Is financing a single-family house feasible for us?

I understand you. However, your attached calculation is really only somewhat affordable with extreme self-effort. Plastering, shell construction, etc. — there is simply a massive lack there, and you will face increases. Of course, you can always manage a bit here and there and a 3% account as well. But that will not fully compensate for the additional costs.

And don’t underestimate the small stuff. So much comes up that doesn’t appear anywhere. I’m just saying sealing terrace doors, garage coating, fall protection railing, scaffolding, paints, brushes, covering materials. Furniture has become immensely expensive and you have to furnish an entire house. But also laundry chutes, claddings, insulations, etc.—many things are to be provided by the builder according to the offers. For all those things you can easily budget another 20k to 40k.

I see your cost calculation exactly as it was for us back then... it’s solid...

absolute question of belief. We think basements are cool. We set up a first-class gym there, a large laundry room, storage room for food and more, and a wonderful office/guest room. All with lots of light and living quality. We would always build with a basement again. Such different needs!

absolute matter of belief. We think basements are cool. We have set up a top-notch gym there, a large laundry room, a storage room for food and such, and a wonderful office/guest room. All with lots of light and living space quality. We would always build with a basement again. Such different needs!

yes, I understand that people think differently and have other needs. You can definitely say in one sentence why and what you use the basement for: namely for activities that contribute to life satisfaction. Just a party basement is less than a fitness/guest/basement with living space quality. That’s where you see the difference. I haven’t heard a good reason for the basement from the original poster. And when finances get tight, the basement is a good opportunity to ask yourself some questions.

Why, I’ve already listed that we have the building services there. We have a laundry cellar with storage space for food because the kitchen is not big. We have a workshop because we do a lot of handiwork. And we have a hobby/storage room, which is simply important for us. Currently, for example, my parents have a sauna, a fitness room, and a nice room for relaxing/parties in their cellar... All of this is used a lot and is not wasted space. Furthermore, of course, a lot of storage space, which is simply differently important to everyone. My girlfriend’s parents have a dream wellness oasis with a whirlpool in their cellar, so here again the space is already in use. If our building window were bigger, we could consider the cellar, but as it is, we don’t see any possibility there. Especially since the cellar, due to the slight hillside location, doesn’t cost an extreme amount anymore and the west side has windows. Converting the attic into storage space is also only possible to a limited extent. We both need a home office, so if we should have 2 children, the office should be in the attic.

And you have to have a little understanding for my wife too. You somehow didn’t study just to then feel like you can’t afford anything at all.

I wouldn’t have expected anything else. I’m really curious how this story will end. You don’t have to discuss a basement. Whoever wants a basement and doesn’t just use it as storage, but integrates it into the thermal envelope with controlled residential ventilation, underfloor heating, etc., considers the basement as living space. And let’s be honest, 20sqm more living space don’t replace an entire basement floor, not even close. I don’t have to ruin my valuable living space including the ground floor layout with a technical room, utility room, or guest room.

I understand you. However, your attached calculation is really only somewhat affordable with extreme personal effort. Plastering, shell construction, etc., there is simply a massive lack, and increases will be coming your way. Of course, you can always save a bit and have a 3% account as well. But that will not fully compensate for the additional costs.

And don't underestimate the small stuff. So much comes up that doesn’t appear anywhere. I’m just talking about sealing terrace doors, garage coating, fall protection railing, scaffolding, paints, brushes, covering materials. Furniture has become immensely expensive, and you have to furnish an entire house. But also laundry chutes, claddings, insulation, etc. Many things are the responsibility of the builder in the offers. For all these things, you can easily calculate another 20k to 40k.

I see your cost calculation exactly as we did back then... it’s solid...

Thanks for the feedback!
That helps me!

Well, maybe in a year I can report back on the status of things
Although we are expecting a construction phase of 2 years, so there won’t be any final cost results that quickly

You will definitely manage it. Especially because of the family support. Fewer surprises still lead to calmer nights and less headache. And setting a limit even during the selection process is essential. Otherwise, you will eventually exceed your parents' possibilities. And when it comes to choosing the floor, the bathroom, and the kitchen, there is no limit upwards. Thinking that you don’t want to downgrade and that you have earned all of it doesn’t help either. Although I can understand that to some extent. Sometimes I can’t protect myself from it either. We also occasionally ask ourselves what is actually going on here when we look at an existing property for 500k, where the current owners were assembly line workers and a housewife and barely had money for maintenance. But there is no helping it. Realities sometimes have to be accepted. Regular reports about the construction progress would definitely be great.