Residential & usable area calculation brings marketing success in Bonn
-40%
Marketing
+50%
Requests
100%
Achieved price
The Challenge
Our partner, the real estate agency Immobilienwerte Bonn, faced the task of marketing a multi-family house from the 1970s in the sought-after Bonn district of Poppelsdorf. The property comprised a total of six residential units and had been renovated, rebuilt several times, and expanded in the attic over the decades. The living space calculations stored in the old construction records were incomplete, outdated, and showed significant deviations from the actual room layout. Since an incorrect area specification in the exposé can lead to legal risks, purchase price reductions, or even reversals, legally secure, centimeter-accurate re-measurement of the residential and usable areas was essential. In particular, the sloping ceilings on the top floor as well as the subsequently added balconies made an exact calculation according to the German Living Space Ordinance (WoFlV) a complex task. Marketing stalled because potential buyers and their financing banks insisted on a verified, legally secure area calculation. The risk of incorrect information prevented the agency from publicly offering the property.
Our Solution
FotoEstate took over the complete and legally secure calculation of the living and usable space of the multi-family house in Bonn. Our surveying team conducted a detailed on-site survey of all six residential units. Highly precise 3D laser scanners and digital handheld laser measuring devices with millimeter accuracy were used. By systematically scanning all rooms, niches, sloping ceilings, and exterior areas, we captured the exact geometry of the building. In the subsequent CAD processing, the scan data were evaluated and detailed, dimensioned 2D floor plans were created. On this basis, we carried out the precise calculation of the living spaces in accordance with the strict requirements of the German Living Space Ordinance (WoFlV). Roof slopes (areas under 1 meter in height not at all, areas between 1 and 2 meters in height at 50 percent) as well as balconies and terraces were exactly taken into account. As a result, the client received a certified measurement including a detailed calculation verification for each individual apartment, which is fully recognized by banks and courts.
The Result
Through the certified calculation of living and usable space by FotoEstate, the Bonn real estate agency was able to put the multi-family house in Poppelsdorf on the market with absolute legal certainty. The precise measurement also brought a positive surprise: the actual living space was almost 8 percent higher than the values in the outdated building records. This gain in space of almost 35 square meters in total made it possible to safely increase the property's asking price based on the current Bonn price per square meter, resulting in additional revenue. The financing banks of the prospective buyers accepted the professional calculation proofs without any issues, which significantly accelerated the financing commitments. The property could be sold to a local investor within just four weeks of publication. Thus, FotoEstate provided the client not only with legal certainty but also with a direct financial benefit.
Project Deep Dive: Process & Details
The initial situation: A demanding marketing
In the heart of the Poppelsdorf district of Bonn, not far from the Botanical Garden and the university institutes, a well-maintained multi-family house from the 1970s was to be sold. The homeowners' association had decided to sell, but the documents showed large gaps. Floor plans were hand-drawn and had no measurements, and the area calculations dated back to the construction period over 50 years ago. Since the floor plans had been altered over the years and roof slopes had been converted, the information in the rental agreements no longer matched reality. The real estate agency Immobilienwerte Bonn was aware of the high liability risk of erroneous information and halted marketing until reliable data was available.
The hurdle: Overcoming uncertainty in potential customers
Prospective buyers in the upscale Bonn market are extremely demanding and are usually accompanied by appraisers or banks. Without a certified living space calculation according to WoFlV, banks today increasingly refuse to grant loans or require substantial risk deductions. The uncertainty among prospective buyers regarding the actual size of the apartments led to hesitant negotiations. The risk of rent reductions by tenants in the event of a deviation of the actual living space from the contractual agreements also unsettled the investor. A solid, independent, and legally secure measurement was the only way to overcome this hurdle.
The concept: Visual excellence and attention to detail
The concept of FotoEstate envisaged a seamless, three-dimensional capture of all floors (similar to projects where we use these scans as a basis for an AR real estate visualization like in Remseck am Neckar). Instead of measuring only at certain points with a tape measure, we planned to use our 3D scanning systems. This had the advantage that, in addition to the pure length and width dimensions, room heights and slope angles could also be represented in the digital model to the centimeter. This ensured that every niche, every wall projection, and every chimney flue was correctly recorded and taken into account in the area calculation. The concept guarantees the customer maximum transparency and absolute traceability of the measurements.
The Implementation: Technology Meets Craft
The implementation was carried out by our experienced measurement technicians on-site in Bonn. Using the latest digital distance measuring devices and 3D scanners, all rooms were systematically measured. In close coordination with the tenants, we were able to minimize disruption on-site. Subsequently, the scan data was evaluated in our CAD software. The architects from FotoEstate created detailed 2D floor plans of all six units and prepared a comprehensible table in which the living areas were broken down exactly according to the requirements of the Living Space Ordinance (WoFlV). The entire process was documented in an official measurement protocol.
The result: A flawless marketing success
The result was a complete success for Immobilienwerte Bonn. By proving the actual spatial relationships, the property could be marketed not only securely but also at a higher price. The positive difference of 35 square meters compared to the old file documents noticeably increased the overall value of the property. The banks confirmed the buyer's financing within a few days, as the certified measurement met all regulatory criteria. The notary appointment went smoothly, and the real estate agency established the living space calculation from FotoEstate as the standard procedure for all its demanding sales properties.
What our partners say
"The drone shots gave our exposé that certain something. Our clients were thrilled."
"Since I started using Fotoestate's pictures for my listings, I've had twice as many inquiries for my holiday apartments."
"Professional, straightforward, and outstanding quality. The 360-degree tours are a game changer for our marketing."
"We book Fotoestate for all our premium properties. The quality is consistently excellent."
"Good value for money. The photographer was very friendly and gave great tips on preparing the rooms."
"My work only becomes truly visible through Fotoestate's fantastic pictures. Great collaboration!"
"The drone shots gave our exposé that certain something. Our clients were thrilled."
"Since I started using Fotoestate's pictures for my listings, I've had twice as many inquiries for my holiday apartments."
"Professional, straightforward, and outstanding quality. The 360-degree tours are a game changer for our marketing."
"We book Fotoestate for all our premium properties. The quality is consistently excellent."
"Good value for money. The photographer was very friendly and gave great tips on preparing the rooms."
"My work only becomes truly visible through Fotoestate's fantastic pictures. Great collaboration!"
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