“Suddenly, there were solutions instead of problems”
INterview with Jaqueline Lüttgens | 23.09.2026
Jaqueline Lüttgens sees what others often miss: the potential of properties with history. In doing so, she has already turned many worried frowns into excited smiles. How did a former banker become a real estate agent? It was likely a mix of chance and fate.
When Jaqueline Lüttgens walks into a room, she has already knocked down the first wall in her mind. Where others see limitations, the Aachen native – with her trained photographer’s eye – sees architectural possibilities. After years as an employed real estate agent and part-time photographer, she is now taking the leap into self-employment with Lüttgens Immobilien. Starting in October 2026, the expert will market premium properties in the Aachen area. Her focus is on what makes a property special today – and what it could become in the future. Where transformation makes sense, Jaqueline Lüttgens brings it to life through professional visualisations.
A stroke of good fortune led the trained banker into the real estate sector. Which must-haves create an inviting atmosphere in her own home? What separates an exclusive property from one that is merely high-priced? And what does true luxury mean to the mother of a young son? Jaqueline Lüttgens aesthetics, design, and finding the perfect home.
Ms Lüttgens, where does your unique perspective on properties come from?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: I have a keen eye for aesthetics, a strong sense of spatial awareness, and I’ve always had a passion for architecture. That applies to the building’s exterior, but even more so to interior design. For years, I planned my own apartment, and in my mid-twenties, I brought those plans to life. Back then, I had no idea that my passion for real estate would eventually shape my professional path.
What prompted your career switch from banking to real estate?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: It was a lucky twist of fate. My future employer already knew me and had me in mind when founding his real estate company. We started talking and that set the wheels in motion for my entry into the property sector.
“Despite all the responsibility involved, buying or selling a property can – and should – feel effortless.”
So your passion for spatial design extends far beyond your own front door?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: Absolutely. When I walk into a property, I never see it just as it is. I instinctively reimagine it in my mind. In 2023, I completed additional training while working full-time in my second passion, photography. That really sharpened my eye for perspective, light, and atmosphere. On top of the bigger picture, I notice a great deal of detail.
Real estate agent and photographer sounds like a busy and fulfilling career. What made you decide to take the leap into self-employment?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: I wanted to combine my experience in real estate with my passion for photography and design. At the same time, it was crucial for me to dedicate the time and attention to each sale that it truly deserves. That’s how Lüttgens Immobilien was born. Not everyone can picture how spaces will feel after a transformation. Through professional visualisations, I make that potential tangible. Suddenly, a vision emerges of how a house could become a home.
Speaking of potential: are you generally an incurable optimist?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: No, I can often be pessimistic too. But when it comes to houses that people have written off, optimism definitely wins out. Of course, not every property has potential, but almost all of them have. In any case, I make sure to inspect every single property and form my own opinion.
When did you discover this talent for spotting hidden possibilities?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: There were recurring moments in conversations with buyers that made me realise it. Suddenly, their faces would light up because all at once, there were solutions instead of problems. Scepticism turned into genuine excitement. That really had a deep impact on me.
Speaking of excitement: what kind of property would you love to have in your portfolio?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: Something with history and character: a historic estate or a run-down villa on a fantastic plot of land. An old property that simply hasn’t received the love and attention it deserved – that would be my dream. That’s where you find the most untapped potential.
Buying or selling a property is a major life event for many, and one they approach with caution. Is that justified?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: Despite all the responsibility involved, buying or selling a property can – and should – feel effortless. That sense of ease is exactly what I aim to convey. I take as much off the sellers’ plates as possible and guide buyers through every step of the journey to their new home. It’s important to me to know every property as intimately as if it were my own. That includes its best features as well as its drawbacks. My clients don’t need to have answers to every question themselves. That’s what I’m here for – and I don’t shy away from addressing uncomfortable truths either.
In your experience, what is the most common mistake people make when buying or selling real estate?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: Actually, there are two: clients either rely solely on their emotions – their gut feeling – or focus strictly on the numbers. But whether you’re buying or selling, it’s essential to keep your eye on the bigger picture so you can make the best decision possible in the end.
“It requires natural materials – ideally a mix of textures and elements.”
With geopolitics and climate issues becoming increasingly complex, are you seeing an impact on the property market?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: Buyers today are far better informed than they used to be. When it comes to renovations, heating systems are a major focal point. On top of that, the financing process has become infinitely more complicated. Banks carry out extremely rigorous checks now, which takes a considerable amount of time. I’ve seen financing collapse right before signing the final contracts more than once with buyers who seemed financially solid. However, quality properties in prime locations are – and always will be – in high demand.
What defines a good, or even truly exclusive, property?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: An exclusive property has something truly unique about it: whether it’s an exceptional location, extraordinary architecture, or a distinct feature you don’t see every day. Exclusive properties have a character all their own.
What do exclusivity and luxury mean to you personally?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: For me, luxury is deeply connected to time and autonomy: having the freedom to control my own time, spending it meaningfully, and being with the people who matter most to me. I especially love spending time with my ten-year-old son. But professionally, too, I consider it a luxury to work alongside great partners and build high-quality results together. In short: to me, luxury means intentionally shaping your life, both personally and professionally.
And when it comes to living space: what are the must-haves in your own home?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: Must-haves for me are plenty of natural light and a garden or at least a terrace so I can step outside whenever I want. An open-plan kitchen-diner is also extremely important to me. I love cooking, hosting guests, and entertaining guests in the kitchen. I also need a quiet spot where I can retreat to focus on work. Overall, creating a welcoming, comfortable living atmosphere is essential to me.
How do you create that kind of atmosphere?
Jaqueline Lüttgens: It requires natural materials – ideally a mix of textures and elements. Australian homes have been a huge inspiration for me in this regard: part of the facade in natural stone, another part rendered, complemented by wooden elements. These combinations give houses an entirely different feel, a completely different depth. I’d love to bring that aesthetic here, both indoors and out. Natural materials radiate calmness. When wood, stone, metal, and textiles are thoughtfully coordinated, the result is beautiful and undeniably exclusive.
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