VICA offers an exclusive real estate service tailored to the needs of expatriates. I am your personal representative and confidant on site for all matters relating to real estate. In addition, VICA stands for a high level of expertise, commitment and genuine customer service. My aim is to find solutions that really suit you.
Are you being sent abroad for work, or does life lead you away from your home for a while for other reasons? Then the question naturally arises: what happens to your home while you are away?
The good news is you have come to the right place. With VICA I have created a personal service that offers thoughtful solutions for exactly this situation.
I am happy to support you with the temporary rental and management of your property, so that you can move back into your home upon your return and feel confident that your property was in the best hands during your stay abroad.
For those who prefer to handle the rental and management of their property themselves but still do not want to miss out on important tips, I offer rental consultation services.
My rental and management services focus on properties in Berlin and the surrounding area, since physical proximity is important for this type of support. Rental consultations, however, I am happy to provide for properties throughout Germany.
I look forward to supporting you!
Welcome to VICA, your Stefanie Gurow
Services
While you are away on assignment, your home deserves to be rented out in the best possible way: to tenants who truly feel at home there and care for your property with great attention. At the same time, your lease should offer you the utmost security, so you can return and move back into your own home.
To help bring this to life, VICA provides a variety of services tailored exactly to your personal needs and situation.
Do you already have a tenant but need some help with the lease agreement, or would you rather hand over the full rental and property management to VICA? Perhaps you would like to manage most of it yourself, while steering clear of any pitfalls and picking up valuable insights in my rental consulting?
Please get in touch for a free 15-minute call to ask your initial questions about my services and get a first overview.
Initial Consultation
In the initial consultation, you will gain comprehensive insights into fixed-term or open-ended rental options, key aspects of property management, and whether leaving some furniture in the property makes sense. We will discuss your situation together and create a tailored plan for you.
If you commission VICA for rental and/or property management after our discussion, the initial consultation is included in the contract and the costs are credited.
For a standalone consultation, the price is:
€120.00 net plus VAT per hour
(Minimum 45 minutes, then billed in 15-minute increments).
Schedule your initial consultation now. I look forward to hearing from you!
Rental Management
Let us find the perfect tenant for your property, someone who will happily take great care of your home and is fine with a fixed-term lease. This service is for properties in Berlin and the surrounding area, as local presence is essential.
Option 1: Full Rental Service by VICA
Price on request
My services include:
- Determining the permissible rent (taking into account the local rent index, the rent brake, and comparable offers)
- Marketing your property
- Coordinating and conducting viewings
- Comprehensive review of tenant applications (self-disclosure, credit check, proof of income, no rental arrears)
- Drafting an individual lease (incl. qualified fixed-term lease pursuant to § 575 BGB)
- Reviewing your statements and documents to calculate the service charge advances
- Advice on chargeable costs and other lease agreements
- Contract signing
- Handover with a detailed digital protocol
Option 2: Your Tenant + VICA Lease & Handover
Price on request
You find the tenant, I take care of:
- Comprehensive review of tenant applications (self-disclosure, credit check, proof of income, no rental arrears)
- If needed: determining the permissible rent (taking into account the local rent index, the rent brake, and comparable offers)
- Drafting an individual lease (incl. qualified fixed-term lease pursuant to § 575 BGB)
- Reviewing your statements and documents to calculate the service charge advances
- Advice on chargeable costs and other lease agreements
- Contract signing
- Handover with a detailed digital protocol
Important note: VICA does not offer short-term rentals or the letting of fully furnished living space. You will find out more in the free initial consultation!
Please consult your tax advisor. Rental costs may be tax-deductible for properties that are not owner-occupied.
Property Management
While you are away, I take care of your existing tenancy, act as the first point of contact for your tenants, and handle the tasks of special property management for you. Here, too, I offer flexible options from which you can choose what suits you best.
This service also applies to properties in Berlin and the surrounding area, as on-site presence is essential here.
