Defensive offer, or have house prices become so expensive?

I said we’re just trying to get there affordably. So I don’t see any contradiction in my statement. Maybe you misread? I also don’t want to sell the current house too cheaply. I just find the market hard to assess right now because the demand for properties is generally high on average, but location, age, features, gut feeling, and many other factors come into play. And a house is not simply a worn pair of Levis for which you can check the average price on eBay. ;)

And that’s where the bidding process comes in. In which process do you best find out what your house is worth or what people are willing to pay? Look at it this way. You don’t use a realtor, so customers save the realtor fees...

If none of the previous inquirers and viewers want the house (at the asked price), it does not mean that actually no one wants it and/or that it wouldn't be worth the price.

Yes, and will there always be someone who pays even more if you wait longer? That is all useless if you want or have to sell for the new house. You can't just wait it out. Or should you gamble hard for months and years? Both appreciation and depreciation are possible over time.

A realistic value or house price is one at which a handful of interested parties remain; otherwise, it is simply too expensive.

I think you mean someone else there. Kati's problem was more about the neighborhood, the thread where someone was unhappy with the equipment was another lady.

Oh sorry, that's right :-( But luckily, the financial means are still sufficient.

Somehow we proceed a bit too quickly with the bidding process yes/no, new construction costs, etc. At the moment there is neither a plot of land nor a house design. And the initial meeting with the bank for the valuation (and possibly credit transfer) is also still pending.

In this situation, I would briefly create an Excel sheet to play through some assumptions and determine an expected range. Specifically: Existing house brings 450, 500, 550, or 600K, new project costs (all inclusive) 550, 600, 650, or 700K. Estimated probabilities for these, and of course all possible combinations thereof. What does that then mean for a possible additional loan, monthly installment, etc.?
The respectively less likely outliers are essentially the outer edges of the range, and in the middle area are the likely scenarios. And if I feel comfortable with these scenarios, I would step on the gas; i.e., intensify the search for land, look for a building partner, set up a schedule, etc.

Only when the schedule is reasonably reliable can the marketing of the existing house be tackled (which of course does not exclude communicating the project in advance within one's circle of acquaintances).

Brand new and with all the sustainability gimmicks including its own wallbox. However, rural. The city we moved away from is about 38km away, commuting to the southern end takes 25-30 minutes. And here in this rural area, at least used houses still go for around 450k from realtors.

Don’t badmouth your house! It’s a good location with distance to the big city – it’s called the commuter belt.
And your house is not used! It’s a new build from 2020!

Somehow we're rushing a bit quickly with bidding procedures yes/no, new construction costs, etc. There is currently neither a plot of land nor a house design. And the initial conversation with the bank for the valuation (and possibly credit transfer) is still pending.

In this situation, I would quickly create an Excel sheet to run through some assumptions and determine an expected range. Specifically: existing house brings in 450, 500, 550 or 600K, new project costs (all inclusive) 550, 600, 650 or 700K. Estimated probabilities for that, and of course all possible combinations thereof. What would that then mean for a possible additional loan, monthly installment, etc.? The less probable outliers represent the outer edges of the range, and the likely scenarios are in the middle range. And if I feel comfortable with these scenarios, I would press the gas pedal; i.e., push forward with the land search, look for building partners, draw up a schedule, etc.

Only when the schedule is somewhat reliable can one start marketing the existing house (which of course does not exclude communicating the project beforehand within the circle of acquaintances).

Ha! This Excel sheet even already exists! :D At least something similar. I have an Excel called "Kassensturz" (cash balance), where I always enter the most common scenarios. I orient myself strongly on my known values from Construction Project I. Only the house prices and earthworks are now very variable costs.


I've attached it for you, feel free to give feedback if anyone sees something unrealistic.
The 400k house price is based on the conversation with our currently favored company. The second runners-up are estimated to be similarly priced; we will call them again.

Don’t badmouth your house! It’s a good location with distance from the big city – it’s called the commuter belt.
And your house is not used! It is a new build from 2020!

Thanks, that’s encouraging. :) ♥
But tell that "not used" to my wooden staircase. My child has the tendency to throw wooden toys out of their room when bored. :rolleyes: