Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

Well. I think when some people face the decision of [Erbpacht] yes or no, they don't do so voluntarily but because there is hardly any alternative. But I would also prefer to move 15 km further out than to have a property that at the latest will bring nothing to my grandchildren. For me, that is not real ownership either. Because with the bank, I have it in my own hands to pay off my house and then it belongs to me. But of course, it is an individual decision that everyone should make for themselves.

But I notice you feel attacked. That was not my intention.

I don’t. I’m trying to explain. But whoever doesn’t want to understand will have a hard time with it. It’s about every “thing” that is (here) discussed. Everyone who has it differently belittles the other. The smaller target group is wrong. It’s just exhausting to argue against four ;) But not everyone here is like that. Let’s put the inheritance story aside for now, although it is true that we will also be passing on our house by leasehold.

Nope. Because after paying off, the house belongs to me. Truly and definitively. And if I meet my obligations until then, nothing can go wrong.

Yes, that’s not what I mean. It’s about the situation that you can still sleep well when you finance several hundred thousand euros. It doesn’t matter who owns the house. It is financed with borrowed capital, and these 30-40 years don’t negatively affect you. You are in the land register, and you know that. Although the bank is in first rank. It’s the same with the leasehold property: you don’t notice that it’s not yours. You have all the rights and obligations of a landowner. There is no difference. It is actually only the financial aspect, virtually a means to an end. The lessee is in the land register …. Bank//Lessee! Nothing else. Whether now, in 20 or 50 years. It doesn’t matter who owns the land. And we don’t have to talk now about death, about 80 years or eternity… houses that are built nowadays and how they will look in 80 years. We already read all the time about how many inherited houses are being sold, liquidated and demolished so that someone else can realize their ideas. Gardens are also being torn down… And now back to the topic of inheritance: our children have built something themselves. A big house for a family. The times when you retire at around 50 here and clear the house, move into a retirement flat or something similar are hardly ever anymore. If I still live in this house of mine when I retire, then my grandchildren will have long since steered their own life plans in the right direction. I could finance their studies with a warm hand. In my case, the liquid funds are available much earlier and then well invested. This inheritance thing from current parents to their children (which you are talking about) is nothing other than what we experience today as builders, seekers, and potential buyers: houses decay because the children don’t get along anymore over a few euros and therefore the house (with or without ownership of the land) stands empty for a long time. The property often cannot be liquidated at all and if it can, then only with difficulty and below value. Generations always want something different than they find. The 80s of my parents were characterized by architectural generosity. Your generation wants a dressing room and a children’s bathroom. Your children will want small rooms (because energy will become very expensive), the grandchildren will live in open-plan zones. It doesn’t have to be that way. But often the simple point of view is not enough. And yes, I also had a freehold property which I sold. Now I have leasehold because we wanted to change and live for _ourselves_, the children want to provide for themselves, and if I inherit my parents’ big house when it hasn’t been liquidated for care beforehand, I won’t be at an age anymore where I can do anything with the house myself. And I probably won’t need the money then either (except to invest in gold bars… running gag here :p) Everyone has to decide for themselves. But whoever calculates once, not the euros that are paid or saved - calculate your life out, _when_ you want or might inherit. Most make nice calculations for themselves. And most, whether child or parent, testator or heir, are in one way or another emotionally dependent. I’m honest: I _don’t want_ to inherit anything. I don’t care. Either there’s trouble, conditions, or happy eyes. You can’t know, and now come those who don’t like my opinion anyway and say “it’s not like that with us”… ho ho ho :D I’m always happy when it’s a bit different everywhere. But I’ve always been very pragmatic :)

The advantage is for those who otherwise get no financing at all and therefore do not come into ownership

But is that really an advantage when it comes to financing? The bank is not stupid and factors the lease payment in somewhere. And then, in recent years, with the low interest rates, the lease always exceeded interest + at least small repayment. That may be different again currently if you still find a plot somewhere at 2-3% lease. But the landowners will surely also adapt to the changed environment. And on top of that, by now almost every lease contract is somehow indexed to inflation/wages/land values while the purchase price remains fixed.

I find the exchange of different opinions enriching . That's why everyone can still represent their own point of view. Of course, from daily life perspective, it’s basically the same if you live in your house on the property, whether it’s leasehold or not. But emotionally, it is much nicer if something really belongs to me and I can later provide seed capital for my children/grandchildren. Of course, everyone can do whatever they want with their money and there is no compulsion. But if I decide to sell my house in old age and move into an apartment, then I get significantly less for the leasehold property with the house than for a property ownership plot. In other words: although I paid more for my property, I can afford less in retirement and effectively have lost a considerable amount of money (smaller apartment etc.). I don’t consider that sensible, but each to their own.

However, it is simply a fact that there are areas where you just can't avoid ground leases.

But of course you can inherit a hereditary leasehold property. Otherwise, why would it be called that? Generations of farmers have cultivated their lease for centuries, always the same one.

I don't want to leave anything behind either. That also means no debts. What I want to leave behind are beautiful memories - people should not mourn me or console themselves with the inheritance, but raise a final toast to me and celebrate with the other survivors.