Is financing a single-family house feasible for us?

We might actually find a second child less important than the basement at the moment.
Of course, that can change.

"Dad, why don't I have a sibling?"
"You know, my son, we would have basically liked to have a second child, but we preferred to build a basement."

Anyone who fundamentally does not want to have children / cannot have children or decides for themselves that it should definitely not be more than one child, fine.
But to build a house for 500k and give up the second child because you want more luxury? Honestly, I find that pretty sad.

Our neighbors, who built almost the same, paid 50k more.

When was that? Remember that construction prices are constantly rising.

I think this is all way too vague.

Ultimately, it can only be judged whether you can manage €1,800 with your possibilities/income etc.

Yes, you can.

Currently, nothing else can really be assessed. For that, you need to have many more conversations with the architect and need reasonable offers.

A lot of things for us only dissolved into thin air when we found out what various things cost... Your girlfriend will also quickly say goodbye to some things once you’re deeper into the matter, believe me.

And really only take the advice of your parents that is worthwhile. 60% is no longer relevant these days. Parents still claim to know all about the circumstances, which is usually not the case. If then the daughter, your girlfriend in this case, lets herself be talked into too much, it leads to totally wrong expectations. To me, it reads as if that’s going in this direction... Do your thing and if possible, mostly leave your parents out of it.

Here, I have to agree with some people in the thread. Then usually things come like:

- You need a party basement, we had that too!
- Electric shutters, no one needs those, we don’t have them either!
- Ventilation system -- What’s that? You don’t need it!
- Garage – ABSOLUTELY necessary! How can you not build a garage?
- Basement – Basically NO option to do without one.

As you can see... things just change way too much in this area.

--> Also the topic of free planning and a lot of DIY work. Think about that really carefully!! Just because in the past the percentage of craftsmen and own work was much higher and that used to simply be “standard,” doesn’t mean that it still makes sense in your case today. Ultimately, you are building the house, not your parents! The craft has also continuously evolved. No idea if all the retirees can still manage it like that today.

A completely different question: At the beginning you say that construction will start/can start in 4 weeks and the loan agreement is ready, but on the other hand, you have no exact costs for the house construction or your hope is based on the prices of your neighbors.

Which bank offers a loan without a precise cost breakdown? And how can construction start in 4 weeks if apparently there are still no real offers? These are – when signed – binding at first. Sure, something can still be added, but normally you have at least an approximate price for the house with all the basic offers. Don’t forget the 10-15% markup and money for the kitchen should also be saved.

By the way, what often annoys me (but I’m probably an exception here) is that you talk about:
- free living with the parents
- parents can then contribute money if things get tight
- parents can watch the grandchildren if no daycare spot is available
- parents take care of construction management.

Hmm, a different topic, but the parents are very happy that we live in the house with them and quite sad that we are moving out. They would also very much like to look after their grandchildren. Additional money, as I said, we would actually be reluctant to accept. Realistically, we will inherit it sooner or later anyway, so why should our parents not be able to experience during their lifetime what we did with the money. Construction management was a voluntary offer. Maybe it’s different in the village.

When was that? Remember that construction prices keep rising.

Last year. With the VAT reduction, at least not much should have changed.

Just a completely different question: At the beginning you say that construction will start/can start in 4 weeks and the loan agreement is ready, on the other hand, you say that you don’t have exact costs for the house construction or your hope relies on the prices of your neighbors.

Which bank offers a loan without an exact cost breakdown? And how can construction start in 4 weeks if apparently no real offers are available yet? These – once signed – are initially binding. Sure, some extra costs can arise, but normally one has at least a rough price for the house with all the basic offers. Don’t forget 10-15% contingency and money for the kitchen should also be saved aside.

As I said, we have an offer for all trades. Also already for the kitchen.
Only, for example, with friends, the offer for earthworks was 15k, but in the end the invoice was 25k.
For other friends, the landscaper’s offer was 60k and the invoice was 90k.
There are plenty of such examples.
That would break our neck.

Hmm own topic, but the parents are very happy that we live with them in the house and quite sad that we are moving out. They would also very much like to look after their grandchildren. Additional money, as I said, we would actually prefer not to accept either. Realistically, we will inherit it sooner or later anyway, so why shouldn’t our parents be able to see what we have done with the money while they are still alive. Construction supervision was a voluntary offer. Maybe it’s different in the village

Last year. With the VAT reduction, not much should have happened there at least.

And the free rent? It’s like you haven’t even started your own life yet since a lot comes from the parents. Maybe one should see how it is without the parents and how one manages there before starting the adventure of building?