House construction, how much can we finance?

But I believe the shift towards more home office etc. will draw even more people further out of the cities.

The possibility of working from home 1-2 days already plays a role in our decision. Fortunately, Corona has advanced this quite a bit.

For single-family houses, the "offer prices" have increased significantly - these figures come from this study after all. The real estate agents add quite a bit more to the prices. The condominium units relevant as investments are not promoted as highly anymore - yet these are precisely the "concrete gold."

The consequence of home office, absolute overpricing compared to available incomes, and the death of the scene due to Corona: there is the possibility of a new beginning. "Digital Natives" can (if broadband is available) also work far out and only commute offline for important team meetings. I stick to the cycles - after the last 15 years were characterized by the rush to the cities and before that the flight to the countryside was in demand, the direction can now be reversed again. The hip scenes are not shaped by the 40+ real estate buyers but by the young who can no longer afford anything and need free spaces. The latter have been all densified away in the cities..

Marburg is very beautiful and I find it very livable to visit. Such cities are popular when quality of life & economy fit. That always pushes the prices up. What alternative does the OP have? Moving away. Is that an option? I hardly believe that one always becomes a village person, always dependent on public transport and/or a car. Then rather smaller (apartment e.g.) where the girlfriend might come along. I can understand if she doesn’t want to restrict herself

I have always been a village person. From my point of view, Marburg is not comparable to many other cities. I also didn’t want to live in Gießen or Wetzlar. I think it can make sense to invest €100,000 more than for a plot of land in the countryside if it makes you happier and you can afford it.

Where the question then arises again as to whether and what kind of land there is in Marburg. For fun, I took a look at Immoscout. At the moment, there is only one piece of land listed for Marburg, and it costs €398,500. In the surrounding area, however, there seem to be plots of land for much less money. But you first have to decide where you want to go.

Which then raises the question again of whether and what kind of plots there are in Marburg. I looked on Immoscout for fun. At the moment, there is only one plot listed for Marburg and it costs €398,500.
In the surrounding area, there seem to be plots for much less money. But then you first have to consider where you want to go.

At the moment, there is nothing.
What would be the procedure to find something?

Enquire with the city? Which portals should be kept an eye on?
Get on a waiting list somewhere?

Hmm, that's also quite generalized. Friends of mine are considering a currently advertised semi-detached house in Markt Schwaben near Munich. From your perspective, they are lucky that in addition to their 100,000 they also receive 200,000 as a gift from their parents. But the semi-detached house with 100 living space and 250 plot, with everything included, unfortunately costs 1,000,000. With a loan amount of 700,000€, you will still need a decent income even with parental assistance to be able to manage that.

And yet there will be people who can pay it. Conversely: imagine if no one inherited anything. Then your friends and everyone else could afford accordingly lower house prices. I maintain: overall, the inheritance wave is driving up house prices.

Regarding the impending "urban exodus." This will also push prices in the surrounding areas, especially for single-family homes. Prices for large family apartments in urban areas will no longer grow as strongly. Smaller single apartments, etc., will still be in demand.