Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin (Hochschule) für Immobilien

To learn more about this profession, you can refer to information provided by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), the film 'Real Estate Industry – Duales Studium (University Study)', and various magazines and online resources such as AIZ - Das Immobilienmagazin, BFuP - Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung und Praxis, BVI-Magazin, Der Betriebswirt, Digitalisierung in der Immobilienwirtschaft, DW Die Wohnungswirtschaft, Immobilien Manager, IMMOBILIEN-PROFI, Immobilienwirtschaft, Immobilien Zeitung, IMR Immobilien- und Mietrecht, wiwi-online - Der Begleitfaden für Studium & Karriere, and ZfIR Zeitschrift für Immobilienrecht.

The New European Bauhaus and the renovation wave are developing new, sustainable, and climate-neutral construction and design forms. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data increase resource efficiency. The goal is to improve quality of life and transition to a sustainable circular economy. The existing building stock is also intended to become more climate-neutral and energy-efficient. The EU plans to at least double the renovation rate by 2030, creating up to 160,000 additional green jobs in the construction sector. Specialists and managers from relevant disciplines will address the emerging opportunities and fields of activity. The smart living trend affects not only private households but also the real estate industry, with companies integrating smart technologies.

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this field of study. Interests are listed in order of their importance, with illustrative activities provided for each area. Interest in commercial-organizational activities, e.g., negotiating with investors and construction companies, creating and presenting marketing concepts. Interest in administrative-organizational activities, e.g., organizing business activities for real estate purchases and sales.

Business administrators (Hochschule) for real estate primarily work in offices and meeting rooms. Additionally, they may also work in the field, in a home office, or remotely.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university study) include: Tendering, awarding, performance description, construction financing, building renovation, business administration, controlling, Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM), facility management, building system technology, building control technology, building services, real estate business administration, real estate purchase, real estate sale, real estate management, real estate law, real estate leasing, real estate administration, maintenance management, cost and performance accounting, marketing, human resources, location analysis, tax law. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Bookkeeping, leading owner meetings, energetic renovation, financial management, land registry law, real estate valuation, real estate leasing, investment planning, customer consulting and support, broker law, tenancy law, project management, organizing and controlling conversion measures, mediation, contract law, residential construction (planning, supervision), condominium law, housing industry.

The advancing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For business administrators (Hochschule) in the real estate industry, opportunities may arise to engage with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Algorithmic Decision Making - ADM (e.g., participating in the development of criteria for automated valuation of real estate market value), Building Information Modeling - BIM (e.g., monitoring the progress of renovation projects using a BIM system), Business Intelligence - BI (e.g., preparing or making operational and strategic decisions with automatically analyzed data and the insights gained), Business Process Management Systems - BPM Systems (e.g., using software for analyzing and controlling business processes to increase efficiency), Connected Buildings (e.g., using networked building technology in building management to automate damage reports).

Real estate business administrators (university graduates) independently plan, organize, and control business processes in the commercial-business area of the housing industry. If they lead a team, they motivate their employees and coordinate their collaboration. This requires communicative skills and assertiveness, and negotiation skills in customer discussions. They use their analytical and organizational skills when, for example, creating usage concepts for real estate or optimizing real estate marketing. When developing financing concepts, they think in business terms. Foreign language skills and intercultural competencies are required, for example, when working with clients and business partners from other countries. They primarily work in the office on a computer but are also on external assignments, such as visiting real estate properties, clients, and suppliers.

Real estate business administrators (university graduates) can work freelance in the following areas: Founding or taking over a real estate brokerage and management business, management consulting, financial consulting, investment consulting.

Example of a collectively agreed gross basic salary (monthly): 5,124 € to 6,171 €. Source: Statistisches Taschenbuch Tarifpolitik - WSI-Tarifarchiv. Note: This information is for orientation purposes. No claims can be derived from it.

Real estate, building management. Development of land; property developers, e.g., housing construction companies, real estate trading. Management of land, buildings, and apartments for third parties, e.g., facility management companies. Purchase and sale of own land, buildings, and apartments. Mediation of land, buildings, and apartments for third parties, e.g., real estate agents, real estate management. Rental, leasing of own or leased land, buildings, and apartments, e.g., management of existing stock in non-profit housing associations or real estate companies. Public administration, e.g., land registries, building administrations, administration of public buildings. Banks, credit institutions, stock exchanges, other financial institutions. Credit institutions, excluding specialized credit institutions, e.g., real estate departments of all types of credit institutions.

