Buying an old house - How to proceed, what to consider?

Hello everyone,

we are complete beginners in the real estate buying area and therefore here :)

We want to buy a house from the family at the end of the year. It is a mid-terrace house from 1965. The price would be €110,000. Other houses from this settlement were recently sold for €120,000 to €150,000, depending on the level of development/renovation. So I think the price is reasonable.

Some work will be required on the house. Roof and roof windows, bathrooms, balcony and terrace, and cellar exterior stairs would need to be done. Inside, floors and painting work.

Windows and heating (condensing/gas) are new.

How should we proceed best now? Ask the individual tradespeople ourselves? Can someone be commissioned for the planning and cost estimation of these works (architect?) We would need the approximate costs before we arrange the financing.

Are there generally, for example, books that you can recommend for preparation/accompaniment of a construction project?

Thanks in advance!

Regards
Judith

Ask the other buyers about surprises or send another expert/surveyor specialized in [Bautenschutz] or [Altbau] through the house. If you are unlucky, there might still be old burdens, etc. The expert will then also provide you with a cost estimate - at least that’s what he did for us. The whole thing then cost around €600. Whether it really costs as much as the expert believes is of course another matter, but roughly it should be about right when outsourcing.

How should we proceed now? Should we contact the individual trades ourselves? Can someone be commissioned for the planning and cost estimation of these works (architect?).

We went through this ourselves in autumn (though without completion so far). I contacted all the trades individually myself (plumbing, electrical, painter/flooring, drywall). This only works well if the craftsmen cooperate a bit and if inspections are possible (every craftsman will want to see the property). For financing, the offers/quotes were then also sufficient. This was certainly the more labor-intensive option for us, but free of charge (just some phone costs). Alternatively, you commission an architect or (better?) a building surveyor. He should assess the condition of the property and prepare a list of the necessary works along with the expected costs. A financing bank will certainly accept that. One more tip: multiply every cost estimate for the bathroom by at least 1.5, or simply assume 15,000 euros per bathroom yourself. Of course, it depends ...

Are there generally, for example, books that you can recommend for preparing/accompanying a construction project?

There is something from the consumer advice center, also with many good checklists (almost too many), ISBN 978-3863360528. Or from Stiftung Warentest ISBN 978-3868514025. Take a look at these in the library to see if they are something for you.