From the team
The relocation
playbook.
Practical guides for expats and agencies navigating the German housing market.
Altbau vs elevator: you probably can't have both
High ceilings, original floors, a lift to every floor. The dream apartment in Germany. The reality is that these things almost never come in the same building.
The German apartment viewing: what actually happens
You get 20 minutes. The landlord is watching you the whole time. There are unwritten rules nobody mentions. Here's what to expect and how not to blow it.
Warm rent vs cold rent: the number in the listing is never what you pay
You budget for €1,200 and end up paying €1,550. Here's what Kaltmiete, Nebenkosten, and Warmmiete actually mean — and how to compare apartments honestly.
Why German landlords want a cover letter — and what to actually write
A one-page letter about who you are sounds absurd when you're competing for an apartment. It works anyway. Here's what to put in it and what to leave out.
Apartment hunting is a full-time job
Nobody warns you how much time and energy it actually takes. It's not a weekend project. It's weeks of sustained attention, and most people underestimate it badly.
How to Find an Apartment in Germany as a Foreigner
The German rental market has its own rules, its own paperwork, and its own vocabulary. Here's what actually matters before you start applying.