Land prices and standard land value and tips for land search

The desired area would be the region south of the A2 between Bielefeld and Gütersloh, rural). Is there still room for negotiation when buying,

No, Gütersloh means Bertelsmann Group. Therefore, it’s not rural enough to have no competitors.

Second question: In some forum posts I read the recommendation that using the search term "11ant barthel" would lead to tips on land search. Unfortunately, this only shows threads that contain this exact hint – what you’re actually supposed to find with it I don’t find... Does anyone have tips for us?

You should have stumbled over the hint half a dozen times already that I use the same member name ;-) at gmx (de).
It will probably take until at least August until the tips are on my website (possibly also Augustine, my cooperation partner likes to gender).

Would you try to negotiate, or would that be the sure way to never get a piece of land?

For properties that you find with the help of my tips, “negotiating” is a term from a foreign world. On the one hand, you won’t encounter moon prices, but on the other hand, you also won’t want to bargain anything down, and yes, that would ultimately be counterproductive.

Thank you for the answers to my questions. The links to the corresponding threads have already been helpful.

Since in one thread the image of a tie-wearing SUV-commuting tourist was drawn: We currently live rather rurally renting (more small town than village), but we have only recently moved here and are not really connected. We spend the day like most of us at work, except for the current home office regulations—without SUV and tie. We also have to commute, like most small town residents. Our desired region brings us closer to our workplaces. However, proximity to the workplace is not the main reason for wanting to build a house—it is rather the longing for our own four walls and a garden. Existing properties do not really appeal to us—if something of our own, then the realization of our ideas, of course within the bounds of what is possible. Building in our current place of residence would also be an option. There are also some building gaps in the area; whose they belong to and whether they can be bought still needs to be found out somehow. We definitely do not want to live farther away from work; commuting time is lost quality of life.

We had hoped that the search for land would be easier. Assuming a functioning (online) market was probably a bit naive...

If I have interpreted this correctly, one has no chance to get an affordable plot if one is not rooted in the desired region. Unfortunately, a very sobering realization.

I admit, we want to live in the countryside and be left alone. Shooting club/carnival club, church and other traditional events are a horror to us, and as a rather introverted couple we generally find it difficult to form relationships. Building new relationships only for the purpose of getting land feels morally extremely questionable.

Apart from the fact that meeting people in the village pub or at the shooting festival is currently not happening anyway due to the pandemic, I think this is not the right way for us to get a plot. That’s just not who we are, and I simply don’t want to believe that this is the only way.

The plan now is first to activate the word of mouth through colleagues and acquaintances and see if something can be found, and also to put up notices on the blackboards of shops in our desired region.

Against the background that prices will probably continue to rise in the foreseeable future, we are not getting any younger either, and if possible want to have the financing done by retirement and do not want to waste valuable years searching for land: What other options are there?

Standard land values (BRW) are only for the banks. They use the value to determine your equity in paid-off properties. From my point of view, standard land values are worthless. The BRW here is currently 100 € / sqm. Just recently, the large developer sold the plots for 350-400 € / sqm + commission. Negotiation is hardly possible because the demand is very, very high. So if you like a plot, grab it.

After all, apparently plots of land are listed with you. Here, ebay classifieds are full, full, full of requests, and a "finder's fee" is now even being offered.

I don't know your region, but you are still very much living in a pipe dream. First, take stock of what you can and want to afford. Not only are plots of land expensive, but construction costs are currently rising sharply again. And to be honest, I wouldn't simply rule out existing properties. You can do something with good quality.

No, Gütersloh means Bertelsmann Group. Therefore, it is not rural enough to have no competitors.

Not rural at all, at least landscape-wise. There is indeed a lot of land and small villages but really a lot of money in circulation. Many big names around, not just Tönnies. You’ll be amazed at how much money is moving around in the villages near Gütersloh. I claim that the proportion of those who bought their SUV cash is shockingly high.

We had hoped that the search for a property would be easier. Assuming a functioning (online) market was probably a bit naive...

The plan now is initially to activate the grapevine via colleagues and acquaintances and see if anything turns up, and in addition, we will post notices on the bulletin boards of shops in our desired region.

You can completely forget about online. At the moment it is just as exaggerated as the market for used bicycles, where 2010 full-suspension bikes are traded on e*b*y classifieds at +200% above RRP.

What you can do online is search the individual town halls for building areas and call to find out who is marketing them and how.

Postings in shops? It can’t hurt, I think. Maybe you can attract some retirees with them. It is definitely better to use colleagues and personal contacts. Please note that in some – especially more rural – areas, used real estate is still affordable. However, only those that come directly from private sellers or agents. On the internet, you usually only find the junk.

In my view, standard land values are worthless. The SLV around here is currently €100 / sqm. Just recently, the big developer sold plots for €350-400 / sqm + commission.

Between Herford and Herzebrock, to stay along the A2, I would agree with this statement. Between Herford and Rahden, the standard land value should actually reflect the current situation quite well. Regarding the development of SLVs, in the first region you can observe something like an exponential increase, while in the Minden-Lübbecke district most areas are very stable. The family of a friend converted a meadow into building land there in 2020 for just over €100 and sold it.

If I interpreted that correctly, you have no chance of getting an affordable plot if you’re not rooted in the desired region. Unfortunately, a very sobering realization.

Yes, unfortunately it is like that. We also built in the village, most people here are well connected. The older folks all know each other anyway, and the younger ones hang out in various WhatsApp groups. That’s where you find the interesting offers. Just last week I saw a notice in a WhatsApp status that a house is being sold a village away, asking if anyone knows someone, etc. It’s not listed anywhere online and probably never will be. That’s generally how it works in rural areas according to my experience. That’s why online you only find the leftover junk or properties at exorbitant prices. You can search as long as you want.

A good contact point as an outsider in Corona times is the village hairdresser. Those who work there usually know everyone in town. Just get your hair cut there for a change and tell them about your situation. If they find you likeable, they will be happy to help you. However, you have to integrate a bit into the village, otherwise you won’t feel comfortable long-term and you won’t experience the advantages of village life (e.g., more mutual helpfulness). For example, I don’t need to buy a chainsaw here; I borrow one from the neighbor three houses down and return it clean with a six-pack included...