Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

the offspring have themselves long been under the ground and had ample time in turn to grumble about the youth :-( an ever-lasting cycle ;-)

They were simply good students: The younger ones equate themselves with the older ones and oppose them, in word and deed

We have already met some who prefer to live in a condominium with full service and travel the world without worries, rather than having to take care of a complete (vacant) house with garden regarding cleaning, burglary protection, garden maintenance, and so on. We would do that immediately too, as soon as the children leave the house. But that is certainly also a matter of mentality.

Properties do not get better over time. Who still wants the 80s junk with yellow/brown/green bathrooms, 300 sqm living space. Indoor pool (90% dried out due to immense costs or broken), old stucco ceilings, etc. etc. etc.? Its half-life is long over. Better to sell early, get a good price and do something new. Or take over such a scrap property with renovation backlog. But as I said, it’s a matter of mentality. Surely there are people who will defend their 200/300 sqm castle until their last breath :)

I do not want to deny that you know these people. Such people certainly exist, but you have a certain perspective, like most in this forum...

The typical homeowner in their mid-70s, 80s, does not travel the world carefree, but rather watches the news all day panic-stricken about how high the gas surcharge will be and wonders how they will even heat their house through the next winter.

And it’s not about the 300 sqm castle either, again with that perspective. I can share my perspective with you: My grandmother owned a 110 sqm house, built in 1949, which she had not renovated for 38 years after my grandfather’s death. No money available, her pension was enough for a somewhat decent life, but not for maintaining the house. We had to sell after her death and received less for the house and land than one would have gotten for the “cleaned” land alone...

The typical homeowner in their mid-70s, 80s, does not travel the world carefreely, but rather watches the news all day in panic about how high the gas surcharge will be and wonders how they will even manage to heat their house through the next winter.

Yes, but why only? I also told my parents: Sell the house and do whatever you want - go to Greece or something. They didn’t - typically German: healthcare, language, etc. pp.

They have all options - but they’d rather be scared and get upset.

Yes, but why only? I also told my parents: Sell the house and do whatever you want - go to Greece or something. They didn’t - typical German: healthcare, language, etc. etc. They have all options - but rather they get scared and upset.

Arrogance of youth, I understand that if you feel comfortable where you are. It's nice if you don't always necessarily want to go here or there, where it's better.

P.S. I would also go to Greece ;)

We bought such a house (built in 1977). Always maintained by good craftsmen, but not modernized. Every one of our craftsmen said this was a good foundation. We have now invested about 18% of the purchase price and renovated everything so that it is visually up to date, but also energetically sound (but you can’t turn an old horse into a fresh racehorse!). Ultimately, the idea was that the renovation would last for the next 25-30 years (then we would be 75), and during that time we would live well. After that (or even before?), depending on health, I would probably be interested in senior-friendly accommodation and in selling. That’s how the previous owner did it. Until then, I am enthusiastic about a small garden where I can grow something, enough rooms, and a cellar bar in the style of the 70s. To get back to the costs… for windows (from D) we currently get within 4-5 weeks at an acceptable price (including removal, disposal, installation about €700 net per sqm, 4 units, triple glazing, moderate burglary protection).

Afterwards (or even before?) depending on my health condition, I would probably be interested in senior-friendly accommodation and in selling.

Aha, and what is senior-friendly? Any apartment with an elevator? Or even something with care? That is insanely expensive! Just compare the prices of a 30-year-old house with stylish rental apartments or condominiums. But nice that you already included the subjunctive. I would bet that, like everyone else, you have no desire to move out when you’re old :D