Core services shared by both options:
- Communication with tenants, utility companies, authorities, and the homeowners’ association
- Timely preparation of operating cost statements when due
- Coordinating repairs, maintenance, and servicing appointments
- Reviewing invoices and compiling expenses for household-related services and trades work
- Handling move-outs/handovers and tenant changes
- Implementing rent increases (e.g. graduated rent increases)
- Factual and arithmetical review of property-related invoices
- Monitoring lease terms
- Great availability: by phone, email, or WhatsApp
- Personal support instead of a call center
- I am local, I am an expert in the field, and I am glad to be there for you and your tenants!
Price: from €135.00 plus VAT per month
Choose from the following options to complete your rental package:
Option A
- You manage your rent account yourself; rents go directly to your account.
- You monitor incoming rent payments (and if needed, VICA reminds the tenants when payment is overdue).
- VICA handles the placing of repair orders and checks all invoices; you take care of paying them.
- You receive an annual overview of all rental and management costs for your tax return.
Price: €135.00 plus VAT per month, no additional account fees
Option B
- VICA manages the account at DKB AG (you are the beneficial owner).
- What VICA also handles: building up reserves for payments, paying all invoices, monitoring incoming rent, and paying out a monthly rent transfer to you.
- VICA prepares a detailed annual statement for your tax records and keeps proper accounts with receipt archiving.
- Account maintenance fees and monthly management fees are debited directly from the rent account.
Price: €150.00 plus VAT per month
plus DKB AG account maintenance fees, currently €9.00 per month
Deposit
If you decide on the management package, VICA will manage the deposit for you on request: including setting up a deposit account at DKB AG, communication with the tenants, the deposit confirmation, and the reversal at the end of the tenancy.
Price: one-time €60.00 plus VAT
Alternatively, you set up your own deposit account. In any case, VICA advises you on the amount of the deposit that can be refunded after the tenants move out.
Rental Consulting
For your property throughout Germany!
Would you like to handle most of the rental and management yourself, but lack the necessary know-how and fear making mistakes? Then feel free to get comprehensive advice from me. I will explain the important information you should keep in mind as a landlord.
My rental consulting includes, among other things:
- Basics of fixed-term and open-ended rentals as well as valid reasons for fixed terms.
- Guidelines on rent determination, the rent index, and the rent brake.
- Tips on calculating the service charge advances.
- Useful facts about deposits and options for rent increases.
- Recommendations on lease templates and handover protocols.
- Explanations of lease contents and typical agreements.
- Tips on selecting tenants: requesting and evaluating documents.
- Rental strategies: viewings, exposé, rejections.
- Tips on preparing operating cost statements and more.
Important note: This is not legal advice. I am a certified Real Estate Specialist (DIA/IHK) and Property Manager (IHK). For binding legal questions, please consult a lawyer, an attorney, or the tenants’ association.
Price: €120.00 net plus VAT per hour
(Minimum 45 minutes, then billed in 15-minute increments).
Schedule your individual consultation now!
Buying Consultation
VICA offers you tailored real estate solutions – and with THE HOMESTARTER, a personal buying consultation for your path to ownership.
THE HOMESTARTER guides you step by step through the property purchase:
In individual one-on-one sessions, you receive exactly the support you need – at your own pace, modular or as a complete package. You learn to assess your financial situation realistically, to evaluate properties, and to ask the right questions before buying.
This way, you make decisions with greater clarity, can better weigh up risks, and walk your path to ownership securely and with a good feeling. THE HOMESTARTER offers you independent, personal advice as the foundation for sustainable wealth building.
Get to know THE HOMESTARTER and start with your personal buying consultation!
Selling
For the sale of your property, I offer you my support from the very beginning to the end of the entire sales process. Let us talk about your plans and wishes so that I can advise you as best as possible with regard to your sales goal. I support you with determining the asking price and compiling the sale-relevant documents, and I take over the marketing for you. I conduct viewings and handle sales negotiations. I accompany or represent you at the notarization of the purchase contract and, if you wish, take care of the handover to the new owners.
