Energy prices, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainties will remain key issues in the real estate market in 2026 as well. Ongoing tensions continue to drive volatility in the energy and commodities markets and are increasingly drawing prospective buyers’ attention to operating costs, energy consumption, and potential investments in modernization. Against this backdrop, the energy efficiency of properties is becoming increasingly important. In a recent online survey*, experts at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN examined the role that energy price trends and inflation currently play in discussions with clients, the extent to which energy efficiency influences purchasing decisions, and how its importance is likely to evolve in the coming years.
“Our expert survey clearly shows that prospective buyers today view real estate in a much more holistic way than they did a few years ago. In addition to traditional factors such as location, size, amenities, and purchase price, ongoing energy costs, a property’s energy efficiency, and potential future modernization investments are increasingly coming into focus,” says Daniel Ritter, managing partner at VON POLL IMMOBILIEN. “Buyers today do more extensive research, compare options more carefully, and scrutinize more closely what costs they might face in the medium and long term. As a result, transparency and a clear assessment of a property’s energy efficiency are becoming noticeably more important—both for prospective buyers and for owners.”
Energy Prices and Inflation: A Key Topic in Client Discussions
Fig. 1 – Source: VON POLL IMMOBILIEN – As of May 2026
Energy prices and inflation play a significant role in client discussions: While 35.9 percent of the real estate experts surveyed currently attribute a moderate level of importance to the topic, another 33 percent see it as highly important, and 13.4 percent even consider it extremely important. For only 15.8 percent, these topics currently play only a minor role, while 1.9 percent do not currently consider them relevant in client discussions.
“The results thus clearly show that economic conditions have long since become an integral part of real estate consulting. We also see this in our daily practice: Today, buyers compare options much more thoroughly and ask more probing questions than they did a few years ago about the ongoing costs they can expect in the medium and long term. In particular, issues such as heating, energy, and electricity costs, the property’s energy efficiency, and potential renovation and modernization measures are playing a noticeably greater role in the decision-making process. For owners and real estate agents, this also means that transparency and a clear assessment of the property’s energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important,” explains Ritter of VON POLL IMMOBILIEN.
Energy efficiency significantly influences the purchase decision
Fig. 2 – Source: VON POLL IMMOBILIEN – As of May 2026
It is clear that a property’s energy efficiency now significantly influences the purchase decision: 48.3 percent of the real estate experts surveyed report a strong influence on the purchase decision, another 20.6 percent even report a very strong influence, while 25.8 percent observe at least a moderate influence. Only 5.3 percent currently rate its importance as low; not a single respondent sees no influence at all.
“We are increasingly observing that buyers are actively incorporating energy-related aspects into their decision-making. The energy efficiency of a property is scrutinized much more closely today and can be a decisive factor, especially when comparing similar properties. For owners, this also means that setting a realistic asking price and transparently presenting energy performance characteristics and potential for improvement are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, it is evident that properties with a clearly documented energy status often attract greater interest from prospective buyers and are easier to position in the market,” notes Ritter of VON POLL IMMOBILIEN.
Properties in Need of Renovation: Demand Is Becoming More Cautious
Fig. 3 – Source: VON POLL IMMOBILIEN – As of May 2026
It is interesting to note, however, that the real estate experts surveyed have observed a somewhat more subdued demand for properties in need of renovation since the beginning of the year: While 28.2 percent report no change, a total of 62.6 percent report a slight or significant decline in demand. In contrast, 8.6 percent note a slight increase and 0.5 percent a significant increase in interest in properties in need of renovation.
“Properties in need of renovation remain in demand—especially in sought-after and very desirable residential areas—but the dynamics of demand have noticeably changed. Today, prospective buyers are paying much closer attention to what investments might be necessary after the purchase and how well these can be calculated. Rising construction, material, and energy costs, in particular, have heightened sensitivity to renovation and modernization expenses as well as follow-up costs. At the same time, many buyers continue to see potential in properties in need of renovation—especially when price, condition, and development potential align in a transparent and realistic way'
Energy efficiency: Expected to continue growing in importance
Fig. 4 – Source: VON POLL IMMOBILIEN – As of May 2026
For the next two to three years, the real estate experts surveyed expect energy efficiency to become even more important: More than half of the respondents (57.4 percent) believe that the energy efficiency of real estate will become significantly more important, while another 28.7 percent expect it to become somewhat more relevant. 8.6 percent of the experts do not anticipate any significant change, while only 3.8 percent of respondents—or 1.4 percent—expect its importance to decrease slightly or significantly.
“The results make it clear that energy efficiency is increasingly becoming an integral part of the property selection process for prospective buyers. This is no longer solely about sustainability aspects, but primarily about transparency, ongoing costs, and a property’s long-term appeal. Especially in a balanced market environment, where buyers are once again able to compare options more thoroughly and make more informed decisions, transparent information about a property’s energy performance is becoming significantly more important. For owners, however, this does not automatically mean there is immediate pressure to act. Rather, it is important to realistically assess energy performance characteristics and potential development prospects and to communicate them professionally'
About the Survey
*The online survey was conducted by VON POLL IMMOBILIEN among 236 independent real estate experts at the company in May 2026.
All data and graphics may be used and published with a reference to the following source: VON POLL IMMOBILIEN
