Building a house financially feasible or a pipe dream?

Child benefit (for young children) and FIXED salary components are of course fully taken into account in the household budget calculations at all banks. Parental allowance is the absolute exception, as it is not sustainably available. I took a look at your plans for the extension, I don’t think it’s bad at first glance. There would definitely be enough space for a third children’s room, but you would also have to remodel the existing structure. Temporarily moving out would be necessary for that, though.

Two of the six banks we inquired with back in 2015 included parental allowance in their calculations. Probably also because my wife, as a certified geriatric nurse, will definitely find work again, and some advisors then say “previously X€ per month, then parental allowance – if she works again afterwards, she will definitely have that X€ per month again”....

And she can work, wants to work, and will work – at the latest when all the children are in kindergarten, she can and will work 75% again and bring home 1000€ net.

There would definitely be space, actually even too much.

But changes to the existing structure are my problem here. Temporarily moving out, with 2 (or 3) small children, without an idea where to go except a hotel... that alone is already a challenge. And with everything that has already been done so far, and what still needs to be done, the costs will not be less than with a “larger” extension...

The question is, what exactly would have to be changed, and who can and wants to give me at least somewhat accurate figures regarding the cost and duration of the renovation...

What would you want to change there and how? Feel free to do so in the corresponding thread

Honestly ... I would bring up the topic of building a house / buying a suitable property again as soon as the banks release the budget. Everything else seems to be an extremely expensive compromise solution.

I wouldn't despair over three months of temporary accommodation. There are holiday apartments, flats, etc., see it as a little family adventure

I wouldn’t despair over three months of temporary accommodation. There are holiday apartments, apartments, etc., just see it as a small family adventure

I agree. In our case, the emergency solution for construction delays and the house already sold is a holiday home in a Landal Park. That should definitely work as a temporary solution

I don’t see that as the main problem either...

I am now going to various banks, explaining the situation to them, and having them tell me what is feasible and sensible in each case.

Then I will know that for a new building I can get a maximum amount X and will pay back amount Z for Y years. What the bank allows, I can afford – because that will be less than what I consider “possible” for myself based on my household budget.

I know what I can get at most for an extension/conversion, under the same aspects.

Maybe a bank has an even better idea that I haven’t thought of yet.

I would also go to the financial broker. They also have access, not just the banks with local presence.