Short answer
Acquisition costs sit on top of price and do not add equal resale value. Composition and amount depend on location, brokerage, contract and finance. Use actual quotes and current official information.
Important variables
- Transfer tax in the actual location
- Legal and registry cost
- Brokerage commission
- Finance and valuation cost
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Worked example
At a €450,000 price, 8% acquisition cost is €36,000. In a wealth comparison this amount must first be recovered through appreciation or avoided alternative cost.
Break-even: What changes the result?
Buying without a broker removes one possible cost block. Regional tax differences and individual contracts prevent one reliable universal rate.
Common mistakes
- Treating a generic rate as guaranteed
- Adding costs to property value
- Forgetting selling cost at exit
Terms in this guide
Acquisition costsOne-off costs in addition to property price, such as taxes, legal work and possibly brokerage. Amount and composition depend on the case.Property transfer taxOne-off tax on a property purchase; the amount depends on jurisdiction.Property appreciationNominal change in property value over time; it is a scenario assumption, not a guarantee.Property sale costsCosts deducted from gross proceeds when the property is later sold.
Sources & assumptions
- European Central Bank — Bank interest rate statistics (2026-08-17)
- RATIOXA — Methodology and formulas (2026-08-17)
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