House Building Forum - Would you buy or build a house again?

Wow, nice thread that has popped up here for me to see.

As - at least currently - a convinced and also happy renter, I can represent an absolute minority position.

I deliberately, provocatively, put forward a thesis: The gain in freedom that most home builders associate with their build is an illusion. Conversely, renting offers significantly more freedom.

What? Yes, you heard correctly!

I see two views on freedom competing here.

a) For the convinced home builder, freedom of design is paramount: to create a living space that best meets individual needs without having to consider restrictions imposed by a landlord. For this, they are willing to bind themselves locally and take on obligations to a bank for 20 to 30 years. Furthermore, they very often accept significant limitations in asset accumulation and thus retirement provision (depending on the size and location of the property).

b) For the convinced renter, freedom of movement and financial freedom are paramount. Career opportunities associated with changing jobs are not hindered by the obstacle of owner-occupied property.
Also: giving an unwanted employer the cold shoulder and, if necessary, downsizing without problems, or daring the financially uncertain step into self-employment: none of this can be done anymore when you have commitments to a house that do not allow a temporary reduction of cash flow.
This freedom is therefore given up to the house. If you then live in a rural area where resale is more difficult than in urban areas, you make yourself a slave to your property.

So you see, there is a trade-off between different freedoms, and you need a well-established life concept as well as basic economic knowledge to make the right decision. Then, despite the respective disadvantages, one or the other living concept will also bring you joy.

I am in favor of everyone doing what makes them happy. But for this, it must be the case that one has the aforementioned respective advantages and disadvantages all on their radar to make the right weighing.

Sometimes - and I actually mean this constructively - I don’t have this feeling. For example, when young people under 30 (and I am barely older myself) finance something rural for 30 years and partly even believe that when they no longer pay rent at some point, they have done their retirement provision.

Only when they know that this is wrong and still want to build with a clear conscience are they convinced home builders whose decision will bring them happiness!

I do not mean any harm here, but I would like to prick the filter bubble that I think I can read out of some posts in this thread. No offense to all home builders!