Financing single-family house - How much can we afford?

Honestly... with all the things you read here - nobody needs to build anymore.

You didn’t build because you were advised against it HERE? Crazy. ^^

I think you are overlooking the most important point why people react cautiously here. Whether with a net income of 3,100 or 3,500 euros – this is not the decisive factor here. Financing at either amount would be feasible (possibly with restrictions).

The crucial sticking point – and this was mentioned at the beginning in the replies (later then "silenced") – is the further life planning. The original poster is still young. Usually, one wants to have children at some point. This may then become a big problem. Because an income almost completely disappears. Oh yes – you get child benefit, parental allowance. Sure. On the other hand, you also have costs amounting to X euros. Starting with one-off expenses (stroller from 500 upwards, child seat from 200 upwards, crib, changing table, playpen, etc.) to daily expenses (especially diapers, baby food jars, formula, clothes, etc.). Later, daycare costs come into play (monthly fee + food costs). From a certain age, the cycle of one-off expenses starts again (buggy, new child seat as the toddler grows, wardrobe for clothes and toys, new bed, etc.).

After parental leave, one partner usually no longer works full-time – unless you have devoted grandparents/relatives nearby. For this reason alone, one parent cannot work full-time anymore, since daycare hours in most regions of our country are not really conducive to re-entering the workforce professionally. In certain industries, e.g., retail, part-time is almost impossible (keyword: opening hours). Well – for the original poster maybe not a problem, since the girlfriend herself works in a daycare.

What I want to say is: the topic of child(ren) is very underestimated.

We first waited until family planning was completed – and this, even though I will almost fully (or in an emergency actually fully) bear the installment burden alone.

Again – purely based on the current net income, it is, in my opinion, feasible, but what if ... .

Good morning

Considering interest rate risk alone is not everything. In times of "high interest rate phases," high wage agreements are usually also to be expected. Thus, 5% interest rates are relativized again.

The loss of a salary is certainly more decisive for this planning.

What I always find somewhat strange in such discussions are statements like, roughly, "if it is not enough for carport, garage, covered terrace, .... then better not do it at all." or "with the equipment it becomes more expensive and that is just how it is."

One can certainly live well and happily with the family in their own house with standard equipment in the areas of ELT, SHK, windows, doors, etc.

Olli

One can certainly also argue about the continuation of such an old post.

But I also find that this forum in the area of "Baufinanzierung" is permeated by skeptics with rather destructive contributions. Financing is a highly personal matter, where generalizations of almost any kind are forbidden. There are families who manage well even with higher installments because they simply have their ongoing costs under control and are overall quite frugal. I know enough examples of that. Other families with high monthly net incomes sometimes have extreme difficulties because their ongoing costs are often extremely high. Often also driven by their own income situation. These are not so rare to be visiting the bank more often.

Also, focusing on the equity side does not always help here. Those who have raised children or are still doing so and therefore perhaps could not build up much equity, can often very well afford an installment differing (higher) from the previous rent. It always depends on the individuals.

Take the time to write down your income and (realistic) expenses. Keep a household budget book to identify cost drivers and "practice" setting aside a few hundred euros per month for some time. Often, affordability is clarified already here.

And: just sometimes have courage.

One can certainly also debate the continuation of such an old post.

But I also find that this forum in the area of "Baufinanzierung" is infiltrated by skeptics with rather destructive contributions.

I wouldn't call it destructive. Rather realistic. A financing should always be designed in such a way that it works even in the worst case and does not fail immediately. What good is it if you have the house, but as soon as a small stumbling block comes, you get into financial trouble.
Therefore, better to calculate pessimistically than optimistically.

I prefer to advocate for a "realistic case" that does not allow for wishful thinking, but also does not look excessively pessimistic into the future. Financing can sometimes be "close to the edge." What is important is that one can handle moderate, unexpected expenses.

And I consider the contributions here to be quite extremely negative, and I have been working in the financing business for more than 30 years, many of them in problem loan management.

Hello,

And I find the posts here to be rated quite extremely negatively, and I have been working in financing for more than 30 years, many of them in problem loan management.

This is often how I feel as well....

... on the other hand, these very skeptics regarding financing find their way into the forum, enliven it with their thoughts, and thus protect builders who actually should not be able to afford building a house from financial disaster.

A user who has a balanced sense of reality will know how to deal with the contributors/remarks

Rhineland regards