Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Auernigg, the service range of PlanetHome Immobilien Austria GmbH is divided just like that of its German parent company into three areas: selling real estate, searching, and financing. Where exactly do you support your clients in these areas?

Markus Auernigg: Essentially, we offer an integrated business model in which the client finds a central contact person for all aspects related to the purchase or sale of real estate. When a seller takes advantage of our services, this includes the expert appraisal of the property; thus determining the market value, compiling all necessary documents up to the accompaniment to the purchase contract appointment, and the subsequent handover of the property. Potential real estate buyers have access to our professional brokerage services and the corresponding real estate financing.

Wirtschaftsforum: The past years, marked by the war in Ukraine, rising interest rates, and increasing inflation, have posed significant challenges to the real estate industry. What impacts have these developments had on PlanetHome Immobilien ­Austria GmbH?

Markus Auernigg: In the phase of recovery, we launched a massive growth program in Austria, hired new staff, and expanded our competencies. A change in the market has occurred due to the accumulation of these circumstances, which we had to respond to. In the years 2022 and 2023, we were forced to reduce our staff and close locations. I predict that we have passed the lowest point. Our revenues currently show a noticeable upward trend triggered in part by the moderate reduction in interest rates and the easing of mortgage registration fees. These parameters, combined with rising rents due to a shortage of housing supply following construction stops, lead to increasing demand for property. I expect that we will be able to hire new employees very soon. We reacted very early to the changes and adjusted our strategic orientation accordingly.

Wirtschaftsforum: What exactly do these adjustments look like?

Markus Auernigg: Currently, we are restructuring our entire sales and marketing strategy. We will reorient ourselves in many sub-sectors and are moving from a more object-focused strategy with a focus on the seller towards an optimized service for prospective buyers. Additionally, we are establishing a competence center for special real estate segments. Existing apartments remain our core business, and here we are increasingly moving towards the sale of luxurious properties.

Wirtschaftsforum: The Planet­Home Group is one of the leading real estate service providers in Germany and Austria. What is the basis for past and future success?

Markus Auernigg: We have a core of long-standing, excellently trained employees, who are probably our greatest strength. Our German parent company provides technical innovation, for example in areas of digitalization or AI, which enable us to meet the current market requirements. Areas of application include automated customer contact or the creation of exposés, so that the customer is serviced more quickly and the agent can spend more time on direct customer care. The use of new technologies in combination with the high competence and quality of our agents gives us a strong competitive advantage.

In general, our business model is relatively crisis-proof, as we cooperate with the largest financial service companies in Germany and Austria. We benefit from a corresponding reputation and rely on referral management. We plan to grow more strongly with our financial service partners and want to significantly strengthen our B2C business. We are experiencing a phase of market consolidation. I see this as an opportunity for quality, performance, and efficiency to prevail in the industry in order to come out of the crisis well and strengthened, and for the industry as a whole to achieve a better reputation.