End of September and into October, I was working in Germany, in Munich as well as in Düsseldorf, which is located on the banks of the Rhine river.
Perhaps you're like me: I can't drive or walk around without looking at the architecture that surrounds me. And since it's too early anyway for October market statistics, a few houses that caught my eye:
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMqlsWEGXI/AAAAAAAAAIc/-7ZCpYri5ps/s400/101014-5539+mod+DUS+E%23EB5B4.JPG) |
In Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth, overlooking the Rhine, a lovingly renovated home from the early '50s. Note flat tile roof, blacked-out window frames and balanced proportions. |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMqX_ASl-I/AAAAAAAAAIY/i_q3foZyojI/s400/101011-5479+DUS+Rhein+Lohh_.JPG) |
On the banks of the Rhine at above location, floodplain and a sliver of water on the left. |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMq8rWd3-I/AAAAAAAAAJE/9tQ7dxPTaHc/s400/101014-5537+mod+DUS+E%23EB5B1.JPG) |
New entrance of above house, integrated into existing landscaping. |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMrOW1MjhI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Z-XUrlijQ3s/s400/101014-5535+mod+DUS+E%23EB5AF.JPG) |
Same street: Single family home, with ramp to underground garage on right. |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMrhbj_z8I/AAAAAAAAAJU/KoKBQtzU-zg/s400/101014-5533+mod+DUS+E%23EB5AD.JPG) |
Note overall balance, with carefully weighted fields of glass, white stucco and sandstone. No garage doors to disturb the front elevation. |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMrqLYyQgI/AAAAAAAAAJY/4rNMfNyaV5Y/s400/101014-5546+mcm+DUS+K%23EB5BB.JPG) |
Low-key midcentury home in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel, also on the Rhine. Front is completely clad in white marble, typical for '70s building in the area. |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMr1pxbCbI/AAAAAAAAAJc/uCVr5v_AKcw/s400/101009-5427+mod+STA+W%23EB52A.JPG) |
New construction on a hillside in Starnberg, outside Munich. Note drystacked wall - stones are set by master craftsmen as delivered, without additional cutting on site. |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMr-xFHHPI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Fw_-LS-hiqk/s400/101009-5411+STA+Umg+Almeid_.JPG) |
Another new construction, overlooking Lake Starnberg. Lot value alone is probably in excess of $2.5M. |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gi-HyMtnL34/TNMsDTNxUyI/AAAAAAAAAJk/sDAmjgKtOuM/s400/101009-5410+STA+Umg+Almeid_.JPG) |
View from the terrace, overlooking the lake. Winter view will only improve with less foliage. Photos of the finished home to come after completion. |
If you wonder about lack of property details: no, I wasn't too lazy to research. Germans are very private people, and information that is readily available in the US – property sales records, lot sizes, owner names etc. - is all strictly guarded in Germany, protected by privacy laws. Facebook it ain't. From a US Realtor's perspective, it seems odd, but privacy does have advantages, doesn't it?