Finding the right building plot - Leipzig outskirts

In addition to the usual internet portals, we also looked directly at the websites of many municipalities to see if and what they offer. We also went through the official gazettes and municipal newsletters that were available online. Going back about a year or longer to be informed about land use plans and development plans. We finally found something, I believe through ImmoScout, and were able to buy directly from a private seller.

The house sellers do not have plots, even if they claim otherwise. There are exceptions, but those are the plots that are undevelopable for good reasons (we saw 2-3 of those) and would only be taken by someone who has signed a gag contract with one of the house sellers ... and not even then.

What you can additionally do is, if you missed one or another tender (also with municipalities), have yourself put on a list of interested parties or a waiting list. It regularly happens that interested parties drop out again (because of financing, separation, the development plan not being suitable, etc.). In that case, show presence; inquire regularly but don’t be pushy. The right mix of showing serious interest (mention children, very important) but not being annoying.

Have you followed the series about older and newer construction areas in the regional newspaper of Leipzig (I am probably not allowed to mention the name here)? There was a good overview there.

The tender for Knautkleeberg is probably over (Dreiskau-Muckern as well), but maybe you are candidates for the waiting list?

Unfortunately, I destroyed all my printouts, copies, etc. before our move here to the region, but I’ll think if anything helpful comes to mind.

Driving around and looking at neglected houses/gardens is also a very good idea. We saw some houses/plots this way that were not listed on the internet.

In short: if you haven’t already followed the series in the regional newspaper, I would go through it and also have yourself put on the waiting list wherever possible.

Addendum: If possible, have a bank meeting in advance and request a general financing certificate. Because if a property from private sellers does come on the market, it needs to be quick. Two days can already be too late.

The tender Knautkleeberg is probably over, (Dreiskau-Muckern too) but maybe you are candidates for the waiting list?

There are areas that are probably worth a trip just because of how lovingly names for places in the middle of nowhere are chosen ;-)

There are areas that are probably worth a trip just because of how lovingly names are chosen for places in the middle of nowhere ;-)

A 19-minute drive to Augustusplatz is not the middle of nowhere, in my opinion. ;-)

We took Google Maps, looked at which municipalities and larger districts (sometimes things also run through the local administrations) and then checked their websites. If there was no statement like "we have no building plots" but some minimal hope existed -> call and don’t give up. In the end, it actually worked for us; the mayor didn’t have the plots at the very top of the priority list, and apparently some other people had also been waiting a long time for a list of the available plots to be circulated. Otherwise, we were offered a plot from a construction company, but it was a leasehold from the church. In the end, I’m really glad we managed to get out of that situation smoothly since the conditions were rather poor (e.g. passing development costs onto the lessee). If that would still be an option for you, we can take a look. In the East, of course, that might be more difficult than here in the South where the church was never disempowered. What we have also done was just walk through a town we liked and talk to neighbors about empty plots to find out who owns them. In our case, that didn’t work out. Basically: Since interest rates are currently low and the existing market essentially consists of junk and overpriced junk, you’re not the only one searching. In case of doubt, you have to be quick.

Many thanks to all of you for the very valuable tips! So we’re not completely on the wrong track after all :)

Maybe to specify once again in this round: we have also focused on Naunhof, Brandis, and the surrounding area, as the infrastructure is nearby there (motorway, bakery, schools, doctors, etc.) - passing-through places are unfortunately not an option for us, even if they are close to our target region. It’s simply a matter of feeling.
a) The children would have to be driven everywhere
b) when the children have left the house, I want to have a sense of home, and not be stuck in a nowhere place.

We do realize, however, that a plot price won’t be €120/sqm, but rather >€200/sqm

The upcoming construction phase at Grillensee appeals to us; we will give it a try there. I’m curious what the prices will be.

We both work relatively close to the center of Leipzig, but commuting is not a big problem (company car to the rescue!)

We also already have a general financing certificate, so things can start quickly, that’s unproblematic.

I’ll probably call all the city administrations over the next few days, thanks for the ideas. We have also already activated our local network, following the motto: if you hear something at the hunting regulars’ table...

And then probably more walks in the village, maybe you get to talk to people.