Lawns: Effective watering techniques in summer and winter 

Good watering is the basis for a healthy lawn. Watering in the early morning or late evening hours is optimal to maximize the efficiency of water use. This also reduces the evaporation of water on the surface before it can reach the roots. It also minimizes the risk of lawn diseases. The right amount of water depends...

Real estate: what unmarried couples need to know 

Unmarried couples purchasing property together do not enjoy the same legal protections as married couples. It is therefore crucial to take legal precautions to avoid unexpected difficulties. Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall points this out. It recommends dealing with three main issues in particular: entry in the land register, the legal security...

House extension: how to plan successfully 

Extending a house with an extension offers many design options and increases its value. Careful planning is essential before construction begins. This includes deciding what type of extension is to be realized - whether an additional room, a conservatory or a granny apartment. It is also important to consult with an architect in order to adapt the room planning optimally to the...

Heat pumps: they dominate in new buildings 

In 2023, 64.6 percent of new residential buildings in Germany were equipped with heat pumps as their primary heating source. This proportion has more than doubled since 2014. The use of heat pumps is particularly widespread in detached and semi-detached houses at 68.9 percent, while 41.1 percent of multi-family houses use this technology. This is according to a statement from the Statistical...

Neighborhood dispute: Tit for tat 

Hedge owners whose own plants also exceed the statutory heights may not assert any reduction claims against their neighbors. This is the result of a ruling by the Frankenthal Regional Court (AZ: 2 S 85/23). In this case, this legal principle was applied due to a dispute between two neighbors in Ludwigshafen who both had hedges that were too high. One...

Cooking: Using apps to control the appliances 

Everyday life can be made considerably easier thanks to smart technologies. Volker Irle, Managing Director of the working group Die Moderne Küche, emphasizes how the integration of smart appliances enriches the cooking experience. Appliances can be conveniently controlled via smartphone or tablet, making everyday kitchen work easier. Innovative functions such as camera monitoring in the oven or...

Investment market: residential real estate is in demand 

Investors plan to invest 63.8 billion euros in the European residential real estate sector over the next three years. Almost half of the investors surveyed (48 %) would like to increase the proportion of residential real estate in their portfolios by 2026. This was the result of a survey conducted by Savills and Savills Investment Management. Multi-family houses and student accommodation are the preferred...

Prefabricated houses: advantages and disadvantages 

Prefabricated houses are becoming increasingly popular because they can be built quickly. Nowadays, they also offer individual design options. Builders can incorporate their personal preferences into the design and, for example, have modern adaptations made to facades or interiors. Different types of prefabricated houses allow...

Photovoltaics: systems with storage 

Photovoltaic systems with connected battery storage offer the decisive advantage of increasing independence from the public power grid. Users can cover most of their electricity needs themselves by storing solar power generated during the day and using it as required. This not only significantly reduces energy costs, but also improves the energy efficiency of the home.

Resolutions: Effective even without concrete figures 

Resolutions on the levying of a special contribution are valid even if they do not state the exact amount. However, owners must be able to calculate this themselves. This was recently decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH; V ZR 132/23). In this case, a community of condominium owners wanted to conduct a lawsuit. The owners decided with...

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