Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

The usual prefab house builders also produce a lot in series, yet you don’t even come close to total costs of 400k with the promotional houses.

You have no idea how many people still actually build so cheaply. Believe me – we finance real estate worth about €10 billion every year and I dare say I have a small but representative overview ;)

I think, theoretically, one could still build a house like in the 1960s today from a small income - you just don’t get the standard approved nowadays.

and I know dozens of people over 60 who sit in their 200 sqm houses and say today, if only we had built 50 sqm smaller back then for the few years with the children. Especially when extensive renovations and modernizations are required after 30 years of use. Then 40 sqm more roof tiles or 100 sqm more wall cause pain again.

But I do not intend to live in the same house for 30 years. At the latest when the first child leaves the house, I will rebuild.

This is often done here as well. But it doesn’t feel any different when you live in it ;) . It’s mine and stays mine, no matter what name you put on it.

No, I see it differently. Apart from the fact that it certainly feels different whether my terrace is separated from the neighbor’s only by a frosted glass panel or a few meters of land lie between, it is also legally different, since communal property always involves rights but above all also obligations and prohibitions. Then mine is simply not mine.
That’s not to say it isn’t a legitimate form of living, but it’s not the same.

Here they are again, the demands that make building expensive – I want a heat pump, a combined heat and power plant is out of the question. Not just one parking space, but several are named. No offense, but exactly this way of thinking is what makes houses more expensive. The average earner just wants to own their property. No discussion about efficiency differences between brine-water heat pumps or air-water heat pumps. It should be warm and affordable.

You mentioned heat pumps in #2,493, which is why I brought it up. And maybe I misunderstood the offer... but in my understanding, the price you listed simply does not include a parking space. Possibly you have to purchase it separately. You also left out the non-included sanitary fixtures, floors, and painting work.

The form of a terraced housing development is a legitimate form of living. It’s not for everyone. And that’s fine.
In my opinion, however, it doesn’t belong in the discussion of whether one can still afford a house, since for me it is – both subjectively and practically and legally – a different form of living.
I see a "normal" terraced house or semi-detached house differently here once again.
But that’s my opinion.

I just looked, for fun, at the offers including prices from our house builder on a website that helps with searching for prefabricated houses. It’s a bit confusing because there are turnkey houses with almost 50sqm more than we have for not even 20,000 euros more. Although these are starting prices, since I know the equipment and have already selected samples, I know that this is really extremely cheap if the prices are correct. I assume it will be similar with other providers on this website. Unless the prices have (not yet) been updated due to Corona, supply shortages, war, etc. Still, it’s a bit bitter to see that, according to this website, we could have gotten a house very close to our ideal relatively cheaply from our provider. Other providers start, if comparable, at €238,200; two full floors, our region.

I do find it strange that builders who have already signed contracts pay so much more and have to accept renegotiations than those who are signing new contracts.

In what way could my conclusion be wrong?

On the topic that a carport/garage is a luxury and 120sqm is enough for a family. Where do you store bikes, seasonal clothing, gardening stuff, spare tires, etc.? Does everyone then have a basement? For the cost of a basement, you can also build a 6x9m garage... The question is not cynical but I am very interested in the solution, maybe you can save a few thousand...

I don’t know any trick either. I previously lived in 120 sqm with husband and baby (house, rent). Now in 153 sqm owned property. The upcoming house will be even bigger, indeterminately, but at least 20 sqm more.
Of course, you can somehow squeeze all that in somewhere, stacked, in front of and on top of each other. But the question is, do you want to live like that? The 120 was already quite tight for us. Now with 150 we manage well, we also have a double carport here with a proper storage room. But if we are honest, it’s always annoyingly full. Bicycle and lawnmower in the middle, then you can’t properly reach the shelves again.
If we are honest, these are luxury problems. It is also a question of how important living, furnishing, and living space are to someone. My sister and I come from the same parents, but as far as living preferences and especially priorities go, we couldn’t be more different.