Find your ideal home quickly
The real estate market in Luxembourg is very tight, dominated by landlords. Despite numerous recent real estate developments, the supply of housing is insufficient to meet demand. So how can you quickly find the apartment or house of your dreams?
Here are our top tips and advice for renting or buying your ideal home in Luxembourg. Find the perfect apartment or house quickly to make it easier for the whole family to settle in.
Searching for housing in Luxembourg: our advice
Define your search criteria according to your needs
Searching for a house or apartment to buy or rent cannot be improvised. Discuss with all members of your household to determine everyone's needs.
Note down the characteristics of the home you are looking for
- number of people in the family, need for separate bedrooms or not: number of bedrooms required
- Habits and routines of each family member, especially in the morning before going to work or school: number of bathrooms or showers
- Need for a separate toilet or not. In Luxembourg, toilets are often installed in bathrooms
- Common living space for the family, TV or gaming area
- Open-plan kitchen or not
- Office or extra room if one of the family members works from home
- Garden, terrace
- Garage, etc.
Determine your ideal environment
Specify the environment in which you want to live according to your lifestyle and the needs or desires of each member of your family living in Luxembourg.
- Urban or rural environment,
- proximity to public transportation,
- proximity to shopping and leisure facilities, restaurants, and cinemas,
- proximity to schools, workplace, etc. See neighborhoods to live in Luxembourg City
Write down all your criteria and feel free to revise them as you go along. Rank them in order of importance. Is it negotiable or non-negotiable?
Refer to this list every time you visit a property. This will help you avoid overlooking a major criterion for your family's well-being.
Set your budget in line with the market
Once you have determined and noted all of the above criteria, check that they are in line with what is available on the market. This will help you work out the budget you need to find your ideal property in Luxembourg.
You can determine the price range by searching for properties that meet your criteria on real estate portals. You can also use our information on the real estate market in Luxembourg and the latest trends in real estate prices in Luxembourg to help you.
Define your average budget and your maximum budget. Be sure to include additional costs, particularly when purchasing a property.
Please note that renting a property also involves certain additional costs on top of the monthly rent advertised.
Be proactive in your search
Set up alerts on real estate portals
Stay alert for properties for sale or rent. Create alerts for market offers via real estate portals. Check that your predefined budget allows you to purchase your ideal home. If not, review your criteria or your budget if possible.
Contact local real estate agencies
Don't hesitate to contact real estate agencies, including those in charge of properties under contract that you like. You will make yourself known and let them know that you are looking for a similar type of property. They will add you to their database and will be more inclined to contact you if they know you are a potential buyer.
It is important to note that more and more sales and rentals in Luxembourg are being made off-market. When agents receive a mandate to rent or sell a property, they contact the people on their client list directly. Only lower-quality properties are advertised on real estate portals or in real estate listings.
If you are renting, put together your rental application by gathering the various documents requested: pay slips, proof of income, employment contract, rent receipts, identity documents, security deposit if necessary, etc. Remember to scan them so that you can send them quickly to complete your application. Your application will be forwarded to the landlord more quickly if you go through an agent. In addition, your reliability will be an important asset when compared to other potential tenants.
This way, you can be sure you won't miss out on the property of your dreams. In Luxembourg, you need to be responsive and not hesitate to act quickly on a property you like.
Which intermediaries should you use for your property search?
Use real estate agencies in Luxembourg
There are many real estate agencies in Luxembourg. Whether international networks, local agencies, or independent agents, real estate agencies are the first point of contact between owners and potential tenants or buyers.
Do you have a property to sell? Real estate agencies are there to help you.
Consult several real estate agencies
When searching for accommodation in Luxembourg, don't hesitate to consult several real estate agencies. This will helpyou find a trusted partner who understands your needs. It is important that the agency is familiar with your family's requirements.
Make an appointment in advance to discuss your plans
We also recommend that you make an appointment in advance with real estate agencies. This will give you time to explain exactly what you are looking for. If you go directly to a real estate agency, you may not be able to view any properties at that moment. Agencies do not necessarily have the keys.
If you are still in your country of origin, you can also conduct this interview by phone.
Some real estate agencies are specially recommended by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Real Estate Chamber. This label guarantees quality service and protects you from potential scams. These partner agencies have signed the code of ethics included in the Quality Charter of the non-profit organization "CIGDL," which has been established in the country for over 40 years.
Find all the real estate professionals at the National Housing Week.
Define your criteria for your real estate project
Work with your real estate agent to define the search criteria for your purchase or rental: desired area, available budget, timeframe, number of bedrooms, etc. This will enable real estate agents to find the ideal home for you. Less time wasted for you and for the agency, which will know exactly what you are looking for.
The agency will then be able to make an initial selection of properties to visit and arrange viewings according to your wishes. They will inform you of properties that match your needs and show you around the selected properties.
Identify all the details of your real estate project
If you are looking for a property to rent, you will have to pay agency fees in addition to the charges. These fees are generally equivalent to one month's rent excluding taxes. They include research, viewings, drafting the lease, and administrative follow-up, including the move-in inventory.
Whether you are buying or renting, we advise you to carry out an inventory of fixtures at the beginning and end of the tenancy in the case of a rental, at the time of signing the preliminary agreement in the case of a purchase, with verification just before the notarial deed. The real estate agency will take care of this inventory. The costs are normally included in the agency fees charged.
Agencies can also provide you with information on the housing assistance you may be eligible for as a future owner or tenant.
