How is a 400k loan financible without equity? Net equity at €4,500

And that is also the crucial point that, in my opinion, you somewhat overlook in your review of three generations. The described occupations back then were certainly not those of the top 15-20% of incomes. But today, with some exceptions, these are the only ones who can manage a new construction project through "own hand labor." Nowadays, it is simply no longer possible, even through sacrifice, to start a new build for €500,000 unless you have a certain income and preferably capital. Another point is – 60 years ago, there was only one direction – upwards, things kept getting better, and it was felt that way too. Today, that is not the case. Of course, you get gimmicks very cheaply, but the saturation level is correspondingly very high. You can get a drone for 100 euros. Phones can do everything and cost nothing anymore. You have more streaming content than you could consume in three lifetimes. But the feeling that everything is getting better is certainly no longer there. Everything is getting more expensive, and the number of those who can keep up is getting smaller and smaller. Especially when it comes to building a house.

Which three generations?? That was in MY life or you have yet to be born. I’m not saying it’s easy nowadays, but probably not a single person in this forum (myself certainly included) would be willing today, under these circumstances, to build a simple dwelling (and even there the comparison doesn’t hold, I don’t really remember well what our "standard" was back then). Back then it was not enough just to sacrifice. People decided to live together in extended families, made promises of care (which were mostly kept), and worked to the point of back-breaking labor. As I said, we lived in the simple newly built semi-detached house of 90 sqm with two families and a forest worker in the basement as a subtenant. Only that way and with probably a 60-70 hour week for my father was that possible. Own room?? One bathroom for all! Yes, you could afford that standard with a lot of work. Almost everyone can afford something like that today, but we’re talking here about stylish single-family homes with nice front gardens, etc. In my opinion, we were not badly off, but we didn’t have central heating, no insulation in the rooms upstairs, etc. I’m not complaining because it was a good time for us. But I am grateful that it is different today. Of course, I also agree with you that fewer and fewer people can afford it, and the gap is known to be widening. But from MY OWN experience and a number of peers, I can tell you that people would have licked their fingers for something like today, which luckily they didn’t know back then. I prefer living today, and my parents often said they are glad it has improved in this way. I understand what you want to say to me; however, I cannot agree with you that it was easier to build a house back then because then we are talking about completely different things. If you today build a simple 90 sqm house without any comfort and work every evening and weekend on the construction site together with your family members for two years (and then for the next two years at a cousin’s construction site, etc.), and after that rent out half of the 90 sqm to family members and seasonal workers... THEN almost everyone can afford a house again. Because that is exactly what you cannot compare it with, and certainly not with the turnkey house Erika with 130 sqm and a terrace. I absolutely understand your arguments but this comparison from my life is flawed. And... you say it went only upwards for 60 years??? But for many, the first 20 years were pretty deep down, and when I look around nowadays I don’t get the impression that the majority is somewhere down again. We all trample meters high through consumption, you and I just as much, even if some may be better off. That you or some others have the feeling you described that it is worse or getting worse, I believe that; nonetheless, you should be glad that you were not born in my parents’ generation.

The other point is - for 60 years there was only one direction - upward, it always got better & it also felt that way. Today that is not the case.

There is something to that, there were many of those years of upward mood, maybe not exactly 60 in a row but still shaping generations. Many today think crisis-oriented, think in terms of security instead of opportunities and act accordingly cautiously. A good market for media, which keeps turning the wheel through the pleasure of voyeurism of disasters and embarrassments from the couch. The problems we address here we would not have at all if things were not going so well for us. Here people complain on an absurd level - just take a look around the world. Whoever is healthy, optimistic, has a dream of their own four walls and lives accordingly, will achieve that with a very high probability and can be very satisfied with it. For that you don’t need 4500€ net. That is simply nonsense. There are enough examples.

We decided three years ago that we wanted to build. From that point on, we adjusted our lifestyle accordingly. By consistently keeping a household budget, we were able to drastically reduce and curb our expenses.

At that time, we had a combined gross income of about €6,500. We consistently saved all surpluses, special payments, and tax refunds. Since we budgeted for expenses such as leisure, vacations, and shopping and actually used them, we did not feel like we were missing out on anything.

Of course, income also increased continuously, but during these three years of "saving time," it averaged about €8,000 gross. Nevertheless, we managed to save around €100,000 by the start of our new construction project in January 2020. Our house construction project amounts to €580,000.

What I want to say is this: If you really want to fulfill your dream of owning a home, it is possible even with an average income, as long as you are willing to make corresponding sacrifices in other areas.

Fortunately, both of us made a considerable jump in salary in 2020, allowing us to somewhat reduce these sacrifices despite parental leave, etc.

Which three generations?? That was in MY life or are you yet to be born-.

Exactly. Your parents' generation built, you grew up there (Baby Boomer). Then came the next generations (X, Z, and now Y). Sociologically, there is a new generation every 15 years. For each, the world is quite different. The course of things..

As my father-in-law always says, "you young people consume everything senselessly" consuming is not worthwhile

Exactly. Your parents’ generation built, you grew up there (Baby Boomers). Then came the next generations (X, Z, and now Y). Sociologically, a new generation arises every 15 years. For each, the world is quite different. The course of things..

Sociologically possibly accurate, for me and my awareness regarding the local topic of house building it is just one generation. They first took care of me (built and maintained the house) and then I took care of them (built and maintained the house). Whether it will continue like this I do not know, so I remain as independent as possible. You probably come from the generation of my children, and therefore I know that they have their own worries and troubles and experience the injustice you mentioned. With full understanding of this, I know, however, that it has always been like this (unfortunately), and attempts to explain that it has never been as difficult as it is now and that everything was so easy before, I counter with exactly what you will also tell your next generation. In retrospect, people tend to romanticize things, and if you only know them from books or films, you should be aware that you can never fully empathize with them from today’s perspective and in full scope to make such a strong judgment. As you say, the world is different for everyone, correct. So it is different in your imagination than it actually was for those affected back then. Nevertheless, I understand that you can perceive much in today’s life as difficult or even unfair. But that is just how it is, and all complaining probably does not help, rather the consistent decision for your very own life path. There are plenty of beautiful ones, with or without a little house.