1972 house with 174 sqm from the neighborhood

There are two more possibilities that have not been discussed. The parents can have a land charge registered on their house if it is already paid off. This reduces the interest rate with very low risk, because it is practically impossible that an existing building brings so little in a forced sale that the parents' house must be sold as well. Secondly, the parents can also buy the house and rent it to the son. This offers some tax advantages and can later be sold to the son if it is to become the family home.

The house of my parents is indeed debt-free, but I do not want to register any mortgage here. I would not feel good about that. I would only accept the 'grant' from my parents if I could not get a loan without it, or if the conditions were miserable, and I was really sure that I could manage it.

I have just inspected the house again with my father and will look at it again tonight with a family friend (builder) regarding the outdoor facilities. My father basically also got a good impression of the house. He only sees renovation needs where I see them (he is not a builder but has more experience). What stood out today, however, is that the ceiling height is quite low; in 2016 a underfloor heating system was installed, and the floor structure has become significantly thicker because of that. As a result, the ceiling height is about 2.4 meters and the doors are only about 1.9 meters high... I am only about 1.7 meters tall, so I personally see no problem, but it is not so great.

Until now I have been more a fan of timber frame construction, so I have little knowledge here. The basement (at least the 3 sides of the slope) is built from heavy concrete blocks, the rest of the house is made of Ytong. As I said, I have little knowledge here, but what do experts say about Ytong in terms of energy balance and living health? I will get in touch again tomorrow or tonight when I have inspected the outdoor facilities again and talked to my parents about their impression. Then I will decide whether a visit to the financing advisor and the house bank makes sense or not.

Then I will decide whether a visit to the financing advisor and the house bank makes sense or not.

I would have already made the appointment last week if I were you. You don't lose anything and find out what the conditions are and how high your living expenses are. You can go through all the options with them.

I have now looked at the terrace with the family friend. He considers the terrace very simple, and depending on own effort, it can be done for under 10k. But! The path behind the house is a major construction site. It is currently dry, and there is actually no need for action. His statement was, if it has held for 50 years, it will last even longer. However, the terrace also became leaky. That would become a large project, with enormous effort and costs, since it is very narrow, the dirt cannot be easily removed, and therefore it would take forever. He estimates about 40k euros. If I add the roof to that, which may or may not happen, and the compromises I have to make. Plus the fact that I am committing myself, have no equity, and not really much is set in my future, I have decided against it. Nevertheless, thank you very much for the input and feedback.