A current market analysis, conducted by ImmoScout24, differentiates regional preferences when searching for detached houses for sale in Germany. The study examines the preferred sizes for living and plot areas, as well as the expected price levels per square metre, among prospective buyers. The results show significant regional heterogeneity in the detached house market segment, which is shaped by specific local conditions.
The focus of demand is on detached houses with a living area between 120 and 140 square metres. This highlights a trend towards more compact living units, which appear more attractive to many interested parties in terms of affordability. Dr. Gesa Crockford, Managing Director of ImmoScout24, noted that over half of the purchasing demand on their portal is for detached houses with less than 150 square metres of living space. In contrast, there is a smaller proportion of such properties in the overall supply, leading to a faster sales duration for smaller houses compared to larger units.
The sought-after price level per square metre varies significantly between the federal states. Bavaria shows the highest sought-after price level with 5,038 EUR per square metre, followed by Hamburg with 4,849 EUR and Berlin with 4,634 EUR. At the lower end of the price scale is Saarland with a sought-after price of 1,722 EUR per square metre, followed by Saxony with 2,457 EUR and Rhineland-Palatinate with 2,480 EUR. These discrepancies underscore the different values and purchasing power in the individual regions.
Regarding living area, preferences vary within the aforementioned corridor of 120 to 141 square metres, such as 120 square metres in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or 141 square metres in Saarland. However, the desired plot sizes show a much greater regional dispersion. The range here extends from 481 square metres in Hesse to 1,778 square metres in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This leads to the peculiarity that in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, compared to other federal states, the smallest house in terms of area is sought on the largest plot of land.
The analysis confirms that the detached house market in Germany is highly regionalised. While higher prices per square metre are accepted in southern German federal states, in other regions, such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the availability of larger plot sizes combined with more compact living areas is at the forefront of buyers' interest. These findings are equally relevant for property developers and investors to address demand in the various markets and position appropriate offerings.
