400k house financing - Who can take away my fear?

Add a solid 50 K EUR to the costs.

The basement is a usable basement for 60 K EUR (including excavation costs?).
Realistically equipped, I would rather estimate it at 100 K EUR.

The banks easily finance these numbers.
It’s normal today, but of course a lot of money – but just money.

Well, it's a matter of taste. We had pretty similar conditions, a grant + 120k equity, no children yet, roughly the same income, but a distribution close to 50/50. Additionally, my wife is a civil servant. Still, we only financed "just" 320k, even though the actual 300k wouldn't have been enough for us.

1200€/month is probably manageable for us, but now I'm glad we didn't borrow more.

How did we manage that? No basement, instead of a double garage a carport. And that in Lower Bavaria.

I don't want to present this as THE way, but think about what you really need and what you don't...

Only your acquaintances can tell you that.

We are very modest people and, due to our lifestyle, have more money left at the end of the month than others who have a much higher household income.

I know some who have financed 400k and upwards with a similar salary, whether for new builds or existing properties.

Many do not think about it at all because they assume they will get a salary increase every year or supposedly have a secure job until retirement.

For example, an acquaintance took out a financing deal 12 months ago for 10 years (about 400k€), with 6 months of availability and will only move in in 6 months.

Furthermore, he actually told me in a conversation that, in his opinion, interest rates in 10 years will not be higher than 3%. Who would want to risk that amount?

...and then others have to refinance because they simply miscalculated.

Much of it is simply bad advice (bank-side), wrong expectations, and ideas about one’s own financial capability.

I am with matte

Maybe you can manage the amount on paper and otherwise without problems for now.

But the amount as such is too high, since you are already unsettled now.

I basically have something against "going with the flow" and this whole competition frenzy. Nobody benefits from it. 250sqm for 2 people... maybe someday 4 - you only work for the house and are stressed inside. The good piece also wants to be kept clean... Your wife will not be bored either, just like you.

Will it hurt to leave out the basement or go with 135 with a basement?
I mean, the garden will also cost something, the planned 15000 is enough for paving, and it shouldn’t be a cheap kitchen either, right?

I also chose only a 10-year fixed interest period (at a significantly lower amount). I, too, am betting on low interest rates in the coming years. It's just a gamble and everyone has to decide for themselves. You can calculate when something becomes worthwhile. Because security costs.

With a significantly lower amount, there is nothing against it (my personal opinion).

I do not secure myself through the long term period out of fear of higher interest rates, but rather against unforeseen events that prevent one or more special repayments. Because anyone can happen that in their domain, maybe due to age reasons or simply bad luck, they can no longer gain a foothold. Then you are left with a lower income in 10 or 15 years and cannot get follow-up financing because something is not right. I am also not a fan of "the interest rate must be fixed for the next 30 years," but a lot can really happen in 20 years.

I chose only 10 years fixed interest period (with a significantly lower amount) as well. I also expect low interest rates in the coming years. It's just a gamble and everyone has to decide for themselves. You can calculate from when something pays off. Because security costs