I (40, single) decided to buy. Property built in 1991, high-quality fittings, total 710,000.-, equity 360,000.-, monthly interest burden 570.-, 200 sqm living space, 70 sqm basement, double garage. These were the reasons: - since I have little knowledge of handiwork and therefore always have to rely from the beginning on what others tell me - it takes luck, a lot of nerves, and much longer until you finally move into the perfect home - the financial planning security is greater - certain defects would already have shown before, you know what you are buying (damp basement etc.) - of course, depending on the property, renovations are necessary or simply improve the living quality, which you can deduct from taxes, which can be interesting with single marginal tax rates. - in retrospect, I am glad that I chose a financially safer option, as the follow-up costs are underestimated. The whole thing still has to be completely furnished with new furniture, lighting, entertainment electronics; for that you can count on 50,000.-. Also possibly another car (in my case all-wheel drive) to get there at all in winter. Whether building or buying, I can only recommend a station wagon since you have so much stuff to transport. A small house is certainly more appropriate as a single but if a family does come, maybe too small?