ImmobilienScout24 remains the default for German property and the data is detailed. My issue is that without paying you're effectively at the back of the queue, and the housing shortage makes that painful. Mixed feelings: great database, frustrating economics.
Detailed property data
Hard to compete without paying
I lost count of how many fake listings I contacted on ImmobilienScout24, with landlords claiming to be abroad and asking for a deposit before any viewing. Reporting them felt pointless as new ones appeared daily. Genuinely off-putting for someone new to the German market.
Frequent scam listings, weak moderation
The selection on ImmobilienScout24 is great but as soon as I enquired about flats I was flooded with automated replies and a couple of obvious scams. For a paid platform I expected better filtering of dodgy landlords. Disappointing given how much I relied on it.
Wide selection
Spam and dubious landlord replies
ImmobilienScout24 had the most listings by far when I was hunting in Berlin. The filters for Kaltmiete and Warmmiete are handy and the SCHUFA upload feature saved time with applications. Competition is fierce so you must be quick, but the portal itself is excellent.
Massive listing pool, useful filters
Free tier limits visibility
ImmobilienScout24 is comprehensive and I did find decent options in Munich. The catch is that the most attractive listings nudge you toward the premium membership to stand out. It's a solid tool but I felt pushed to pay just to be noticed by landlords.
Comprehensive listings
Premium membership pressure