Multifunctional furniture is indispensable in small apartments. This can include sofa beds, foldaway beds or bunk beds. These pieces of furniture offer multiple uses and save valuable space. In addition, foldable pieces of furniture such as folding chairs or extendable tables, which can be easily stowed away or reduced in size again if required, can be...

Residential real estate stocks are currently performing significantly better than commercial real estate stocks. At 21.1 points, the basic sentiment for residential real estate shares remains at a high level in the first half of 2024. In the second half of 2023, it was still at 22.8 points. In contrast, the basic sentiment for commercial real estate shares is -7.2 points. In the second half of 2023, the basic sentiment was -10.7...

Opting for a semi-detached house brings both financial and practical benefits. One key advantage is that it is often more affordable than a detached single-family home. In addition, a semi-detached house offers the opportunity to live in one side of the house yourself and rent out the other. The rental income can help to pay off mortgages or other...

Has the introduction of new subsidies for replacing heating systems led to an increase in demand for heat pumps? The answers from the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, and the heating industry differ. "The subsidies, especially for heat pumps, are being accepted more and more," the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs told the Rheinische Post newspaper. The Federal Association...

Building owners have a period of five years after building acceptance to assert claims for defects. This warranty period allows builders to demand rectification in the event of defects that are attributable to planning or execution errors. Even if almost five years have already passed since acceptance and moving in, the construction company must still pay the costs for...

Screening elements such as a bamboo privacy fence or textile balcony coverings increase privacy on the balcony. They effectively shield you from prying eyes and contribute to a cozy atmosphere. Bamboo privacy fences or balcony coverings can be found in any DIY store. They are easy to attach to the balcony railing. An alternative option is the use of...

The housing industry faces the challenge of providing adequate housing for older people. Despite the increasing demand for age-appropriate housing, not enough companies have yet developed strategies for this target group. One of the reasons for this is that other issues dominate day-to-day business on housing markets that are in high demand. This is the conclusion of a study by...

Careful cost calculation and setting a realistic budget are crucial when building a house in order to avoid additional financing. Ancillary building costs must also be taken into account. To avoid unpleasant surprises during the construction process, builders should not only plan for obvious expenses such as materials and tradesmen's costs, but also...

A milestone has been reached in a project to develop a grid-supporting photovoltaic storage system. Under the coordination of the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAE), an innovative converter-storage unit is entering the demonstration phase, which is designed to smooth out power fluctuations in photovoltaic systems caused by cloud movement. After a three-year development phase, the...

If tenants want to barbecue in their garden or on their balcony, they should definitely take a look at the house rules and the tenancy agreement beforehand. The regional association "Haus & Grund Rheinland Westfalen" points this out. In some cases, barbecuing is completely prohibited. In residential complexes, barbecuing is often only permitted with electric barbecues to prevent fires....