House construction 2024, affordable with little equity?

Don’t do that, but rather invest the money in a luxury holiday home in the countryside. I’m simply in favor of property plus ETFs as retirement provision – I just don’t understand why there isn’t a middle ground – apparently there was only a single-family house with garden as ownership or an apartment for rent in Berlin. What about the condominium in the commuter belt? Still better than renting.

OT: who do you contact if you want to receive independent advice on investment opportunities?

Interesting points – which I don’t agree with at all and think you made the right decision emotionally (because you are very anxious about it), but which is a short-sighted one.

If you simply live renting and don’t save anything, you won’t be one of those 60-year-olds who can rely on a paid-off house – but rather those who have rented for 30 years and will be significantly poorer than comparable property owners.

Keep in mind that the 1.5% or 2% repayment you make on a mortgage loan is saving – which you as a tenant also need to do. And then on top of your 2,000 euro all-inclusive rent, there will be a few hundred euros more – from an income/expense perspective, you won’t be living lavishly as a tenant either.

Instead of being afraid of a well-plannable (since it can be checked monthly) interest rate increase in 15/20 years and worrying about refinancing when the time comes (which is really quite manageable), I would be massively afraid of constantly rising rents and, for example, an owner’s own-use termination / termination in general. And if you compare a nice large apartment with a single-family house plus garden, that’s apples and oranges. If you get divorced in 12 years, you can sell the house, pay off the outstanding loan, and you both benefit from it. If in 12 years you have to find a new place in Berlin, well good luck with what rent you’ll be paying then.

It is important to understand that renting is not the “safe bet” either because you bear other risks there as well. If you pay 2,000 euros today, what will the rent look like with a 1.5% increase per annum shortly before retirement? That’s what I’d be afraid of!

I don’t want to get into the rent vs. buy debate again, but you have to consider that both options come with risks.

You simply chose consumption (see holidays etc.) instead of building something financially over decades. Let me make it very clear again: What do you prefer? To be 60 with a property close to Berlin, for example 80% paid off, or to be 60 paying 3,000 euros all-inclusive rent? The reason most tenants have not been able to build significant wealth is because they can’t save anything in addition to rent. You should at least use the large amount that goes monthly to the bank (or, in your case, to the landlord) (this is called "repayment").

Don't do that, but rather invest the money in a luxury holiday home in the countryside.

I'm simply in favor of property plus ETFs as retirement provision – I just don't understand why there isn't a middle ground – apparently, there was only a single-family house with a garden in ownership or a rental apartment in Berlin. What about the condo in the commuter belt? Still better than renting.

I'm simply in favor of property plus ETFs as retirement provision – I just don't understand why there isn't a middle ground – apparently, there was only a single-family house with a garden in ownership or a rental apartment in Berlin. What about the condo in the commuter belt? Still better than renting.

I just want to briefly say that I (hopefully in the distant future) will be the sole heir of a property, since my parents own the classic family home nearby.