Is building a house today not payable within a lifetime?

Thank you first of all for the helpful answers. I will report on how the land allocation turned out and whether I am allowed to start planning. I may not have conveyed it well, but I am really looking forward to the planning and realization.

Of course, you can also build for less. My house construction (approx. 130sqm) in the extended Lake Constance region is calculated at around 545k, I added a little reserve to the financing. But everything is included, and some items from the extra cost list are checked: KfW40+, geothermal heating, continuously tiled flat showers, garden shed, and carport with tiled roof. But some things are not included: basement, carport instead of garage. Own contributions are only outside; I do nothing inside the house (not a professional and the construction site is an unfamily-friendly 45km away). However, I take care of the entire outdoor facilities: garden shed, carport, paving, splash protection, etc. Most of this can also be done well after moving in if the distances are short.

After deducting equity and grants, just under 400k remain, which must be repaid according to the rule of €400 per €100k of debt. At the follow-up financing in 10 years, a small part will also be paid off through a building savings contract (it still has 3% interest!), and then about 230k will remain. It will then depend on how the interest rates are. Possibly with an increase in installments, a full repayment in 10 years will work if interest rates remain low; otherwise, one in 15 years is aimed for. Total duration therefore 20-25 years. Although I am rather optimistic here, with a €2200 installment, the loan would be repaid in just under 10 years even at 3% interest, and if the interest rates rise that much, I also expect corresponding inflation and wage increases before then ;)

In my opinion, three things are important to avoid repaying forever: 1. not to build too expensively: no expensive land, not too big, no basement, no luxury frills 2. bring equity 3. repay properly

Read through the thread and nowhere did I see WHY it should be built at all. Of course, one can technocratically discuss costs up and down (for which more requirement details would then be desirable), but without understanding the basic motivation for construction, it is hardly possible to make any recommendations.

Yes, I also see it as pure luxury. An apartment is nothing "of my own" to me. Whether I rent or pay off an apartment now doesn't matter to me. The last shirt has no pockets...


Unfortunately, land plots are always gone very quickly. I think there are still people who are drawn to it. I was also thinking more of villages with 2000 inhabitants. My "rural" was perhaps a bit inaccurate..

Houses are being thrown away in such villages where we live. Well, it makes a difference whether you are near Frankfurt in a village or in the Rhön in a village where no one wants to go.

Important in my opinion to avoid paying off forever are 3 things: 1. don’t build too expensive: no expensive plot, not too big, no basement, no luxury frills 2. bring equity 3. repay properly

Thank you very much. I haven’t completely written off the basement yet. Otherwise, I agree with all points.

I went through the thread and nowhere did I read WHY building should be done at all.

Hmm, do you need a reason to build other than wanting to have your own little piece of green? Besides that, I’m also in the mood for it.

In our area, houses in such villages are sold for a song. Well, it makes a difference whether you are near Frankfurt in a village or in the Rhön in a village where no one wants to go

Such regions also exist in Hesse. I try to look at the population development and actually most plots are sold within a few weeks if the region is at least somewhat attractive.

Hmm, do you need a reason to build, other than wanting your own little patch of green? Besides, I also feel like it.

I like the idea. Also because you will have more opportunities for personal development. Maybe someday you want to keep bees, like a friend of mine. Or brew your own beer, have an outdoor sauna, a pond with fish, or 3 chickens, etc. ... none of that is possible in an apartment ... and even if it’s just about a patch of green, that alone is great. Or you have a favorite food or favorite drink or favorite flowers and want to grow the ingredients for them in your own garden. The possibility to make personalized gifts is also easier with your own green space.