Buy a condominium for the time "after the house"?

We like the quiet, yet still very quickly accessible central location.

The central location is usually very subjective. Not everyone over 70 can still manage 700 meters or more zigzagging through the city or wants to use public transport to get to the next doctor’s appointment. Needs also change quickly as you age. As an investment property, if you can manage it – why not? Those of us of the relevant age will probably prefer to invest the money in flexible freedom and buy a motorhome. I will not downsize permanently – I need my space for hobbies and life. Later, if I have to, it will be that way. But then it will only be rented.

I don't know if the apartment is now optimal as a capital investment, for that we would not primarily acquire it as mentioned.

15 years is already a long time during which the invested capital is tied up without own use. In my opinion, a reasonable return (whatever that specifically means for you) has to come out of it. Regarding the topic of central location, I would like to point out that this is not necessarily age-appropriate. For example, if I look at our neighbor, who with mid-70s and damaged knees just manages to get from the house to the garage... a bus stop 300m away is already too far.

Don't underestimate the risk. The parents of our friends wanted to do exactly what you are considering. You can only register [Eigenbedarf] once the house is sold. But then you typically have to move out soon. And if the tenants refuse to move out, it quickly drags on for one or two years during which an interim solution is needed. Result: In the end, the parents of our friends bought another apartment because they were tired of not being able to move into the planned apartment. And that was 10 years ago. In 15 years, tenant rights have certainly increased.

Do not underestimate the risk. The parents of our friends wanted to do exactly what you are considering. You can only register owner’s occupancy once the house is sold. But then you typically have to move out soon. And if the tenants refuse to move out, it can drag on quickly for one or two years, during which you need an interim solution. Result: In the end, the parents of the friends bought another apartment because they were fed up with not being able to move into the planned apartment. And that was 10 years ago. In 15 years, tenants' rights will certainly have increased even more.

And under certain circumstances, the procedure does not take 1 to 2 years, but sometimes many years. With acquaintances, it is now in its 4th year (owner’s occupancy). Other acquaintances are disputing an inheritance case; they now have a court date at the end of this year, and the matter has already been going on for 2 years. Just want to say, the courts are hopelessly overloaded. And will a judge recognize owner’s occupancy if you have brought yourself into that situation without necessity?

So, in short: I would do it if we like the apartment.

We like the apartment very much in itself.

Do not underestimate the risk. The parents of our friends wanted to do exactly what you are considering. You can only file for personal use once the house is sold. But then you usually have to move out soon. And if the tenants refuse to move out, it can quickly drag on for one or two years during which you need an interim solution.
Result.

And under certain circumstances, the process doesn’t take 1 to 2 years, but sometimes many years. For acquaintances, it is now in the 4th year (personal use).

We viewed the apartment today; the current tenants, a couple in their mid-70s, have lived in the apartment for about 19 years and want to continue living there. So it’s not quite so simple regarding personal use.

The couple is very friendly and, to be honest, the woman was totally upset because they are afraid that a new owner could now claim personal use.

If all goes well, our timing plan could basically work out with their possibly expected life expectancy (I hope this doesn’t sound morbid, that is not what I mean).

Some posts can’t be liked and quoted … so like this

The residential complex is built in an L shape. The mentioned apartment is located on the outer edge and the building is in "second row" on a very large property.

The shopping facility is even closer than I thought. About 300m away on foot. The main street with doctors, pharmacy, butcher, bakery, and public transport is 500m away.

The nature reserve is also about 300m away.

The two residents love the location; they also raved about it to us and explained in detail why they absolutely want to continue living there.

We are going to do the math and think it over, even if we possibly don’t want/can’t move in there in 15 years.

We viewed the apartment today, the current tenants, a couple in their mid-70s, have been living in the apartment for over 19 years and want to continue living there. So it's not quite that simple regarding personal use. The couple is very friendly and honestly the woman was totally nervous because they are afraid that a new owner could now claim personal use.

That's exactly what I meant when I said somewhere earlier whether you can just terminate like that ... that referred to one's own moral standards and not the legal situation.