Build big? Or continue renting?

Because depending on what you want to build, it can take a while before your contractor starts. And ours doesn't start before the financing is secured, meaning signed. Without this exemption, you pay a lot of money for the money you haven't drawn down yet. We had to wait almost 11 months for our prefabricated house. Then the invoices also come in installments.... That's why it is important.

We had to pay standby interest for 50,000 € for 2 months already... that really hurt, since you get nothing for the money spent.

Are 12 months of interest-free provision period common/ is more possible?

The usual period is 6 months... for 12 months we had to fight. Or rather, our broker had to inquire several times. But we did not want to agree to less than 12 months, so the bank agreed to it.

The repayments are due immediately or only after the amount has been drawn? And how is it actually, in the 1st year, if the amount is only partially drawn, is the interest charged on the total amount or only on the drawn part? Because then the repayment in the 1st year would be higher in calculation...

Depends on what you agree on contractually.

Until the full payout, we only paid interest, no principal. Since last month, we have been repaying. Partly, the installment was actually higher than it is now. :)

What is better? I always thought to start repaying immediately, right? That's why the Kfw loans seem a bit suspicious to me.