Feel free to get in touch for a consultation!
Contact
Thank you for your interest in my services.
Feel free to send me a message at hello@vica.berlin, give me a call, or contact me via WhatsApp:
I look forward to your message: which service you are interested in, a few initial details about your property, and from when you would like support.
You can reach me Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and by appointment.
About Me
My aim is to support you in all matters relating to real estate and to take the load off your shoulders. I help you with a clear head, empathy, and expertise. I have now been working in the real estate industry for 25 years: I am a trained clerk in property and housing management, a certified Real Estate Specialist & Property Manager with qualifications from the IHK and the German Real Estate Academy (DIA).
Through my work with expats, emigrants, and everyone who comes to Germany, I understand the particular needs during the departure and assignment phase. Reliable advice and support make the decisive difference here. I know the need for hands-on support and the wish for a person who listens & understands and offers individual solutions. I am that person!
With VICA I have created a service tailored to the needs of expats. VICA, by the way, is derived from Vicaria, Latin for representative. That is what I would like to be for you: the representative of your interests and your companion in all matters concerning your property.
Let me know what I can do for you! I keep track of everything for you, so that everything is just as it should be.
Sincerely,
Stefanie Gurow
Testimonials
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I bought an apartment with the help of Stefanie. I wouldn’t of been able to go through this process and feel confident and well informed without her help. As a young expat, being a homeowner seemed daunting at first, but I am so glad that we made it happen! Stefanie was always clear, quick, and delightfully friendly and I would 1000% recommend to anyone searching for a home or in need of her advice!
Catherine Slaton -
For our move from the UK to Berlin, it was so helpful for us to navigate the housing market with Stefanie Gurow's help. She was always professionally guiding us through the various contractual clauses and helping us to start our new life in Berlin as an expat family. Her help has made us feel settled and secure about our move and would highly recommend her services to others!
Danielle and Nicolas Williams -
Ms Stefanie Gurow has made our lives as expats much easier. When the focus of your professional life changes, you often face unexpected challenges with owning your own home in Germany. Suddenly problems arise or appointments have to be kept and you simply cannot be there. In this case, expertise, experience and reliability are required and that is exactly what Stefanie brings with her company VICA Immobilien Management. She mastered every situation, no matter how complicated, with a lot of patience and personal skill. She is always friendly and quick to help when needed. She approaches things thoughtfully and objectively and always finds a solution. We are very grateful for Stefanie's competent support and would like to warmly recommend her, because we know that she will take care of her and we can devote ourselves to our actual tasks.
Petra Gräfin von Hardenberg & Michèle Auga -
I own a flat in Berlin for over 10 years and since Stefanie started to manage it everything has been easier. Language barriers and bureaucracy in Germany are complicated. Stefanie deals with problems promptly. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for an estate agent which offers a wide array of services. Very grateful VICA!
Fabricia Tavarnaro Watson -
I can highly recommend working with VICA. It has been a great experience so far. Stefanie has really taken her time to understand my needs and support me in the best way possible. And I've always felt that someone has my back in the sometimes difficult process of buying a property.
Wiebke Arendt
FAQ
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Step 1: Please send me a message or call me to make an appointment.
Step 2: We get to know each other and you explain your individual needs.
Step 3: I will put together an offer that’s tailor-made for you.
Step 4: We agree on a contract and VICA takes over from there. It’s all very relaxed and easy. -
I handle rentals and property management for properties in Berlin and surrounding areas, because being right on the spot is key for these services. For properties elsewhere, I offer comprehensive online consulting. Please feel free to reach out to explore how I can support you.
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If you are part of a homeowners’ association, the communal property is managed by a property management company. I would be happy to take care of your apartment and rental relationship, and can also act as a point of contact for the property management, if desired.
