Is building and renting a semi-detached house reasonable as a capital investment?

The OP has to learn to calculate, not ask how others do it. The basic principle is, I give with my left hand and take with my right, and what I take must be more than what I give. What does a million cost? Two percent per annum? So 20 thousand. And what does it yield? 10% p.a.? So 100 thousand? Before tax? Yes? Or 60? Then it is worth borrowing it and investing it that way. Karsten

Ok all good, that's why I registered here to hear opinions and learn something. How does it look with [Zwangsversteigerungen]? Can you buy something there, e.g. a condominium, and then rent it out, or does that no longer work?

Renting as a source of income only works with ten or more units, preferably in very sought-after locations. And even then, only if you calculate carefully. Being "nice" to your tenants is often no longer affordable.

A friend who is a law professor once told me: "If you want to buy an apartment, don’t. If you have an apartment, sell it. And if you are supposed to inherit an apartment, refuse the inheritance."

The profit is in the purchase. So: [Zwangsversteigerungen] is a good source for buying. Deal with how it works. Also go to 2-3 appointments and see what goes on there and what kind of birds show up, cash still counts on the table. I am not negative about rental as a source of income if the property and location are right. Good investment.

What about forced auctions? Can you buy something there, for example a condominium, and then rent it out, or doesn't that work anymore?

Of course it works. But be aware that you (probably) buy a pig in a poke, since you cannot inspect the property. Furthermore, you won’t get a bargain at a forced auction anymore, as currently everyone is looking for investment alternatives and real estate is in demand. So you can also simply look for an apartment normally and rent it out – which has the advantage that you can see the apartment from the inside. Whether it’s worthwhile is another question – it depends on the property and your financing structure.

Renting as a source of income only works with ten or more units, preferably in very sought-after locations. And even then only if you calculate strictly. You often can no longer afford to be "nice" to your tenants.

Nonsense. With 10 units you earn simply ten times as much in the worst case. No more and no less. It is almost worth hiring a management company because the workload becomes significantly greater. So, rather less profit than if you manage a few units completely on your own. In very sought-after locations you generally earn less because the purchase price in relation to rental income is extremely high. Personally, I invest rather in solid middle to simple locations. At least there you can still get a return. Cash flow is more important to me than a (possible) increase in value, which can also become negative again in very sought-after locations (e.g. Düsseldorf).

Holiday apartment also good. Hannover-ne holiday apartment on the Wismarbucht. Poel. That would be something too.