The quickest way to find your new home with HOMEBOY
1. Create a suitable search profile and confirm your recipient email or WhatsApp number.
It all starts with the right search profile. Save your search and decide whether you want the offers to be forwarded via email or WhatsApp. If you have saved your email or phone number in the search profile, follow the instructions for confirmation in your email inbox or WhatsApp chat. In WhatsApp, for example, you must write ‘Start’ after the welcome message so that you can start receiving offers. This prevents others from being inundated with unwanted flat offers.
2. Respond immediately to new housing offers - the first applicants are always invited to viewings.
If your search profile is activated, you should receive the first flat offers via email or WhatsApp after a short time. These new offers have just appeared on platforms such as Immoscout24, Immowelt, Kleinanzeigen or other platforms and you are one of the first people to be informed about these new offers. Especially in big cities like Berlin or Munich, the best offers are only online for 10 minutes because there is so much demand. Reaction time is therefore the most important factor in getting an invitation to view a property. Use your competitive advantage and react immediately to new offers. The first applicants with the right application portfolio will also be invited first.
3. Have your outstanding application portfolio ready
Your first digital impression counts. Send your application portfolio to your landlord as soon as you apply for the flat. If you can't upload a document to the chat, ask for an email address to send the portfolio to. Since the competition is so high, you need to stand out with a shiny application portfolio. Landlords don't know anything about you yet and always end up choosing the applicants they feel most confident about. Will the rent be paid on time? Does the person fit in well with the existing tenant community? Does the person have unrealistic expectations? These are all questions that landlords want answers to and usually get them from the application pack and at the viewing appointment. You will only receive an invitation to the latter if the application portfolio is correct.
Here is a list of documents that you should definitely have prepared:
Letter of application
Similar to an application letter for a job, the aim here is to inform landlords about your qualifications. Answer essential questions about yourself and why you are suitable for the flat. Emphasise your work history and reliability, both financially and personally.
Schufa information
Your Schufa information provides the letting agent with a credit check. This document should always be included and proves that you have not had any financial problems in the past.
You can apply for your Schufa information free of charge:
https://www.schufa.de/newsroom/bonitaet/schufa-auskunft-kostenlos-datenkopie/#
Certificate of no rent arrears
You can apply for this document from your old landlord, which confirms in writing that you have always paid your rent reliably and in full. This document once again proves your reliability as a tenant.
Proof of salary
Landlords usually want to see the last three of your salaries to guarantee that you can afford the flat. As a rule, the rent should not make up more than a third of your net income. This rule of thumb is becoming increasingly difficult to adhere to due to rising rents. Proof that you are in a permanent position and no longer in a probationary period can also be helpful.
4. The Viewing
You've already got one foot in the door! Now you just have to make the right impression. Come to the appointment well-groomed and well-dressed. It's best to be there a few minutes before the appointment and bring another copy of your documents in a folder. This will give you a trustworthy and well-prepared impression and help you stand out from the crowd. Make sure you have a friendly and accommodating demeanour. If you like the flat, you should communicate your enthusiasm and acceptance as quickly as possible. If you are accepted, make sure you meet all deadlines and send the estate agent or landlord everything they need to finalise the contract. Welcome home! You've made it.
Time to explore.