Those who wish to work in this profession typically need a completed undergraduate (grundständig) degree in real estate economics. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's degree (Masterstudium). Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Real Estate Economics (undergraduate - grundständig), Real Estate Economics (postgraduate - weiterführend).

Business economists specializing in real estate can find employment in companies within the real estate and building management sector, with real estate agents and property management firms, in non-profit housing or real estate companies, in public administration (e.g., property offices or building authorities), and in credit institutions with real estate departments.

Job title: Business Economist (University of Applied Sciences) - Real Estate. Also common job titles/synonyms: Real Estate Manager, Property Manager, Real Estate Manager. Job title in English: Real estate economist (m/f). Job title in French: Chargé/Chargée de gestion globale en immobilier.

According to the Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung), an authorization from the competent authority is required for activities in the real estate or financial sector. This presupposes reliability and sound financial circumstances. For the brokerage and management of real estate, there is a continuous training obligation according to the Trade Regulation Act. The Association of German Real Estate Agents (VDM) requires new members to provide an internal professional qualification certificate.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this university degree profession: willingness to perform and commit (e.g., willingness to actively and resolutely take on commercial analysis, planning, and leadership tasks in real estate companies), perseverance/determination (e.g., planning long-term projects for real estate utilization, sticking to implementation despite temporary setbacks or short-term changed priorities), conscientiousness (e.g., precise planning of real estate concepts regarding economic, financial, and building law issues and determining purchase prices), sense of responsibility and willingness to take responsibility (e.g., taking responsibility for accuracy).

Business economists specializing in real estate plan, organize, and monitor business activities related to real estate purchases, sales, and utilization.

Job and applicant exchanges: Bankingclub, Bau.de, Baujobs.ch, BauNetz, Die Möglichmacher - Facility Management (GEFMA German Facility Management Association), Facility Jobbörse, IZ-Jobs.de, salesjob.

Key associations and organizations in this profession include: Bundesverband Deutscher Volks- und Betriebswirte e.V. (bdvb), Bundesverband freier Immobilien- und Wohnungsunternehmen e.V., GdW Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen e.V., Immobilienverband IVD Bundesverband e.V., VDI-Gesellschaft Bauen und Gebäudetechnik (VDI-GBG), and ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft.

Working conditions in this profession involve responsibility for people (e.g., guiding, motivating, and leading employees), responsibility for assets (e.g., preparing real estate appraisals, checking and plausibilizing external appraisals), and customer contact (e.g., speaking with prospective buyers, advising tenants and owners, assisting buyers and sellers in negotiating agreements). Additionally, screen work (analysis, conceptualization, and planning), office work (customer and tenant discussions), and varying work locations (e.g., for property acquisition and inspections, notary appointments) are common.

Professional deployment opportunities in this field are categorized by areas of activity. These include Facility Management (Facility Manager), Finance and Accounting (Calculator, Cost Accountant, Head of Finance and Accounting), Appraisal and Expert Activities (Real Estate Appraiser), Real Estate Management (Real Estate Agent, Property Manager), Teaching at Universities (Lecturer, Program Coordinator), Management and Corporate Leadership (Department Head, Commercial Operations Manager, Business Development Manager, Team Leader, Branch Manager), Marketing and Advertising (Head of Marketing), and Scientific Research (Research Assistant, Head of a Research Group).

The main work objects and tools in this profession include real estate such as houses, apartments, and commercial properties. Documents like economic analyses, real estate concepts, operational key figures, rent indices, exposés, offer and contract documents, floor plans, construction and site plans, process and organizational plans, real estate appraisals, annual reports, statistics, advertising and information materials, and real estate and building regulations are also used. Furthermore, data management systems and software such as planning and control systems, accounting and financial software, and real estate management software are utilized, along with office equipment and communication tools like PCs, internet access, telephones, laptops, and smartphones.

Business economists for real estate management support economic decision-making processes in various functional areas. They sell, rent, lease, and manage different properties, and analyze real estate markets. During a real estate project, they prepare offers, negotiate with investors, construction companies, and architectural firms. They seek interested parties using real estate advertisements or flyers, advise prospects, handle contract processing, and, if necessary, arrange financing.

Continuing education for professional adaptation helps keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in business administration, real estate management, valuation and market value assessment, or finance and accounting). There is a mandatory continuing education requirement for real estate brokerage and management. Furthermore, the trend towards sustainable and climate-neutral construction methods, combined with new design forms and digital technologies, can become an important continuing education topic for business economists in real estate. Topics such as networked living (Smart Living) or Renting 4.0 (digitized rental process) also offer potential for further training.

