A recent analysis by Sprengnetter and ImmoScout24 demonstrates that the estate-agent share successfully stabilised at a high level in the second quarter of 2025, underlining the importance of professional property marketing.
- The estate-agent share across Germany is stabilising at 65 per cent, close to the long-term average.
- Leipzig has the highest estate-agent share at 71 per cent, closely followed by Hamburg at 70 per cent.
- Cologne records the strongest positive development compared with the previous quarter, rising by seven percentage points.
- Essen shows the largest downward change, falling by five percentage points from 68 to 63 per cent.
Development of the estate-agent share
The proportion of properties marketed by estate agents across Germany shows remarkable stability: it has remained at 65 per cent for the second consecutive quarter, a clear recovery after the low of 61 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This confirms that the positive turnaround in the first quarter has become established.
Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the share is down three percentage points (Q2 2024: 68 per cent). The longer-term view nevertheless shows consolidation at a solid level: the estate-agent share is well above the lows seen at the end of 2024 and has almost returned to its long-term average.
“The unchanged estate-agent share of 65 per cent in the second quarter is an encouraging signal for the industry“, explains Christian Sauerborn, Chief Analyst at Sprengnetter. “Following the strong recovery at the beginning of the year, we are now seeing healthy consolidation. The figures demonstrate that professional property marketing has an established place in the market, particularly in challenging times.“
Regional differences shape the picture
The analysis of Germany’s ten largest cities also reveals a varied picture in the second quarter of 2025. Leipzig tops the ranking with an estate-agent share of 71 per cent, followed by Hamburg at 70 per cent. These two cities show the greatest demand for professional property marketing. Frankfurt am Main is at the bottom with 60 per cent, while Munich (62%) and Cologne (63%) are also below the national average.
The development in Cologne is particularly striking: the city records the strongest positive change compared with the previous quarter, rising by seven percentage points from 56% to 63%. This shows that market conditions there have improved significantly. Munich (+4%), Leipzig (+2%), Berlin and Düsseldorf (+1% each) also show positive developments.
By contrast, Essen records the strongest negative development, falling by five percentage points from 68% to 63%. Hamburg, Dortmund and Stuttgart each also fell by three percentage points.
Digitalisation as a success factor
The stability of the estate-agent share also reflects the success of agents who embrace modern technology. Professional valuation tools and digital marketing strategies have proved to be decisive competitive advantages.
“Estate agents who rely on robust valuation tools and digital solutions can maintain their position even during volatile market phases“, Sauerborn continues. “The latest figures confirm that those who continuously professionalise and modernise their services will succeed in the long term.“
Outlook: established position
The stabilisation of the estate-agent share at a solid level shows that the industry has adapted successfully to changing market conditions. The regional differences make clear, however, that local factors continue to play an important role. Further consolidation at the current level is expected in the coming months. The challenge for estate agents is to strengthen their position further through continuous professionalisation and excellent service, and to benefit from stable market conditions.
Methodology
This analysis examined more than 400,000 owner-occupied flats between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2025.