Comment: Scout24 - Baden-Württemberg‘s Housing Agenda: More ‘Häuslebauer‘ & less commission for agents

Research evidence excerpt

Comment: Scout24 - Baden-Württemberg‘s Housing Agenda: More ‘Häuslebauer‘ & less commission for agents

22 July 2026

Comment: Scout24 - Baden-Württemberg's Housing Agenda:

More “Häuslebauer” & less commission for agents

Annick Maas +44 20 7676 6683 annick.maas@bernsteinsg.com

Christophe Cherblanc +41 582 723 540 christophe.cherblanc@bernsteinsg.com

Christopher Pancur +44 20 7676 7280 christopher.pancur@bernsteinsg.com

On May 9th, 2026, the new coalition of the Greens and CDU in Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany's states with the highest homeownership

rates, signed its new coalition agreement. The agreement contains several housing-related proposals which, although largely requiring

implementation at the federal level, could have meaningful implications for the German residential real estate market, transaction activity and

housing affordability if adopted.

The coalition proposes the following points:

• Reforming transaction costs by linking notary fees (c.1-2% of transaction price), agent commissions (c.7% of transaction price) and

land registry charges (c. 0.5% of transaction price) more closely to the actual work performed rather than to the property value. We

believe this could only be implemented at the federal level.

• “HeimVorteil BW” – introducing a reduction or exemption from Grunderwerbsteuer (real estate transfer tax (stamp duty)- currently at

5%) for first-time homebuyers. Can be implemented at the state level. This is already partly implemented in state of Hesse.

• Deductibility of mortgage interest expenses for owner-occupiers and for landlords renting significantly below market rents (e.g. non-

profit or socially-oriented landlords). Can only be implemented at the federal level.