Tobias Landscheiten has been a real estate expert for nearly 20 years and has learned his profession from the ground up. He understands the industry from the perspectives of owners, developers and brokers. We are pleased that his extensive expertise is strengthening our team and helping Brockhoff expand its residential investment business.

Here, he shares his perspective on this year’s investment market, particularly for residential property:

How is Brockhoff’s INVEST division so successful despite current market conditions?

At Brockhoff, we draw on a network built over 37 years and know the industry’s active professionals well. We focus on the opportunities the market offers and always provide transparent advice. Our clients reward us with their trust. This enabled us to advise on the successful sale of significant residential properties last year. We are currently nearing completion on several transactions, some of them very large.

Many of our long-standing clients are ready to invest again. We are therefore happy to assess potential acquisitions in advance and check whether they fit our clients’ investment strategies.

How do you view the wave of insolvencies among property developers?

The loss of some highly reputable developers will be felt in the transaction market. Combined with high construction costs, new-build activity has fallen significantly once again. As a result, existing properties are moving further into focus.

As investment brokers, we focus on identifying existing properties for our clients that offer potential for value growth. Energy-efficiency upgrades can often help reposition these assets.

What is your outlook for the 2025 investment year?

I expect the transaction market to continue stabilising. Prices will adjust in many markets, allowing buyers and sellers to find common ground again. Core properties in good locations with sustainable specifications will remain in demand. Value-add and opportunistic investors will also become more active buyers again. Overall, I do not expect the market to return to the levels seen before 2022.

In your view, what are the most important measures for reviving the residential investment market?

The most important thing is for policymakers to set a clear course and avoid confusing debates. Last year showed that contentious public discussions can bring the market almost to a standstill. The debate about heating systems alone led many buyers to withdraw from contracts that were already close to final agreement or to delay completion significantly. Understandably so: there were weeks last year when nobody knew what would actually happen. That is why I call for political clarity that buyers and sellers can plan around.

Targeted support programmes and tax incentives with lasting effects would help stimulate the investment market. However, they must be reliably guaranteed years in advance. Only then can people plan around them.

Reducing excessive regulation would also encourage more activity. Too many rules slow down construction and make it more expensive.

Thank you for the interview!