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

I wouldn't speculate on large increases, but even 2-3 years ago I already thought that the Konstanz apartment prices were completely exaggerated based on what colleagues told me. In the meantime, that has not decreased. And I also don't believe that it will roll back again. The city is surrounded by a lake, Switzerland, and a nature reserve. The catchment area is therefore quite large, and I was incredibly lucky that we still found a plot of land. I want to doubt that the banks are so restrictive. Although I am not a banker, when I look at the financing discussions I have had so far... I rather had the feeling that the bank calculates more generously than I do. The expensive renovation cases are also relatively quickly off the market, so there is still little saturation to be seen. Surely it will not continue to rise so quickly but rather slow down and eventually stagnate a bit. What comes after that is the big question, but that is more interesting for speculators. The owner-occupied property is usually not a good investment if you calculate honestly. Even the opportunity costs for the equity invested alone are much more expensive than is commonly believed.

It doesn't read as slim. Also, a used house is rejected.

Then the additional construction costs, which are not mentioned anywhere, probably still have to be deducted.

The problem with a used house is the following: I want to build because then I can have everything exactly as I imagine it (priced in, of course).

Let's say we find a property that we like and that isn't already 100 years old—because a good friend bought a house that old for around 350K.
And I see how much work he has to do on it (new exterior facade, many things inside renewed, and that costs a lot of money).
So we find our 20-year-old house for 350K euros, but then I don't like the floor, the tiles, etc., and renewing all that alongside work is simply too much effort, in my opinion. Not to mention the free time that gets lost.

Today I started with the household budget book; I created a spreadsheet with numerous expenses that can be entered monthly, so in the end it shows what was spent on what. We'll do this now for an unlimited time and then see what's left where we can save, etc.

I inquired about the house building costs per square meter in my federal state (NRW).
On AVERAGE, it's 1630€. Yes, I know it can easily go up to 2-4K€, but as I said and as written below, I don't want luxury; for me, luxury means that it will then be OUR house that we built ourselves and that I simply have freedoms that you don't have with a house that's already finished. And with a square meter area of 160, that would be 260K€ plus or minus, of course, though here you should rather count on the plus side, so I do think that you can get something for 330K€ :) but of course if you want the highest luxury, maybe you'll only get a broom closet :) :D

Regarding the size of the house.
I would have imagined a house with 140 - 160sqm.
That provides enough space for 2 children's rooms and a hobby room for us. (We both like playing on the PC), so the office, which is mostly used on the ground floor, could be used as a hobby room.
A basement is not planned because it is not needed.
Maybe in the future a garage or carport, but that can also be done on our own :) because, as I said, I have many friends who are skilled craftsmen, and I have already offered my services to them with a view to the future so that I can also avail myself of their help :D

On the topic of not getting much for 330K. Of course, I don't need a fitted kitchen for 20K and no marble tiles either. But a nice floor covering, nice modern tiles, and a room layout that I like (open living-dining area with access to the kitchen) is enough for me.
I have always lived modestly and never bought anything above my means because that is what I was taught.
That's why I do think it is realistic. Maybe not yet with 4K net income, but let's see what the future brings.
And besides, when many say they search for 2+ years for a plot, why shouldn't we start next year.
And if we find our plot in 2 or even 3 or 4 years, then everything will look different anyway (more equity, more experience at work, possibly already a job with higher salary).
Just sitting around doing nothing and waiting to be thrown money won't happen.
That's why I prefer to take the initiative and make use of what I can do. :)

Oh, for everyone interested, I live with my girlfriend in Remscheid, a neighboring city of Wuppertal.

I asked about the house construction costs per sqm in my federal state (NRW). It is on AVERAGE €1630.

Where did you get the price from? What is included? As a banker who mainly implements large projects, I consider this not feasible without significant personal contribution. I haven't seen such a price from my clients for many years. Not even when a complex with 100 apartments is built and synergy effects could be expected.

I was thinking of a house with 140 - 160 sqm.

Then calculate with €2000 construction costs and an additional €30-50 thousand ancillary construction costs. These still must be added. Then you also need a driveway, a terrace, outdoor facilities, and so on. Luckily, Remscheid is not one of the real estate hotspots. There are plenty of existing properties and also opportunities for construction.

Nordanney was faster than me. Essentially, I just wanted to say:

Then calculate with €2000 construction costs and an additional €30-50k ancillary construction costs. Those always come on top. Then you also need a driveway, a terrace, landscaping, and so on.

so for your desired 160m² that would be €320,000 + €50,000 ancillary construction costs + €20,000 landscaping + €10,000 kitchen + xx.xxx€ carport/garage etc. oh yes, and the plot of land. As you can see, your buddy didn’t pay much more with the €350,000 for an old building. If the plot is included, he will come out cheaper even with €200,000 renovation costs than you. Bold claim on my part: As long as building plots are not in extremely short supply in your region, there isn’t much of a price difference between core renovation of old houses and new construction.

Just that the difference is that with a complete renovation you never know how much money you still have to put in and you live on a half-finished construction site. Yes, I know we are quite lucky with our city, it's not so expensive here. Well, as I said, I go my own way, I appreciate your advice and when I am at the point where we have found something or it is going in a certain direction, I will report here. And regarding the topic of the outdoor area, I have already written something that thanks to my father I get things very cheaply there. I know that an outdoor area can easily cost up to 20K. As I said, average and I don't think luxury equipment is included in the average. I also wrote that you have to expect more anyway, 2K is realistic.