Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

The argument is indeed correct that landlords also experience inflation and rents have to rise… However, I fear that inflation is also being used as a pretext to maximize profit. Next year, inflation will certainly be lower.

That is certainly true, but the rental market also has its own rules. With well-intentioned "brakes" and "caps." If you want to keep up as a landlord with inflation over 2%, you have to start lobbying politically early. Especially considering that politics simultaneously imposes a lot of renovation obligations on property owners and wants to involve them in tenants' heating consumption. And maybe Vonovia also miscalculated with the takeover of Deutsche Wohnen and now needs this so that profits do not collapse? ;)

See oil companies, exactly the same. I also think that inflation will be lower, but will not fall back to 1.5-2% like in previous years. Rather around 4%.

And wages will by far not increase by this amount...

Not building also does not seem to be a solution.

Building is, in my opinion, always the better solution. Especially with regard to retirement, everyone should, if possible, structure their financing so that they have no financial obligations upon retirement. A second aspect is also important. The aging own house will also require renovation after 20 or 30 years. Perhaps the floor plan inside the building needs to be optimized (living on one level). If such things are only addressed during retirement, sufficient financial resources must be available. Who wants to still pay rent from their pension later? Probably no one willingly.

Building is, in my opinion, always the better solution. Especially with regard to retirement, everyone should, if possible, structure their financing so that they have no financial obligations when they retire. A second aspect is also important. The aging own house also requires renovation after 20 or 30 years. Perhaps the floor plan in the building also needs to be optimized (living on one level). If such things are only tackled at retirement age, sufficient financial resources must be available. Who wants to pay rent from their pension later? Probably no one voluntarily.

why not, if additional free capital from a house sale enables you a good standard of living? I would prefer to live in old age in a 3-room apartment, centrally located, with public transport, taxis, specialists, cultural and sports offers, instead of in eight or more rooms outside.

And wages will by no means rise by this amount...

Then inflation will also subside. Where else should it come from long-term? The money has to somehow get into people's pockets in order to have an effect.

I now often hear in my circle of acquaintances, even when asked, that 8% in May means everything is 8% more expensive than in April... so many really don't know what the figures mean. For moods, which in turn influence politics, I consider that questionable.

why not, if additional free capital from a house sale allows you a nice standard of living? In old age, I prefer to live in a 3-room apartment, central, with public transport, taxis, specialist doctors, cultural and sports facilities, rather than in eight or more rooms outside.

From my experience, I know that very few people choose this form and sell their house. But in general, I can follow your opinion. However, it assumes that you have at some point built homeownership. For me, it was about the question of building yes/no.