Funding opportunities for single-family houses with EH55 standard

Hello everyone,
we are currently considering whether to build a single-family house or not. The building plot is already available, but we are still very uncertain regarding financing.
We would like to build solid (massive construction); the construction companies tend to recommend EH55 rather than EH40 here because there are huge price differences, and the KFW funding cannot cover that. In addition, we want to heat the house with an existing wood chip heating system, which is also difficult/impossible with KFW loans.
Since interest rates are still quite high, we are currently looking for other funding opportunities/tips/etc.
I have seen that funding is possible via Bayernlabo and the Bavarian housing program. Here there are not as strict regulations as with KFW, regarding the type of construction or heating system.

Maybe someone has a tip on what other options there are to get the best possible interest rates or how to get a good bank loan? Has anyone ever financed through an online bank, which often promises better conditions, or is it better to do it through the house bank?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice and best regards
Alex

the KFW funding cannot compensate for that.

There is no KfW funding per se for new buildings at the KfW 55 standard, which is the statutory minimum standard.
KfW 40 is only still funded within the scope of the 300 program, with the interest rate being extremely attractive. Prefabricated house manufacturers (timber frame) already mainly offer KfW 40 today, since the pure energy efficiency standard no longer causes significant price differences to 55. For solid construction, it becomes significantly more difficult.

State programs can still help, but usually you must not earn much (this is also the case with KfW).

Does anyone perhaps have a tip on what other options there are to get the best possible interest rates or how to get a good bank loan? Has anyone already financed through an online bank, which often promises better conditions, or is it better to do it through the house bank?

Go to the usual loan brokers (Interhyp, for example, brokered around €29 billion in construction financing to about 500 partners in 2022!). But keep in mind that the conditions there are no better than at the local bank. Bank A will offer you the same conditions through a platform as at the counter of Bank A (by the way, the broker receives up to 3% or more commission for brokering the loan, so the top condition is not necessarily guaranteed there, since the bank also has to earn the commission with you). But the broker can also choose from a very large pool of banks and might then offer you better deals from Bank B or Bank C.

Enormous price differences are not necessary. Whether the mason now uses 36cm stones or 42cm stones, it is the same work. The stones are of course more expensive, but the differences are not that big. A bit better windows and a little more perimeter insulation, and you can also quite easily achieve EH40 with a solid construction.

I can't say anything about the Bavarian housing program, but usually with such programs you have income limits that make it difficult to build a house.

The relatively large price differences result, for example, from a ventilation system that is then required, etc., at least that is what we were told by different sources. But interesting that you have a different opinion on that. I would prefer a solid construction over a timber frame, as I have personal connections to construction companies here. The KFW funding is also difficult because heating with biomass is not allowed here. However, I definitely want to heat with wood chips, as I own a forest and through thinning (beetle, storm damage, etc.), enough wood accumulates that cannot be sold profitably. In addition, the wood chip heating system already exists (currently, two houses are heated with it), so I save money on a heat pump again. We would currently meet the income limits for the Bayernlabo thanks to parental leave.

I would definitely plan a ventilation system even for KfW55. Modern houses are airtight and if you want to ventilate through the windows, you just can’t keep up. And then the additional costs between the two standards are actually almost negligible. But if you really want to heat with wood, you can stay with EH55. Then there is no more funding from KfW.

The relatively large price differences are, for example, also due to a ventilation system that is then needed

I also agree that the ventilation system does not make the house more expensive, as it should be installed in any new building anyway – regardless of the standard.