Find accommodation through word of mouth
Whether through traditional or virtual word of mouth, don't hesitate to let people know that you are looking for an apartment or a house. Luxembourg is a small world, and it is not uncommon to use your network. Don't have any contacts there? Social media can help. There are several real estate groups for exchanges between individuals and expats, particularly on Facebook.
Contact professionals to find your accommodation
The best way to find accommodation is to go through real estate agents. They know the market. These real estate professionals can help you refine your search and determine your criteria. They can advise you on the different neighborhoods in Luxembourg or the Luxembourg municipalities that match your search criteria. They will recommend properties that fit your budget.
Real estate hunters and relocation agencies: effective allies
By entrusting your search to a real estate hunter, you can delegate the initial research and the first property viewings. They will keep you informed of the progress of their search. You can refine yoursearch as you go along until you find the ideal home for you and your family.
Property search mandates in Luxembourg
To ensure you receive the best service, you will probably be asked to sign an exclusive search mandate for a period of 1 or 3 months. Each mandate is specific and determines the service expected. The property hunter's fee will be calculated either as a percentage of the sale price or rental price, or as a fixed commission. This will be payable once the service has been completed.
Relocation agencies can also assist you with the administrative procedures involved in signing the lease agreement or the deed of sale at the notary's office .
Prepare your purchase or rental file
If you are buying a home, consult banks and financial institutions to finalize your financing budget in advance. This will allow you to know from the outset how much you can spend on your purchase. You will also have a head start on other potential buyers by making a realistic purchase offer quickly.
Let relocation agencies in Luxembourg guide you
Relocation agencies: specialists in expatriation
Are you planning to move to Luxembourg soon? To ensure that your expatriation does not turn into a nightmare, do not hesitate to call on a relocation agency.
Leaving your home country and moving your whole family to a new country is no easy task. That's why it's important to be in contact with someone who knows the country and the issues involved in expatriation. Relocation agents are often expatriates in Luxembourg themselves. They have been in the same situation.
Get help from a relocation agency
Finding a place to buy or rent, completing the necessary administrative procedures upon arrival in a new country—all of this can sometimes be very complicated. A relocation agency can assist you with all of these steps to ensure a smooth transition. Especially when there is a change in language and culture, a local agent who has been based in Luxembourg for years will be able to give you the best advice.
Have a smooth landing with a relocation agency
Relocation agencies provide a comprehensive service for your move to Luxembourg in exchange for a fee. They are your primary point of contact to help you find rental accommodation. They can also assist you with all the administrative procedures involved in moving to the Grand Duchy.
Relocation agencies will help you settle in Luxembourg. They provide a personalized and professional service. They will support you in your relocation project: finding accommodation, taking care of the administrative formalities on arrival, choosing a school or nursery for your children, installing a telephone in your new home, as well as connecting gas and electricity.
Real estate portals in Luxembourg
Specialized websites to familiarize yourself with the real estate market
Consulting Luxembourg real estate portals remains one of the best ways to learn about the Luxembourg real estate market, even from a distance.
Are you planning to move to Luxembourg? Are you looking for a house or apartment to buy or rent in the Grand Duchy? As soon as you start planning your move to Luxembourg, check out websites specializing in real estate. This will allow you to determine your initial search criteria from your current place of residence: purchase/rental, house/apartment, number of bedrooms, location, garden, etc., and of course your budget.
Create alerts to receive notifications
By creating email alerts and push notifications on real estate portals, you will be notified in real time of properties that match your search criteria. With just a few clicks, you can contact agencies or owners directly.
Thanks to real estate portals, you can make an initial selection before visiting the selected properties and find the property of your dreams that suits your needs and desires.
Which real estate portals should you consult in Luxembourg?
Below are the main real estate portals to help you in your search for a home to buy or rent:
AtHome.lu, the leading real estate portal in Luxembourg and the Greater Region
The real estate portal atHome.lu is a must for real estate searches in Luxembourg.
Whatever you are looking for, whether it be a house , apartment, new or oldproperty , house to build, office space, commercial property, investment property, land, or even garages and parking spaces, atHome remains the leader in the Luxembourg real estate market. The atHome.lu mobile app (available on iOS and Android) makes searching for real estate easier. Don't hesitate to download it.
Immotop.lu, real estate specialist
Immotop.lu is also one of the major players in real estate search in Luxembourg and the Greater Region.
Maps provide information on price ranges and market trends.
Use the interactive map to search and see all the listings that match your criteria at a glance. Download the immotop.lu mobile app (iOS & Android) and let it guide you in your search for a home. You can also follow all the latest real estate news in Luxembourg on the Immotop blog.
Wortimmo.lu, real estate listings
Wortimmo.lu is available online and in the real estate section of the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort.
You can compare prices per square meter by city and neighborhood. You will also find all the latest real estate news to help you find your future home in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Vivi.lu, portal of the Luxembourg Real Estate Chamber (CIGDL)
Vivi is a real estate listings and information website set up by the Real Estate Chamber of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (CIGDL). Exclusivelistings are also published there.
The Real Estate Chamber brings together 300 real estate professionals, real estate agencies, property managers, and developers. By joining the Real Estate Chamber, each member commits to complying with its strict rules and providing high-quality services.
Still haven't found a home for your family? Feel free to check out thetemporary housing offers.
In the meantime, read our article on the Luxembourg real estate market to gain a better understanding of the market.
Are you moving to Luxembourg? To make sure you don't forget anything, check out our Guide to Moving to Luxembourg.
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