Total price or price per sqm? How to compare property listings

The first number in a property listing can mean several things: the asking price for the entire property, the price of one square metre of land, or one month's rent. Before deciding what to view, put the listings on the same basis.

Our portfolio includes both properties for sale and properties to rent. Separate these transactions first. A small monthly rental rate tells you nothing about another property's purchase price.

1. Read the unit beside the price

• EUR may indicate the total asking price for the property described. Check whether the offer includes the entire property or only part of it.
• EUR/sqm means a price for each square metre. For land, request the exact area of the plot being offered.
• EUR/month means a fixed monthly rent for the specified space.
• EUR/sqm/month means monthly rent calculated using a particular area.

Read the price note too. Wording such as “from”, “for the 60 sqm module”, “plus VAT” or “utilities separate” changes the comparison. If the unit is unclear, request a written quote before calculating your budget.

2. Calculate a total for the exact offer

A purely illustrative example: 1,000 sqm of land at EUR 200/sqm gives an arithmetic total of EUR 200,000. The calculation is 1,000 × 200. This is not a portfolio offer and does not automatically include taxes or other costs.

The calculation only helps if the rate applies to the whole area and the plot can be purchased in that configuration. If a listing describes several plots, request the price and area of each. Do not assume that any quantity of land can be bought at the same unit rate.

A house's total price may include both the building and its land. Dividing the total by the house's floor area alone will not provide a complete comparison with another offer whose plot, condition and included features may differ.

3. Check which area you are using

Land area, usable floor area and built area describe different things. Do not divide one house's price by its built area and compare that result with another listing expressed using usable floor area.

For land for sale, note the plot's area, shape, frontage and available information about access. For buildings, request plans and the boundaries of the space included. Where a property has several buildings, clarify whether the asking price includes all of them.

4. For rentals, calculate the chosen module

An illustrative example: 300 sqm × EUR 6/sqm/month = EUR 1,800/month, before any separate charges. If a listing offers modules from 300 to 1,000 sqm, that calculation does not establish that the 300 sqm module is currently available or that every module has identical terms.

Request confirmation of the available module and an itemised quote covering rent, services, utilities, parking and VAT where applicable. For offices, clarify the area used to calculate the charge. Our office lease checklist covers questions to prepare before signing.

5. Keep a shortlist with comparable information

Save each listing's link and record:

• the transaction type and exact property included;
• the location and area used in your calculation;
• the currency, price unit and confirmed total;
• what the price includes and what remains separate;
• availability, condition and work required;
• information that has not yet been confirmed.

In the catalogue, choose sale or rent and the price basis to compare. Price sorting uses published EUR prices on that basis; properties without a comparable price appear last. Differences in VAT, specifications and additional charges still need to be checked in each listing.

What to send with a viewing request

Choose two or three properties that fit your intended use. Send their links, your space requirement, the budget you have in mind and your outstanding questions. Each listing's enquiry form automatically includes the selected property. Your proposed viewing time will be confirmed afterwards.

Start with the properties for sale, compare the published details and request the information that will help you decide what is worth visiting.