Estate agent recommendations for Hamburg

So, I have struck out with landlords on my own and my last experience with a makler was rough as she was almost as uselss as nipples on a bull. Can anyone recomend one that is somewhat compantaint?

Thanks.

There is only one thing a Makler is good for: a Makler is something that when stabbed repeatedly with sharp and blunt instruments alike, screams and bleeds in a most satisfactory manner. They're all useless and they're only there for their commissions. They won't do deals with the owners and won't pass on most offers because the empty place doesn't cost them anything, and if you're looking for a place to rent they'll always steer you to the most expensive place.

woof.

Shahsiah Immobilien Management e.K.
Herr Shahsiah
Winterhuder Weg 6
22085 Hamburg
Tel.: +49/40/89006800
Fax: +49/40/89006801

Used his services once and will again next time it's required. No complaints whatsoever. Had thought it would be easier finding tenants without using a "Makler", but after 6 months I gave up. There are costs on both sides after all. Don't think any side regretted it either.

A lucid assessment there BD and bang on the nose

Makler is the German translation of "useless thieving cunt".

Go with a company that owns the properties that they rent out. You'll get much better service and not have to pay a "provision" fee.

I agree with BadDoggie.. Maklers are scum. Avoid at all costs. The title of your post could very well be "Need a punch in the face"..

I am getting a sense of the uselessness and greed of the profession. I don't speak german very well yet and all the landlords that I have delt with have run into the arms of another applicant. I make good money and have an unlimited contract. My company has also agreed to provide a rental garentee and pay for the makler. If I could get by without one then GREAT, but I am starting to think they are a nessasary -yet vile - evil. If anyone has a suggestion or a contact that will make it so that I do not have to support a system of parasites then I am all for it.

I used to think Maklers were shit, but I have gotten used to using them now, and although I still think they get more than they're worth, I no longer think they are quite such a bad deal for myself to use.

If you are intending to stay in the place for a reasonable amount of time, like over two years, calculate what the Makler's fee will actually work out at per month over the two years. Often the Maklers have places that are slightly cheaper in rent than comparable places without Makler. And you have the advantage that you can ask a Makler to look for a suitable place for you, so that you may not be going for it with loads of others.

Don't know the situation in Hamburg, but in Berlin often only 1 month's rent is charged, or the fee is split 50/50 by tenant and landlord (you don't get that in Munich), and then I think the cost is fine.

I recently paid a Makler fee in Munich, after having looked on other sites, e.g. TT. On TT I not only got no offers, (which I didn't really expect),but also several people posted telling me that what I wanted to pay for the place I wanted was unrealistic and I should be prepared to pay a lot more. In the end, through Scout24 and Makler. I got a place for 55 € LESS than what I had been told on TT was unrealistic. I paid 1530 Makler fee - in 27 months that will have paid for itself.

So before just refusing a Makler, do look at wat the actual cost to yourself is going to be.

Unfortunately I don't know any in Hamburg though - but good luck!

i actually have an acquaintence in Hamburg who is a makler. i don't know if he's good or not. he may be a good person, but...
pm me and i will pass along his name and number. i have yet to reach him to see if i can publish it here or not. i found his name in the phone book and a GmbH, but i don't know if that is him or not. and he does speak english.

The title of this thread should be 'I need a makler, like a hole in the head'.

Maklers are usually self serving cnuts, good luck with your search!

If your work is paying, then I'd probably use one.

Still, having a Makler doesn't mean you're going to get the place. We went looking at apartments that had certain Maklers representing them, and hte Makler would invite 20 people around at the same time and then there would be a bidding war as to who was going to get the apartment. This was last June.

In Munich its still pretty crazy, and difficult to get a good place for a good price.

Standard Makler fee in Munich is two month's rent PLUS 19% MwSt. Even amortised over 5 years that works out to around €65/month for me. And for doing what? Getting to the person looking to rent the place out before me.

woof.

I know of two good ones (goes contrary to most of this thread !!!).

www.Theresa-Hiltl.de
www.gp-consulting.de

Both very friendly and efficient. Theresa speaks very good English, French, and several orther languages too. They both have connections in other cities, if needed.

Avoid Maklers like the plague.
If you want to buy or rent at the top end - go direct to the owners
via newspaper ads.
At the bottom end (to rent) go to the Baugenossenschäfte and so on.
(SAGA and similar in Hamburg) - see Gelbe Seiten.
(or privately thru newspaper ads).
If your income is below a certain level you can get a cert. that
entitles you to cheap rented flats.
Avoid furnished property, usually absurdly dear and just for foreigners or "Company
Lets".
It's cheaper to furnish from IKEA than rent "Furnished" unless you are only
in D for a short time.