Financing: Our house construction project is scheduled to start next year

Hey :)
My partner and I are also young (27 and 25 years old) and want to build near you (I work in Remscheid). We have been looking for a plot for about 4 months, our search radius is roughly the same as yours (roughly Sprockhövel to Wermelskirchen, max. 15 minutes from the highway) and what we are currently finding costs significantly more than 120,000 euros. My idea was once around 150,000 euros, but I fear that will hardly be achievable.
And the plots are not huge, but rather 400sqm-600sqm in size. We want to be as close to nature as possible, so we avoid city centers (where it is even more expensive anyway).

In general, it is great if you are thrifty and have a goal in mind. My boyfriend and I spent a lot of money on motorsports (motorcycles) until last year – we do not regret it, but we certainly could have saved more. I also see it similarly to you, I suppose:
Why save for 10 more years when costs are rising permanently and you practically have hardly anything left from your saved money? It feels like we won't be able to afford our dream in a few years if construction and land costs continue to rise like this (or if interest rates increase significantly).

Nevertheless, I want to note from my experience so far that building a single-family house for 1,640 euros per sqm without significant personal contributions is not realistic. Of course, there is no upper limit, but there is a lower limit. Moreover, the standard of some house manufacturers is perceived by many not as 'standard' but rather as 'old-fashioned': Here it is best to get your own impression.
I am currently calculating a single-family house with about 150 sqm at a large and relatively inexpensive prefabricated house provider (timber frame construction) and end up with few 'special' requests (underfloor heating, electric blinds) turnkey at about 2,200 euros/sqm including additional building costs (but without landscaping and furniture).
Construction costs are also continuously rising.

I am currently calculating a single-family house of about 150 sqm with a large and quite affordable prefabricated house provider (timber frame construction) and end up with few 'special' wishes (underfloor heating, electric blinds) turnkey at about 2,200 euros/sqm including incidental building costs (but excluding outdoor facilities and furniture).
The construction costs are also continuously increasing.

And even that is, including incidental building costs, already very, very cheap.

And I agree with your statement that a cheaper standard is mostly only perceived as old-fashioned!

And even that is already very, very cheap if including incidental construction costs. And I agree with your statement that cheaper standards are mostly only perceived as old-fashioned anymore!

Since I have been reading in this forum for several weeks now, I am aware that I am in the low-cost range. It is a frequently built house with few floor plan changes, basically a simple 1.5-story rectangle with a gable roof without bay windows, dormers, or a conservatory. Not everyone likes it – but it can offer us a great home inside :). Of course, I will continue to compare – hardly anything would be worse than having to refinance, and especially earthworks are simply difficult to estimate. This should emphasize once again that 1,640 euros will not be sufficient even for the simplest requirements without significant personal contributions :)

We bought a 200-year-old house last year with 140 sqm of living space plus a barn, stables, and 1200 sqm of land for 110,000 euros. It is being completely renovated with a lot of personal effort and numerous subsidies and grants from the areas of [Dorferneuerung] and [Denkmalpflege]. We are receiving a total of nearly 60,000 euros as gifts from funding pots! Total renovation costs about 150,000 euros. Roof, heating, windows, insulation, electrical, plumbing, floors, extension, etc. Two years are planned for the renovation. We will only move in once it is finished.
In the end, we paid 200,000 euros and have a magnificent house with about 220 sqm of living space in a beautiful location with a large garden.
I wouldn’t cling so tightly to the idea of building new from scratch – as a first house. Being modest is much easier in an old building.

Last year we bought a 200-year-old house with 140 sqm of living space plus a barn, stables, and 1200 sqm of land for 110,000 euros. It is being completely renovated with a lot of personal effort and numerous subsidies and grants from the areas of village renewal and monument preservation. We are getting almost 60,000 euros gifted from funding pots in total! Total renovation costs around 150,000 euros. Roof, heating, windows, insulation, electrics, plumbing, floors, extension, etc. Two years are planned for the renovation. Only when it is finished will we move in. In the end, we paid 200,000 euros and have a magnificent house with about 220 sqm of living space in a beautiful location with a large garden. I wouldn’t cling so much to the idea of building new from scratch - as a first house. It’s much easier to be modest in an old building.

But you have to want that too. We always wanted to build exclusively as well, but are now buying a young existing property? Why? Because we have a small child and have also seen with friends what a strain a construction phase is on the relationship. With such an extensive, grant-rich renovation as yours, it would certainly not be different. But everyone is different. In addition, your house has certainly become insanely great, but fundamentally it is and remains a house from the early 19th century. That doesn’t have to be bad, but it would at least make me ponder here and there. We currently still live in an old village house from 18XX as tenants. When you stand inside the apartment, you don’t notice or see it. But the attic and basement cannot hide it. And whenever I pick up the drill, I learn about new building materials every time.

But you have to want that.
We also always wanted to build exclusively, but now we are buying a young existing property after all? Why? Because we have a small child and have also seen with friends what a burden a construction phase is on the relationship. With such a comprehensive renovation rich in EL as with you, it surely wouldn’t be any different. But everyone is different.
Moreover, your house surely turned out amazing, but at its core it is and remains a house from the early 19th century. That doesn’t have to be bad, but it would make me think here and there at least. We are currently still renting an old village house from 18XX. When you stand in the apartment you don’t notice or see that. But the attic and cellar can’t hide it. And whenever I use the drill, I learn about new building materials every time.

Keyword full renovation :)
Roof structure new with blown-in insulation, vaulted cellar freshly plastered as wine and vegetable storage.
All walls are completely new with clay plaster, lime top plaster and wall heating.
I don’t need a technology battle in the house – I have enough of that at work and I know the maintenance and repair costs for smart home gimmicks all too well.
Our relationship is currently benefiting from this project, especially during Corona times. Only the child is a bit upset when mom and dad are on the construction site for two weeks straight and don’t entertain them entire afternoons.
I’m not saying this is the Best of All Ways!!! but an option that shouldn’t simply be ignored. If you want to spend little money modestly and rely on own work, an old building certainly offers great scope.