What "multi-bank advice" actually means — and why it saves you money
Walk into any bank in Munich and ask about a mortgage: you will get one offer, from one bank, presented as if it were the market. It isn't. German lenders differ enormously — in interest rates, in how they assess foreign income, in whether they accept a temporary residence permit, in extra-repayment rights (Sondertilgung), in how fast they issue an approval.
I work as a multi-bank advisor with access to more than 450 banks and lenders. For every client, I compare the relevant slice of that market and negotiate the conditions. On a €600,000 loan, a difference of just 0.1 percentage points is worth more than €6,000 over ten years — and the differences between the best and the average offer are usually larger than that.
The part internationals appreciate most, though, is simpler: everything happens in English. The system, the numbers, the contract clauses — explained until they are genuinely clear. German mortgage documents are dense even for Germans; you should not have to sign them on trust.
What I do for you, end to end
- Free initial consultation — in person in Munich-Pasing, by video or by phone. We go through your income, savings, residence status and goals. No obligation, no impact on your SCHUFA score.
- Your real budget. I calculate what German banks will actually lend you and what monthly payment fits your life — before you fall in love with an apartment.
- A financing certificate that makes sellers take you seriously. In Munich, sought-after apartments are often shown only to buyers who can prove their financing. I prepare that proof early.
- Market comparison and negotiation. I put the best offers from 450+ lenders side by side, explain the trade-offs (fixed-rate period, amortization rate, extra-repayment rights) and negotiate on your behalf.
- Paperwork and notary. I assemble the bank dossier, coordinate with the seller's side and prepare you for the notary appointment — where I remain your translator for the financial substance, all the way to disbursement.
And years later, when your fixed-rate period ends, I am still your contact for the follow-up financing (Anschlussfinanzierung) — with the same 450+ bank comparison, so you never silently renew at a bad rate.
Who I typically help
- Expats and international professionals — employed in Munich, often on an EU Blue Card or work visa, buying their first German property.
- Newcomers with thin SCHUFA files — a short credit history in Germany is a solvable problem with the right lender.
- Freelancers and the self-employed — where bank policies differ most, and where the right documentation makes or breaks the approval.
- International couples and families — including mixed-income situations (German + foreign income) that standard bank branches struggle to assess.
- Buyers under time pressure — you found the apartment, the agent wants proof of financing this week. This is exactly when a prepared advisor pays off.
If your situation is unusual — fixed-term contract, probation period, income from abroad — that is not a reason to give up. It is a reason to compare more banks, not fewer.
The German mortgage system, in one honest paragraph
German mortgages are annuity loans (Annuitätendarlehen): a constant monthly payment that combines interest and principal. You fix the interest rate for 10, 15 or 20 years (Zinsbindung) and choose your initial amortization rate (Tilgung, typically 1.5–3 % per year). Rates change daily and depend on your profile and loan-to-value — which is why I will not quote you a headline number here that would be stale next week. What I will do is get you your personal numbers, from a live market comparison, for free.
One Munich-specific advantage worth knowing: Bavaria's property transfer tax is 3.5 % — the lowest in Germany (Berlin charges 6 %). On a €700,000 purchase, that is €17,500 kept in your pocket compared to the capital.
Falo português — atendimento também em português
Munich has a large and growing Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking community — and buying property is much easier na sua própria língua. My family is Brazilian; Portuguese is spoken at home, not learned from a textbook. If you prefer to handle your financing in Portuguese, I have dedicated pages for you: financiamento imobiliário em Munique and consultoria em português para toda a Alemanha. A primeira conversa é gratuita.
About me
My name is Hendrik Benevides. I am a financial advisor with Postbank Finanzberatung AG, based in Munich-Pasing (Kaflerstraße 2, 81241 München) — and I combine classic advisory work with AI tools that give my clients an edge: an AI agent that monitors 55+ property portals around the clock, and a free AI exposé analysis with negotiation strategy for any listing you are considering. Clients rate my work 5.0 out of 5 on WhoFinance, across 54 verified reviews.
If you are planning to buy in Munich — this year or next — the smartest first step costs nothing: book a free initial consultation, get your real numbers, and turn the German mortgage system from an obstacle into your advantage.