Buying in Bonn
Current listings and discreetly sold properties, honest advice on neighbourhoods, and a guide through viewings, financing and the notary appointment.
International clients
Your English-speaking real estate agent in Bonn
Bonn is home to the UN, DHL, Deutsche Telekom, GIZ and a large international community – and buying or selling property here follows rules that are hard to navigate in a foreign language. I guide you through the whole process in English – that is part of my service as your agent. And once the keys are yours, I offer a separate support service for everything that comes with owning a home in Germany.
What I do for you
Brokerage in English – and support that goes further
Selling from anywhere
Valuation, documents, marketing through Engel & Völkers and a single point of contact in Bonn – even if you have already moved abroad.
Financing and contracts
Which banks lend to international buyers and what the purchase contract, land register and notary appointment mean for you – explained as part of my brokerage service, before you sign anything. I do not give legal or financial advice; where you need it, I refer you to English-speaking professionals.
After the purchase: settling in
Permits and energy rules for your renovation, surveyors, energy consultants and reliable tradespeople, appointments with authorities and utilities, registrations and the paperwork of ownership – as a separately quoted service, independent of any purchase.
About me
Mia van Ooyen – your contact in Bonn, in English
Buying and selling in Bonn – explained in English, handled in German
Every step of a German property transaction happens in German: the exposé, the bank’s documents, the notary’s contract, the land registry, the letters from the tax office and the utility companies. As your agent I translate the process for you – not just the words, but what they mean for your decision. You always know what happens next, what it costs and what you are signing.
As a buyer, you get access to the current listings I handle through Engel & Völkers in Bonn and to properties that are sold discreetly before they are advertised. I tell you honestly which neighbourhoods fit your commute, schools and budget – from Beuel and Oberkassel on the right bank of the Rhine to Bad Godesberg near the UN campus. Financing is often the biggest hurdle for international buyers: I connect you with English-speaking financing advisors and banks that lend to expats, explain what they will ask for and keep the purchase and the loan on the same timeline. Through negotiation, the purchase contract and the notary appointment, I stay by your side.
As a seller, you get a realistic valuation, professional marketing and a single point of contact who coordinates everything in Bonn while you may already be living somewhere else. Many of my international clients sell from abroad; the process is designed for that.
Tailored support beyond the sale
Owning a home in Germany brings a second set of questions that no bank and no notary answers: Which renovations need a permit? What does the energy certificate mean, and do I have to upgrade the heating? Which tradespeople are reliable, and how do I brief them without speaking German? What do I have to register, insure and declare – and which of the letters in my mailbox actually need a reply?
For homeowners who want more than brokerage, I offer a personal support service under my own name, independent of Engel & Völkers and independent of whether you bought through me. It starts once a purchase is completed – or whenever you already own or rent a home in Bonn – and can include: orientation on the German rules that apply to your property, coordinating surveyors, energy consultants and tradespeople and briefing them in German, accompanying you to appointments with authorities and utility companies, interpreting, and help with registrations, forms and the letters that come with owning a home. It does not include finding or negotiating a property, the purchase contract, the notary appointment or arranging financing – those are part of the brokerage – and it is not legal, tax or financial advice.
The support service is quoted per hour or as a package before we start and is invoiced by me directly – it is never linked to the price of a property or to a purchase.
- Everything explained in English: exposé, contract, notary, bank requirements – included in my brokerage service, at no extra cost.
- Local knowledge: I live in Bonn-Beuel and work across the city – Beuel, Oberkassel, Bad Godesberg, the city centre.
- Engel & Völkers network: international reach for sellers, access to unadvertised properties for buyers.
- One person, start to finish: no handovers to colleagues, one number to call.
How it works
From the first call to the keys
Whether you are buying, selling or need support with a property you already own – it starts with a conversation.
Initial call
We talk about your situation – buying, selling, relocating, renovating – and about what you need. Free and without obligation.
