Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

no reason to get so toxic

It shouldn't sound like that – if it came across wrong, I’m of course sorry!

Lowering demands might also be a contribution to protecting the climate!

I am giving up the Thailand/Bali flight after having protested for the climate... That's okay, right?

Just out of curiosity... What is an adequate living area for 4 people? 100 sq m?

A small house with 100 sq m of living space... okay, maybe 110 or 115... with a garden, terrace, built and furnished with high-quality materials... little to clean, little to heat... what more do you want? ;)

It doesn't always go up, unlimitedly. The times from 10 years ago, when (almost felt) everyone could build as big and as individually as they wished, are simply over. You don’t even have to go back to the 80s.

I am giving up the Thailand/Bali flight after I protested for the climate... That’s okay, right?

It depends on how big you build and how often you fly. One trip to Bali is probably around 5-6 square meters ;)

It doesn't always go on endlessly, only upwards. The times from 10 years ago, when (almost felt like) everyone could build as big and as individual as they wanted, are simply over.

But economic growth, prosperity growth, the best Germany ever.... why is it then that normal earners find it increasingly difficult to afford a house? It was like that even before February 2022. The money is there, it's just more and more concentrated with fewer and fewer people, the rest simply have to save.

But economic growth, wealth growth, best Germany ever .... why can normal earners find it increasingly difficult to afford a house? It was already like that before February 2022. The money is there, it’s just more and more with fewer and fewer people, the rest simply have to save.

Because low interest rates and inflated subsidies in previous years drove prices to the moon. Now interest rates have tripled and subsidies first disappeared, then returned in smaller form, but prices are still at the moon. Correcting prices downward takes time and causes pain for the construction industry, which has gotten used to fatness in the last 10 years.

But economic growth, prosperity growth, best Germany of all time.... why is it then that as an average earner it becomes increasingly difficult to afford a house? Even before February 2022, it was like that. The money is there, it’s just that more and more is with fewer and fewer people, the rest have to save.

As an average earner, you can still definitely afford a house today – the only question is what demands you place on yourself and the house. I am currently renovating – complete renovation with all the bells and whistles. Also energetically. Also as an average earner with about €4,600 household income (soon less due to a child on the way) and can easily afford it – but I also work four times a week after work and on weekends for hours, so that in the end well over 1,000 hours of own work are done by all helpers combined, I have no construction management and take care of everything myself, compare prices, make phone calls, learn things, ...
And the place is only 120 sqm (admittedly with basement and garage) and dates from 1927. Most people wouldn’t even look at such a property anymore because it’s not good enough. The issue is demands. Preferably new build, 150 sqm, double garage, basement, three bathrooms. Individually planned by an architect and ideally no work done by yourself. Due to the building boom of the last 10 years with low interest rates and relatively affordable prices, a certain mindset of entitlement has developed that simply does not correspond to reality. That was a phase! And it won’t come back anytime soon. As someone stuck in the past, you can cry over it, or make the best of it. Honestly – we are doing well. We just often don’t notice it.

Many buddies built 5-6 years ago – huge places, really cool houses. Unfortunately, I missed that time, but that’s just how it is. I have to be satisfied with something smaller. So what?