Banks are becoming more cautious when granting loans to house builders. This development is predicted by the auditing and consulting organization EY based on a recent analysis. "The tide has turned on the real estate market: The sharp rise in interest rates is curbing demand for real estate loans, and properties whose prices are set to rise by 35 percent between Q1 2019 and mid-2022 appear...

According to the Association of Private Builders (VPB), owners should promote biodiversity in home gardens and avoid stone deserts. The VPB also provides some tips on how this can be achieved. For example, owners should opt for insect-friendly hedges with plants such as red dogwood, field maple or hornbeam instead of cherry laurel and thuja hedges. This is because the latter are...

The Free State of Bavaria wants to become a modern digital state with the help of so-called "digital twins". A "digital twin" is the mapping of an object from the real world into the virtual world. The aim is to simulate various processes with the help of digital twins. These can be situations from road traffic, for example. With the help of the...

A case in which a bunch of grapes played a decisive role has now made it to the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) (VI ZR 1283/20). In November 2018, a customer wanted to go shopping in a furniture store in Kiel. She slipped on a bunch of grapes lying on the floor, fell and suffered such serious injuries that she ultimately had to have a hip endoprosthesis implanted...

Modular concepts are currently the trend in upholstered furniture. The Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) points this out. The furniture is particularly flexible. For example, elements can be rearranged and redesigned. This is possible, for example, with sofas with several movable elements, chairs with interchangeable legs or sofas that can be...

Wolfsburg, Ulm and Heidelberg are considered the most sustainable cities in Germany. This is according to a sustainability index compiled by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) on behalf of ImmoScout24 and Wirtschaftswoche. The index analyzed the economic, ecological and social sustainability of over 70 independent cities in Germany. Various factors were taken into...

Improvements to the framework conditions for new construction, special depreciation for affordable rental apartments in tight housing markets and more incentives for home ownership - this is what the German Building Materials Association, the Federation of the German Construction Industry, the Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts call for in their position paper...

Ten municipalities that are particularly committed to climate protection have each received prize money of 25,000 euros in the "Climate Active Municipality 2022" competition. In the "Resources and Energy Efficiency" category, the town of Mindelheim was recognized for the energy-efficient renovation of the Maria Theresa outdoor pool, the district of Viersen for the climate-friendly construction of the new central district archive and the...

If the eviction of a mentally ill tenant would lead to suicidal intent, the landlord must continue the tenancy for an indefinite period. This has now been decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH; case reference: VIII ZR 390/21). In this case, an owner wanted to terminate his tenant's lease on the grounds of personal use in order to combine two apartments for himself and his partner and thus prevent him from...

The working group 'Die Moderne Küche' (AMK) recently revealed which kitchens will be on trend in 2023. When it comes to wood, the focus will be on oak and walnut as well as ash and walnut. In terms of colors, many combinations are possible. In addition to earth, sand and cream-colored elements, the shades "reed" and "sage" can also be used. Especially in...