First thoughts about one's own house

.... copying did not succeed, I have to do it again :)

Yes, yes: the good old life experience, this argument will then convince every banker in granting credit. In the forum, you can also score well with it if you don’t feel like dealing with the facts. As for me, I stick to the facts, and unfortunately, the facts here are in the shoebox. Might not fit into your worldview, but:

Laugh, I mean your life experience, not His. In short, what you say about getting a loan at a certain age is nonsense. It may be that you know someone who knows someone who has experienced it that way. But since I (in your eyes no longer creditworthy due to age) have financed one or the other property in my life after 35, for whatever reasons, it hasn’t been that long ago, my circle of friends at my age have financed up and down, my father still financed at 64, your thesis cannot be correct. But you chat away as if you yourselves had made these rules. When certain conditions are met, much is possible. The area where there could be problems, for example, is the status “living apart,” because it is uncertain how much remains.

Just as their automatic salary increases go up, maintenance and child benefit will eventually disappear, it is a zero-sum game on the income side.

But that’s a completely different argument. Whether it is wise to build a house here has nothing to do with the nonsense “time is ticking, you won’t get a loan after 35 anymore.”

And then there was something here about googling what A13 is. (Was probably deleted?) No, why should one google when factors distort the picture and the original poster can write it here?!

I also thank the last writers for their opinions and will elaborate on a few things.

Does one need a house alone with a child? Nobody needs a house! Of course, an apartment is enough, but each of us has dreams in life and most will hopefully try to realize those dreams, no matter what kind they are. I want to be my own master, not have to take much/no consideration for neighbors (we both play wind instruments), etc... Whether the dreams come true is another matter. But it is hard for me to give up my dreams from the outset just because the marriage didn’t work out. I want to at least try, i.e. try to live my dream and only give up when it really can’t work. On the other hand, I am a big realist and when the hurdles become insurmountable, I will be reasonable. Promise ;-).

Now to my income situation. I’m already bracing myself. A13 minus health insurance currently nets me 3000€. Approximately 400€ in child maintenance and 200€ child benefit come in. Currently I pay 1250€ warm rent and save at least 1000€ monthly. We live well with the remaining money as two and I don’t feel like I’m missing out. The savings rate is also for the car and other things. From time to time we treat ourselves to something (e.g., kids’ skis, furniture, or similar). I drive an economical small car, only have a prepaid phone, and generally feel quite good with the available money. At the moment, we either go on vacation at the grandparents’ (who then spoil the single mom) or together with the grandparents in a holiday apartment within Germany.

When I read here that many plan the loan so that it can be paid by one person alone and you can still live, I wonder whether the majority of home buyers earn a lot more (i.e., one person) or if they are taking the risk? Equity will probably be the decisive point here. By the way, I would have used the private loan from the bank as equity and negotiated the rate with my parents, but maybe something is still possible there. I can’t assess that.

Used houses in need of renovation currently cost between 300,000 and 400,000 € around here plus renovation costs. So that is out of the question for me. Nice new apartments with garden areas cost about 350,000 € with all the disadvantages that an apartment has (and yes also the advantages).

For overview purposes, I will continue writing in the next post.

And how expensive is a plot of land with you?

My brother is currently renovating a large house (200 sqm) from the 70s with electric underfloor heating. The following work is being done by him and my father:

- Removing the old floor and the old underfloor heating (company and help)
- Removing all wall coverings (by themselves)
- Building required drywall partitions and cladding with drywall sheets where needed (by themselves)
- Insulating the floor, laying the underfloor heating, and installing the heating system (geothermal heat pump)
- Connecting the house water system (?) to a well in the garden
- Laying all newly required electrical cables, laying empty conduits, laying cables for a self-planned KNX system -> bringing all cables together in the basement
- Installing a controlled residential ventilation system with ducts
- Renovating the sanitary facilities and bathrooms (bathroom fittings ordered and installed by themselves)
- Laying tiles and floorboards
- Painting and wallpapering
- Insulating the basement

The new windows were installed by companies, the screed was poured, the putty and plastering work was done, and the electrical panel was reconnected. I have certainly forgotten a lot. The roof will be renovated later. I see quite a few opportunities for DIY work there with appropriate support for me as well. But as mentioned above, if the finances cannot be resolved, then that doesn’t help me either. I am aware of that!!!

P.S.: The smile on men’s faces when the core drill hums is a sight to behold...

So far, I only know the standard land values. Here in the district town, they are unaffordable for me. In the attractive districts with many new development areas, I also cannot afford a plot. Alternatively, the less attractive districts come into question. However, it is not nice there, and I am not interested in the community life. In the countryside, I believe one only becomes part of the village community in this way.

In the attractive municipalities on the Alb ([2000 Einwohner], or [1000 Einwohner]), the standard land value ranges between €109 and €124 per sqm. I do not yet know the current land prices. These two municipalities have a fairly good infrastructure (no secondary schools) and shopping facilities within a short distance (by car), such as Lidl, Edeka, bakeries. There is also industry on the hill. I want a plot of max. 500-700 sqm, probably rather 500 sqm. However, I would need to see such plots in person to get a feel for the size. It should definitely not be too large. My parents’ plot is about 800 sqm, and I find it much too big and elaborate.

The standard land value in the unattractive districts is also about €115 to €120.