Clear proposal
Brokerage follows the usual terms – there is nothing extra to pay for guidance in English. If, after the purchase, you want support with renovation, tradespeople, authorities or paperwork, we define the scope together and you receive an individual quote before anything starts.
One point of contact
During the purchase I coordinate viewings, valuations and documents and keep you informed in English at every step.
Contracts, notary and handover
I explain what the purchase contract and the bank's requirements mean for the process, prepare you for the notary appointment, arrange an interpreter if required, and stay with you through payment and handover.
Contact
Let's talk about your move
Tell me briefly what you are planning – I will get back to you personally, in English, usually within one business day.
Phone
+49 155 11397720
+49 155 11397720
Office
Rhenusallee 50, 53227 Bonn-Beuel
Rhenusallee 50, 53227 Bonn-Beuel
Send me a message
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Questions & answers
Questions international buyers and sellers ask
Can a foreigner buy property in Germany?
Yes. Germany places no restrictions on property purchases by foreign nationals, whether you live in Germany or abroad, and whether you are an EU citizen or not. You do not need a residence permit to own a home. The purchase contract must be notarised by a German notary, and you will need a German tax number for the property transfer tax. Financing is the practical hurdle: German banks usually ask for a larger down payment from buyers without a permanent residence status. I can point you to lenders and advisors who work with international clients.
What are the purchase costs when buying a house or apartment in Bonn?
On top of the purchase price, expect roughly 10 to 12 percent in additional costs in Bonn (North Rhine-Westphalia): 6.5 percent property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer), about 1.5 to 2 percent for notary and land registry, and the buyer's share of the brokerage fee, which is usually 3.57 percent including VAT. Renovation, moving and financing costs come on top.
Can I get a mortgage in Germany as a foreigner?
Usually yes, but the conditions depend on your status. Buyers with a German employment contract and a residence permit are treated much like German buyers; buyers without residence in Germany are typically asked for more equity – often 30 to 40 percent of the price plus the purchase costs – and a smaller circle of banks will lend. Documents are requested in German and must be complete before the notary appointment. I can name English-speaking financing advisors in Bonn who work with international clients, and as your agent I keep the purchase timeline realistic for your bank's process.
How long does buying a home in Germany take?
Once you have found a property and your financing is confirmed, the notary appointment usually takes place within two to four weeks. After signing, the notary registers a priority notice in the land register, the property transfer tax is assessed, and you pay the purchase price – typically four to eight weeks after the appointment. You receive the keys on payment; full registration as owner in the land register can take a few more months but does not affect your right to move in.
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Germany?
Not necessarily. Unlike in many countries, the German notary is a neutral official who drafts the contract, explains it to both parties and handles the registration. Notaries are required to read the entire contract aloud at the appointment. You are entitled to an interpreter if you do not speak German well enough – I help you arrange one and explain what to expect beforehand. If you want independent legal advice, I can name English-speaking lawyers in Bonn; I do not give legal advice myself.
What does the support service for international clients include?
It is a personal service under Mia van Ooyen's own name, independent of Engel & Völkers, for the practical side of owning a home in Bonn: understanding the German rules that apply to your property, coordinating tradespeople, surveyors and energy consultants, accompanying you to appointments with authorities and utilities, interpreting, and help with registrations and paperwork. It starts after a purchase is completed or for a home you already own. It does not include finding or negotiating a property, the purchase contract, the notary appointment or financing – those are part of the brokerage – and it is not legal, tax or financial advice. The scope is agreed together and quoted per hour or as a package before anything starts.
Can you help me sell my Bonn property when I leave Germany?
Yes – this is one of the most common situations I handle for international clients. Postings end, families move on, and the house or apartment in Bonn has to be sold, often from abroad. I value your property, prepare the documents, market it through Engel & Völkers and coordinate viewings, the notary appointment and the handover, so that you can complete the sale without travelling back for every step.