Bachelor graduates can expand their professional and career opportunities through further Studium (university studies), for example, in real estate economics, construction business administration, construction management, or business administration, business management. A Promotion (doctorate) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; for appointment as a university professor, a Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Analysis and Concept Development: Identify the initial situation, describe possibilities for real estate sale or utilization, analyze locations and building design options. Determine market conditions and customer preferences, for example, through market research, surveys, complaint rates. Explore innovative and practical marketing concepts through competitor observation. Formulate goals and benchmarks for the company. Design offers, for example, within a project plan, including cooperation agreements between construction companies, architects, and investors. Evaluate implementation possibilities, conduct cost-benefit analyses, for example, estimating timelines, real estate legal frameworks, necessary budget, and goals. Discuss concepts and adapt them if necessary. Implementation and Control: Accompany implementation processes in individual functional areas, coordinate or co-supervise subtasks, monitor interim goals, for example, in controlling and facility management.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of Real Estate Business Administrator: Field of activity Management, Corporate Management; Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Corporate Management, Master of Business Administration; Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Construction Economics; Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Marketing; Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Advertising, Marketing Communication; Economist. Commonalities: Plan, monitor, and organize business processes; support economic decision-making processes; negotiate with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer induction period or additional Ausbildung (vocational training).

What is it about? Real estate business administrators plan, organize, and monitor business activities in real estate purchases, sales, and utilization. Preparing Decisions: Is the vacant inner-city industrial area an interesting property to buy? Do internet real estate portals offer attractive additional sales opportunities for the terraced houses currently under construction? Should experiential shopping aspects be given more consideration in the management of the inner-city shopping center? Real estate business administrators know customer needs, the market, and the competitive situation. They stay informed about innovative marketing concepts, interesting real estate properties, and advantageous sales channels. This enables them to assess the advantages and disadvantages of different locations and usage concepts. They know which construction services they can reliably, on time, and consistently obtain from whom.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this Studium (university studies) profession. Abilities: Numerical (calculating) thinking (e.g., determining mortgage, insurance, and rental values; preparing cost and profit calculations). Observational accuracy (e.g., assessing buildings; determining design possibilities for a residential complex). Memorization ability (e.g., remembering names, faces, and preferences of real estate interested parties). Adaptability (e.g., quick and frequent switching between administrative tasks, site visits, and customer meetings under time pressure). Commercial aptitude (e.g., designing concepts for real estate purchases; determining the economic viability of home ownership). Planning and organizing ability (e.g., planning the use and maintenance of real estate; organizing real estate sales and utilization). Knowledge and Skills: Calculation skills (e.g., calculating).

Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung - GewO) of 22.02.1999 (BGBl. I S. 202), last amended by Article 34 of the Act of 04.02.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 33).

The practice of this profession may involve the following physical requirements. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or professional application. Unimpaired speech (e.g., presenting marketing concepts), near vision - even corrected (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning work on the computer), spatial vision (e.g., grasping the spatial conditions of a property), hearing and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding customer questions in a consultation for a house purchase) may be required. Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not to be understood as a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable precautions.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession, others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Real Estate: Job and staffing alternatives for partial activities and professional applications (with/without induction): Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Appraiser, Head of Real Estate Management, Property Manager (Real Estate). In related professions: Business Administrator (Hochschule).

The activity as a Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Real Estate is not regulated. No professional recognition is necessary to work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad. However, it is possible to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. According to the Trade Regulation Act (GewO) of 22.02.1999 (BGBl. I S. 202), last amended by Article 34 of the Act of 04.02.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 33), however, a permit from the competent authority is required for brokerage activities. To work in this area with a qualification acquired abroad, a determination of equivalence is mandatory. Competent authorities are, for example, the relevant Chambers of Industry and Commerce or public order offices. When searching for the competent authority for professional recognition...

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing the profession. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or professional application. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., presenting marketing concepts), uncorrectable visual impairment for near vision (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning work on the computer), missing/impaired spatial vision (e.g., grasping the spatial conditions of a property), hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear ailments (e.g., understanding customer questions in a consultation for a house purchase). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not to be understood as a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable precautions.

The following further staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Real Estate: Field of activity Management, Corporate Management. Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Corporate Management, Management, Master of Business Administration, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Construction Industry, Administrative Officer/Administrative Business Administrator. Similarities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes, supporting economic decision-making processes, negotiating with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned staffing alternatives may require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases.