Baukindergeld - Does it no longer have to be the first property ever acquired?

For new construction, the relevant date is the date of the building permit; for existing property acquisitions, it is the date of the purchase contract of the newly acquired property. On this day, one must not be in possession of a property. If on the day of signing the notarial purchase contract (new property) you still owned the old one or you still (partially) own another property, then you are out of luck. This has been the case from the beginning. (Only previously it was always referred to as first acquisition)

I understand the point behind it but not the meaning. For example, with us, we signed the purchase contract for a new house around September. Now we sold our current house, logically only after that. Who does it the other way around?

We are only moving next year. So the application would be only then.

Do you then have no chance at all?

How can the KFW check if I had not yet sold the old house at that time or if the purchase contract had not yet been notarized? Basically, they do not know anything about the old house at first.

I don’t understand the point behind it. For example, with us it was like this: we signed the purchase contract for a new house around September. Now we sold our current house, logically only afterwards. Who would do it the other way around?

Many people. For example, me in the summer.

Do you have no chance at all then?

You can always cheat. But then don't be surprised if it doesn't work out sometimes and the consequences hurt.

How can the KFW check if I hadn’t sold the old house at that time or if the purchase contract hadn’t been notarized yet? Basically, they don’t know anything about the old house at first.

They find out if you put it in the application. Otherwise, it’s simply fraud. Nothing more, nothing less. Count it under bad luck

I suppose I'll have to. Indeed, it turned out badly if you have to give up "gifted" 24k€ because of it

The topic of [Baukindergeld] is omnipresent. I don’t understand how anyone buys a property without spending a few minutes dealing with it.

The question is rather in which order was bought and sold. The key date is the signed purchase agreement.

Did I understand that correctly, for a sale the key date is the signed purchase agreement. And for a new building then the date of the building permit?