Finding the right house - but how?

Hello everyone,

first of all: Yes, I know this is the house building forum, but since I haven't found an appropriate forum on the topic of buying a house (if such a thing exists, please let me know), I'll just ask here:

My girlfriend and I want to buy an existing property in the next 3 - 5 years. The key data is also clear so far:
- semi-detached house or end-of-terrace house from 1995 onwards
- 100 - 150 sqm
- at least 4 rooms
- basement
- plot not huge but not too small either (roughly 300 - 500 sqm)
- in good general condition
- budget up to approx. €200,000
- area: Magdeburg or the commuter belt around Magdeburg

Due to low interest rates, the market is apparently already very thinly bought up. At least, that's what my set search orders on the well-known portals (immobilienscout24, immonet, immowelt) and banks show me.

Does anyone have experience with how to still get appropriate offers that are not listed on the major portals? I have the impression or suspicion that the really good and suitable houses never even make it onto the portals and what ends up there is basically just the leftovers that nobody wants.
Of course, we are keen to find a commission-free house, but that seems even more difficult. Is it perhaps therefore sensible - even now? - to contact a real estate agent who can propose suitable houses to us as soon as they become available, or does that make little sense?

Thanks in advance for your support.

Is it perhaps sensible - even now? - to contact a real estate agent who suggests appropriate houses to us as soon as they become available, or does that make little sense?

Engage a real estate agent now for a house purchase in 3 to 5 years?

For what purpose?

In case [DAS Haus] is already found now that we want, then we would buy now as well. Besides, I was just told that the market is currently practically sold out, so I can well imagine that even a real estate agent needs a while to find something suitable, right?

Yes then... So not in 3 to 5 years after all. A search for a used property easily takes 2 years, often longer. Nevertheless, the financial aspect should be determined and secured so that one can commit quickly. If financing can only work in the coming years, then I would leave it, so as not to unnecessarily burden the agent and your nerves.

Let's put it this way: definitely in 3 - 5 years. If a great property is found earlier, then gladly before that. Ultimately, the whole setup would only differ by the amount of available equity. The question that arises for me is: Do you get a suitable property significantly faster with a realtor, or is that just a false assumption? Given the time frame, there is basically enough time for independent research, but it is questionable whether not a large part of the good properties are taken off the market privately?

On the one hand, you give yourself your answer - on the other hand: just try it out, then you don't have to guess :)