Justus Freudenberg, COO, Marcel Tamm, CFO and Daniel Pesch, CTO of Erste Hausverwaltung

As the first Odevo company in Germany, what made you join, and what excites you most looking ahead?
Justus: Our joint views on entrepreneurship and technology, with an expanding service offering. When we first sat down with Odevo, it became clear that we were very similar, even our presentations looked the same! It was a natural fit.

Residential property management always starts with people and hands-on services locally, but what excites us now is the opportunity to take it far beyond administration and build a fully integrated platform of services, from insurance and loans to energy, repairs, and renovation. As a part of Odevo, we can lead this transformation in Germany and create real, lasting value for clients and in the end all homeowners.

How would you describe the residential real estate market in Germany?
Marcel: The German market is still very fragmented, even the largest companies only hold around 1–2% market share. That creates both huge complexity and a huge opportunity. Odevo gives us a platform to change the industry in a way that combines local expertise with long-term, technology-driven growth.

When speaking with residential property managers wanting to join us, they quickly see that we bring something different — a strong match of vision, values, and capabilities.

Technology seems to play a very central role in Germany — why is that?
Daniel: It’s hard to deliver true operational improvement and value creation. That’s where technology is critical. In many ways, technology is the true differentiator.

Germany’s property management sector faces both talent shortages and rising customer demands. Our technology helps address both. With modern systems, AI-supported processes, and central platforms, we can work significantly more efficiently — we can become up to 20–30% more productive in some areas. That allows us to deliver best-in-class service levels to our customers, be it institutional investors or homeowner association, which would otherwise require large additional teams, for example with regards to customized reporting.

What type of people thrive at Odevo Germany?
Justus: We attract people who see change as an opportunity. Many come from other industries or backgrounds and are drawn to the challenge of modernising a very traditional sector. A lot of the new talent we bring on is tech-savvy, ambitious, and appreciative of the responsibility and freedom that comes with our way of working.

At the same time, it’s important to say: this is still a very local, hands-on and people-focused business. While our tech allows for flexibility, we are deeply committed to being physically present, building strong relationships with clients, and solving real-time problems for property owners and residents.

When you speak to entrepreneurs in Germany who consider joining Odevo, what resonates most with them?
Marcel: Most of the companies we speak to are led by strong entrepreneurs with a clear vision for how property management in Germany should evolve. They believe in digitisation, in better leadership, in raising the standards of our industry. But many feel they lack the resources, guidance, or simply the time to take the next step.

What resonates most is that we meet them eye to eye. We respect their independence and what they have built. At the same time, we can take over non-core functions like HR or finance, provide technology that truly improves operations, and free up time for what matters most: delivering excellent service to their customers.

It’s not about steering from the outside. It’s about enabling them to pursue their vision with stronger backing.

How do you balance being technology-driven with staying local and close to customers?
Daniel: Residential property management is, and will always be, a very local and personal business. Our customers want someone who can visit their building, understand their specific situation, and be present when it matters. Technology is not a replacement for that. It’s an enabler. It helps us remove friction, work smarter, and solve problems faster — but the relationship stays human.

In our ambition, we are very forward-looking. We believe strongly in digital tools, AI, and integrated services. But we combine that with local presence and real accountability. That balance is key in Germany, and it’s one of the reasons we believe we can lead the industry forward.