How long did it take you to reach the construction decision?

A collapse of the real estate market with corresponding loss of value and price decline would require that nobody buys anymore. NOBODY, not even those who are no longer waiting for the crisis, who are still waiting now. Otherwise, everyone would wait and then buy; only if there is such high interest from those waiting is there no price decline

As long as the economy is booming and interest rates are low, not much will happen, that’s true. But in a globalized world, this can change quickly, and as an export nation we are particularly vulnerable. Trade and sales are ultimately a lot about psychology; it doesn't even need an apocalypse. It is enough if the supply of real estate on the market increases again. If I have a stock that grows year after year and pays a nice dividend, I won’t sell it, just as I wouldn’t sell a home without necessity that currently makes me richer every year – on paper. But already at the first setback (e.g., profit warning), I as a buyer become cautious and observe more closely, and at the latest when the chart points clearly downwards, I will part with it. When it comes to money, Germans are simply very sensitive. I can always tell this well when customers at our place almost blow their top about a €2.50 monthly account management fee (but willingly pay €3 at the Christmas market for TetraPak mulled wine... another topic). We know from customer talks that many from the 50+ generation and the silver agers definitely want to move again (barrier-free, easy to care for, closer to the children, etc.), but keep postponing their plans because the pressure is not big enough yet. Exactly these people will seriously approach selling their house as soon as there is a real danger that next month they might get less for it and the move to the children and grandchildren threatens not to happen, at least not visibly. But as I said, as long as Trump keeps his hands off, Putin’s hands are tied, China keeps growing, Italy’s money tap is not turned off, etc., then none of this is an issue.

when customers almost blow a fuse over a 2.50 euro monthly account management fee

... maybe that's because by now it's almost "across the board" (pun intended, lol) a pure account number fee and you get the feeling that even if they greet you back it costs extra.

For us, it was already decided many years before building the house that we would eventually build in my hometown (buying was unfortunately not an option, no one moves away here, and accordingly, there are no houses for sale).

The plan was always to start planning when my husband finished his studies. Until then, we saved every available euro from my small sole income for our dream house. Luckily, the rent of our old house was very cheap and had hardly any additional costs.

My husband wanted to submit his master's thesis in autumn 2014 and then start a permanent job, so at the end of 2013 we already started looking at model houses and searching for a construction company. The plan was to start building at the end of 2015/beginning of 2016 and then move in in 2016.

We quickly found a construction company we trusted, and our dream house as well. The preliminary building inquiry for our plot was positive, so in summer 2014 we signed the preliminary contract, in November the work contract, and in December of the same year submitted the building application.

We actually wanted to start in May 2015 and then move in September/October, but our construction company was able to bring the start date forward, so construction began at the beginning of March, the topping-out ceremony was in mid-April, handover at the end of July, and moving in mid-August 2015.

We are totally happy that it worked out faster than planned, which saved us a harsh winter in our old wooden house with a smoky stove!

In total, just over 1.5 years from the first information to moving in.

you don't really build that just because of the maximum ten years during which the later brats are cute

No, you misunderstood me. It's about the timing. I didn't say I build only because of children, but I am building NOW because of the children. Owning a home was already planned for us anyway, but when it comes to timing, for me there is only one answer: the sooner the better.

Regarding the crisis: a wave of sales leading to an oversupply and price drop, well, I don't know to what extent one can draw meaningful analogies to a stock investment, but okay.

I have already mentioned the basic problem elsewhere. Due to the migration situation of recent years, the German or the population living in Germany has grown faster than housing has been created. I don't want to start a political discussion here, so it doesn't matter whether we're talking about half a million or three million. In any case, a city of that size is missing in Germany. At least politics is now talking about social housing, but until something really happens and the backlog is caught up, housing remains scarce, meaning: sellers dictate prices as they please.

The real estate crisis that is coming, where prices will fall again and interest rates will rise again, has been talked about for years (!). The nasty word "globalization" is often thrown in there as well. Do you really believe that in, say, 3 years the interest rates will be back at 6%, while prices will fall so drastically that waiting will be worth it..? Honestly, I don't. Interest rates may rise again at some point. But I don't believe that prices will fall to the extent that some probably wish for.

That prices will fall to the extent that some probably wish for, I do not believe.

I fully share this skepticism. As soon as there is some relief somewhere (keyword Baukindergeld or similar), there is also someone who takes it right back out of your pocket. The update of the energy saving ordinance – in my opinion a political farce of the highest order – will rather continue to drive construction costs up overall.

However, I expect a cooling of the boom in the real estate market segment of junk plots (steep slopes, narrow strips, tiny lots, swamps), quite simply due to the approach to the saturation point.