The Karlsruhe area is great, that's where I'm originally from. If you are frugal people and the property is well located, then I would do it. The inflation rate for real estate is currently outpacing your potential savings rate based on your salary, especially when you consider the crazy eco-mandated cost increases in construction that await us in the medium term. Therefore, the buying opportunities will probably not improve in the foreseeable future, unfortunately. Set the repayment rate low, lock in the interest rate for as long as possible, and first build up a financial cushion to bridge a possible parental leave. Once the financial cushion is big enough, make substantial extra repayments. If child 2 comes at some point, you can sell the apartment and thereby hopefully have a solid financial foundation for a house.