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To get started, I will need all the essential details about the property, such as the year of construction, living area, usable space, number of rooms, and the furnishings. Additionally, documents such as the floor plan, billing statements, any maintenance contracts, the land register excerpt, and the energy certificate are required. Especially important are details about your individual preferences. Don’t worry, I will provide you with a clear list of the information and documents I need so we can approach the process together and smoothly.
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Yes, a temporary tenancy agreement can be arranged. To ensure the contract is legally valid, specific conditions must be met. As a real estate expert and property manager, I’m happy to guide you through the process and provide professional support.
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Yes, but only for a limited amount of time. According to the Prohibition of Misappropriation Act your property may not remain vacant for more than three months as a rule. Please find out more on the official website of the Berlin Senate Administration (German content). In addition to the legal situation, please be aware of the duties of care and due diligence as well as the duty to ensure road safety. These duties include the regular inspection of the property in order to check and secure them for sources of danger, as well as to ensure that, among other things, the winter service is carried out properly. In addition, the property should be heated and ventilated, and the taps should be turned on regularly to prevent mold or legionella growth. Therefore, in addition to the legal provisions, renting has very practical advantages.
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As a property owner, you are free to decide how to rent out your property: furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished. The best furnishing level depends on your personal situation and the target tenants you’re aiming for. A helpful rule of thumb is: “The more furnished the accommodation, the shorter the stay.” Picture the spectrum at both ends: arriving with just a suitcase for a fully equipped hotel-style room (short stay), or moving in with your entire household (more effort, but for the longest possible duration). I’m happy to advise you on the various options and benefits.
Please note, however, that VICA does not manage fully equipped properties provided with bedding, dishes, and similar household items.
In an initial consultation or rental advising session, I’ll help you craft a tailored offering for your property, your personal needs, and your target tenants.
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Our focus is on unfurnished or partially furnished apartments with a rental period of about 2 to 4 years, which we rent out and manage as part of the assignments of our clients. This way, we create an attractive home for several years, for tenants who prefer or specifically need temporary living arrangements, and provide property owners with a reliable solution where someone responsibly takes care of the property and enjoys living there until their return.
Therefore, short-term rentals or fully furnished apartments are not part of our offerings.
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I’m happy to support you during your departure, throughout your absence, upon your return home, and beyond if needed. In the departure phase, we’ll jointly develop the best solution for your time away and your return. During your absence, I handle the rental and management. Of course, I can continue managing your tenancy if you decide not to move back in yourself. Let’s discuss your ideas and wishes!
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Yes, my services are modular. Whether you need help with renting, management, sales, or rental consulting – you can select exactly the services that fit your current situation. This way, you get tailored solutions that match your needs perfectly.
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I will provide you with a detailed annual statement, outlining all relevant expenses, including management costs. If I manage your rental account, you will also receive a comprehensive overview of the income and the required documents for your tax return, particularly for household and craftsman services. Please note that I do not offer tax advisory services – my focus is on providing a clear financial overview that you can submit with your tax return.
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As your personal on-site representative, VICA provides comprehensive support throughout the entire sales process. I advise you on pricing, create an attractive property exposé, and organize viewing appointments. Additionally, I conduct credit checks on potential buyers and accompany you right through to the notary contract signing.
Please contact me with a brief description of your current situation, so we can find the optimal solution together.
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Even if you’re abroad and don’t plan to travel to Berlin personally for your property sale, I’m happy to support you. I handle the complete organization and on-site execution: from pricing to contract signing and full purchase agreement settlement. You can grant me a notarized power of attorney so I can represent you at the notary appointment. Alternatively, I can represent you without power of attorney, with a notary at your location approving the contract afterward. Let’s find the ideal path together to make the entire process efficient for you.
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Do you need assistance with notarizing a contract, clarifying land registry issues, or any other matters? Let me know – I’m happy to offer my support and find the best solution for you.