Real estate financing: advantages through digital collaboration between brokers

INTERVIEW WITH DR. LUCIE LOTZKAT, MANAGING PARTNER AT VON POLL FINANCE, AND WOLFRAM GAST, CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER AT VON POLL IMMOBILIEN

The current economic and political situation continues to have an impact on the real estate market and is influencing real estate brokerage, which is characterized above all by higher interest rates, more difficult financing commitments and longer processing times on the part of banks. All the more reason why an early financial feasibility check and a quick and transparent comparison of several lenders for optimal real estate financing are becoming increasingly important for prospective buyers. The analog and digital service combination of real estate agents and financing experts is therefore a logical step.

Dr. Lotzkat, VON POLL IMMOBILIEN and VON POLL FINANCE have been linked analogue - and now digital - since 2017. Why do you think this collaboration is a huge advantage for potential buyers now more than ever - especially in light of the current situation?

1. LUCIE LOTZKAT

Offering financial services is the logical addition to the VON POLL IMMOBILIEN brokerage business with three key advantages for all parties involved: Firstly, the prospective buyer receives bank-independent advice "from a single source" with a best interest rate check from over 500 lenders and ideal communication between the real estate agent and financier. Secondly, the seller enjoys the advantage that purchase commitments are only made if the financing is secured and this is also transparently proven. And thirdly, the estate agent can carry out viewings in a more targeted manner and optimize their own advisory process if, for example, a credit check is carried out in advance.

Dr. Lucie Lotzkat, Managing Partner at VON POLL FINANCE, and Wolfram Gast, Chief Digital Officer at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN, on the analogue and digital integration of real estate brokerage and financing.

Mr. Gast, how do customers benefit from the digital integration?

WOLFRAM GAST

Until now, the two divisions of our company were mainly interlinked via analog channels. From now on, prospective buyers can also request construction financing digitally via our website when searching for a property. We want to offer our search customers the opportunity to find out about their financial scope - or maximum purchase budget - at an early stage. With the preliminary financial check, the property search or the creation of a search profile on our website can then proceed in a much more targeted manner. In addition, we offer our prospective buyers the service of a financing certificate, which provides a personal financial pre-check by a financing expert on a possible purchase budget. After all, if customers know what they can afford, they are optimally prepared to create a search request that suits their financial situation and to convince estate agents and owners of their own creditworthiness. Anyone who has carried out a preliminary financial check can - as soon as the property has been found - start the final financing very quickly and finally attend the notary appointment with confidence.

How exactly can we imagine the digital implementation of VON POLL FINANCE?

WOLFRAM GAST

Prospective buyers can easily request not only the exposé but also financing at the same time on the details page for the property they want. This means that everything goes "hand in hand" and simultaneously, increasing the chances of finding an optimum offer from a comparison of several lenders in an uncomplicated and transparent manner - especially when time is of the essence.

And when and how quickly do the financing experts come into play?

WOLFRAM GAST

The digital financing inquiries reach our colleagues at VON POLL FINANCE through the pre-sales team, which makes initial contact with the customer at short notice and usually within a few minutes to determine the need for advice. On this basis, the customer is then assigned to one of our financial advisors represented throughout Germany, who can provide them with the best possible advice on their individual needs, both regionally and professionally.

So then it comes to personal contact, Dr. Lotzkat?

1. LUCIE LOTZKAT

Yes, exactly. As a rule, the financial advisor first has a telephone conversation with the customer to clarify the initial situation, goals and customer preferences. On this basis, initial financing offers are drawn up, which are then fleshed out in a personal or, if desired, digital second appointment and supplemented with information from the credit rating and property documents.

But what happens if VON POLL FINANCE is not represented regionally?

WOLFRAM GAST

Personal advice is always important. However, if this is not possible, we also offer our service by video or telephone. This allows prospective buyers to compare several loan providers directly on screen with our financing experts and have the optimum offer determined based on their individual needs.

How long does it take to prepare the financing certificate?

1. LUCIE LOTZKAT

The certificate can be prepared during a single consultation, provided the customer provides all relevant documents, such as payslips or proof of equity.

Mr. Gast, what are the specificadvantages of the digital financing certificatefor prospective buyers ?

WOLFRAM GAST

The certificate has several advantages. First of all, search customers know what they can actually afford and can search in a targeted manner. They benefit from the fact that registered search customers are informed about new exclusive real estate offers at an early stage. In addition, prospective buyers can secure a head start with the financing certificate by distinguishing themselves from other prospective buyers through the preliminary financial check and can thus stand out to the seller and estate agent. Not to forget: Owners also benefit from financially pre-checked customers and save themselves unnecessary viewing appointments.

Do other providers also offer a financing certificate? And what distinguishes VON POLL FINANCE for the financing check?

1. LUCIE LOTZKAT

Our VON POLL FINANCE mortgage certificate is created on the basis of a customer meeting and with the inclusion of verified creditworthiness documents - reliably and accurately. This binding approach differs significantly from some other providers, some of which even allow customers to create a certificate themselves by simply entering their own data in an online form.

With a strong and professional team in the background, we select the best individual solution from over 500 lenders. In doing so, we maintain personal contacts with the respective contact partners on the banking side, which gives us that little bit extra when developing financing solutions. In addition, as VON POLL FINANCE, we are DEFINO-qualified and thus offer our customers additional insurance advice in accordance with the DIN standard, which enables optimal protection for customers, their families and their property. Here, too, we have access to over 300 insurance partners and have also launched our own VON POLL FINANCE policies on the market, which provide our customers with exclusive and outstanding protection in areas such as home insurance. Such a comprehensive combination of different financial services is certainly unique in this way. Incidentally, we offer this service to all customers - regardless of through whom they purchase or have purchased their property in the past.

Link: https://finance.von-poll.com/de-de/immobilie-finanzieren