So,
we decided in mid-2015 to buy a developer-built end-terrace house with 128 sqm living space and 366 sqm land in a good location. The house cost 230,000 euros turnkey, including a garage and rudimentary landscaping. At that price, of course, without a basement.
I financed the house 100%. Additional purchase costs, furniture, and interior finishing I paid from equity. The kitchen was financed through a separate loan. I don’t kid myself. The house is a completely standard concrete prefabricated house with all the disadvantages that come with the material concrete. However, you always have to make compromises somewhere with limited means. In return, the house is adjacent to a field on two sides, which may not be built on. In that respect, it’s better than some semi-detached houses.
Our neighbor (middle house) sold his house last year for 419,000 euros. From that point of view, the timing of the purchase was absolutely perfect. I did everything on the house that had to be expanded or improved myself – at the time, I could not foresee that 1. I would have talent for it, and 2. that it would even be fun for me as a balance to work. My daughter is now 8 years old, and the dog is still around ;-)
The first few years were a bit tight financially because (of course) the car also broke down right after moving in. However, since then I have been able to increase our household net income to almost 6,000 euros, which was not foreseeable at that time either. Now I only have the house loan left to pay off from all the loans. In any case, I’m glad I dared to do it back then despite many (correct) comments.