation provides more reliable figures.

Factors that influence real estate value

Several criteria determine the value of your Berlin property. You should know the most important factors:

  • Location: The macro-location (city, district) and micro-location (exact residential area, street) have a major influence on the price. A higher price can be achieved in a sought-after area with good infrastructure, transport links and attractive surroundings than in less desirable locations. Berlin as a whole is one of the A-cities with high demand, but there are also differences within the city. Find out about the value of your location – for example, old building districts in central locations often have higher prices per square meter than peripheral locations.
  • Property type and size: Whether it is a condominium, a single-family home or an apartment building plays a role. The living space is just as important. Make sure that you have calculated the living space correctly – mistakes are often made here. Rooms such as heated conservatories or indoor storage rooms may count as living space, while cellars and unheated attics do not. A larger living space does not automatically lead to a higher overall price, but the price per square meter often falls for very large properties as the target group of buyers becomes smaller.
  • Condition and fittings: The structural condition – such as the building fabric, technical status (electrics, plumbing, heating) and energy standard – has a considerable influence. A well-kept, well-maintained property is more attractive to buyers and fetches a better price. High-quality features (e.g. parquet flooring, modern fitted kitchen, balcony, elevator) also increase the value. If, on the other hand, the property is in need of renovation, prospective buyers will factor in a discount. So consider whether it makes sense to make improvements before selling. Sometimes it is worth repairing minor defects or repainting walls, for example, in order to make a well-kept impression – especially if the location or year of construction are not ideal.
  • Current market situation: External factors such as supply and demand on the market, interest rates and economic developments also have an impact on property values. There have recently been important developments here in Berlin: after the boom of recent years, the market cooled in 2022/2023 due to a sharp rise in interest rates on loans. Many prospective buyers could afford less, which slowed down the price curve. In 2024, however, there was already a trend reversal – the number of sales transactions rose significantly again. Around 18% more properties were sold in Berlin than in the previous year. With population figures continuing to grow and demand for housing remaining high, Berlin remains an attractive market. Initial data for 2025 even points to a slight increase in prices again (Berlin +4.9% in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year). For you as a seller, this means that demand is basically there, but buyers are now increasingly looking for good value for money. A fair market valuation is therefore more important than ever in order to attract enough interested parties and achieve a quick sale.

Estimate yourself or hire an expert?

Many owners initially toy with the idea of determining the value of their property themselves. Real estate portals, newspaper advertisements and comparative values from the neighborhood provide orientation. But be careful: every property is unique. Differences in location, floor, furnishings or even the view from the window can cause large price discrepancies. In addition, advertisements usually quote asking prices.

Whether these were achieved in the end often remains unknown. Without well-founded data, private sellers tend to overestimate the value of their property – it is not uncommon for their own purchase price from years ago or the emotional value to be factored in. If the asking price is too high, the result is that no buyer bites and the property becomes a “slow seller”. On the other hand, private individuals often lack the market insight to realistically assess the current price level – so they could be giving away a potential profit.

In short, you can gather information yourself as a first step, but you should definitely have your valuation checked by a professional afterwards. A professional valuation brings market knowledge and objectivity into play.

Professional valuation by a broker

An experienced real estate agent in Berlin knows the market prices and valuation factors from practical experience and can assess what price range is realistic for your property. Many estate agents – including ADEN Immobilien – offer owners a free property valuation. You should choose an estate agent who is transparent and provides clear reasons for the price determined. Ask them to explain how the price was arrived at.

Our advice: Don’t hesitate to ask for several offers. If an estate agent promises you an unusually high price that is significantly higher than other estimates, you should be skeptical – they may just be trying to win a contract. Reputable estate agents rely on data and experience rather than unrealistic promises.

How does ADEN Immobilien value real estate?

At ADEN Immobilien, every valuation is based on three pillars: a data-supported price analysis (using the latest real estate data software), market research on comparable properties in Berlin and a personal assessment by two of our qualified real estate experts. These three components result in a well-founded real estate valuation, which we explain to you in detail. This way, you know exactly how the proposed sales price is made up and how it is positioned in the current Berlin market environment.

depositphotos 334878900 stock photo different architecture colorful background 1

An old building in a good location and well-maintained condition can achieve a high value in Berlin. Professional estate agents take location, condition, size and market trends into account to determine the best possible price.

Find the optimum price – we support you!

A property valuation is not rocket science – but it does require professional know-how. Our recommendation to all private sellers in Berlin: Use the support of real estate professionals to be on the safe side. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes when it comes to pricing.

Would you like to know what your Berlin property is currently worth? Then use our free online valuation service: In just two minutes, you can use our valuation form to get an initial indication of the market value. You are also welcome to contact us directly – we are available for a personal valuation on site. Contact us and let us advise you without obligation! Together we will find the best price for your property. At ADEN Immobilien, we make sure that your sale in Berlin leads to the best possible result.

Frequently asked questions about property valuation before the sale

At ADEN Immobilien, the valuation is based on three elements: a data-based analysis with comparable properties in Berlin, in-depth market research and a personal assessment by our experienced real estate experts. You receive a transparent and comprehensible assessment of the current market value of your property.

At ADEN Immobilien, the first property valuation is free of charge and non-binding for owners. Whether it’s an online preliminary check or a personal appraisal on site – we offer you a professional assessment with no hidden costs.

An inflated asking price deters potential buyers and significantly extends the marketing time. The price often has to be lowered later, which in turn undermines the confidence of potential buyers. A realistic valuation from the outset generates more demand and usually leads to a better sales result.

Yes – smaller, targeted measures such as new wall colors, modern floor coverings or visual upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom can significantly increase sales opportunities. Whether and which renovations are worthwhile depends on the condition, the location and the target group. Our experts will be happy to advise you individually.

Yes, because incorrectly calculated living space can lead to unrealistic price estimates, we also check the stated living space during the valuation and point out possible corrections. Especially in Berlin, there are always discrepancies here – we help you to clarify the situation.

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