Defensive offer, or have house prices become so expensive?

You are lucky that there are enough plots. In some regions, it is sometimes the same because there are no new development areas.

In our small town, there are still plots that the city sells for €600/sqm. On the open market, it’s more like €1000/sqm.
In the village without infrastructure, however, you can still buy for €350/sqm as a local or €700/sqm on the open market.

What has the homeowner paid in interest and repayment over 30 years? What has the tenant paid in rent during that time?

So if I add up all the costs and subtract them from the sale price and have a surplus, then buying was worthwhile compared to renting?

And here we go - *faceroll*

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Or does an owner-occupied property no longer count as an asset?

Less than you think. An owner-occupied property has cash flow through the rent saved. But the asset is somewhat more emotional than a dozen shares in the MSCI World. And somewhere you have to live if you sell. There may be people for whom an owner-occupied property is actually a _realizable_ asset, but they are the exception. The vast majority have a lump they take to the grave and leave to their heirs. And if I look at what is left behind... with 300-400k in the bank, few would let a house become as neglected as it is left.

And here we go - *faceroll*

word word

if you are referring that to my post, I did not want a renting vs buying discussion, it is a question that can be answered with yes or no.

If I add up all the costs and subtract them from the selling price and have a surplus, then buying was worth it compared to renting?

Plus the saved cold rent during that time.