Opportunity to build on a plot of land next to the suburban railway line?

Hello everyone,

my name is Michael, I am 33 years old and currently looking for a house or property in Baden-Württemberg together with my wife. My parents own a large, undeveloped plot of land (1000 sqm) located on the edge of a small town that would be ideal for us. It is very likely that a building permit would be granted there. The location of the plot itself is also very good: supermarkets, kindergarten, school, daycare, shopping facilities, S-Bahn station, etc. are all only a few minutes away on foot; the city center can be reached in 15 minutes or 5 minutes by bike, and the forest is 3 minutes away on foot. My parents would give us a hereditary building right for the plot. I will inherit the property when my parents pass away, which hopefully is still a long way in the future. They definitely do not want to sell the plot. Either we build on this plot virtually for free, or we look for something else and have to buy another property.

The big disadvantage is that the plot is directly next to an S-Bahn line. Only relatively new, electric S-Bahn trains run there, no freight trains/ICE/Regional trains, etc. The line is moderately busy; on Sundays during the day, trains run only twice per hour, during weekdays at peak times approximately every 8 minutes.

We could not afford a property in this town ourselves and would have to move significantly further out into rural areas that are only connected by buses.

I have made a sketch of the plot. The green area east of the plot will very likely also be developed soon. The plot is completely flat, the tracks lie in a small depression about 1 m below the surface level of the plot.

Normally one is strongly advised against plots next to railway lines, but mostly freight trains/ICEs are meant here, which are significantly louder than modern S-Bahn trains. Besides, the advantages of this plot regarding the overall location should not be disregarded; we will not find anything comparable without an S-Bahn. How would you act in this situation? Build and pay attention to high soundproofing, or look for something else?

have lived for years on an old s bahn line as well. you get used to it.

May I ask why your parents do not want to sell or transfer the property to you?

So will it be a leasehold agreement? I find that a bit strange

How would you act in this situation? Build and pay attention to high sound insulation, or look for something else?

Definitely do not look for something else. Every week we read here about unfortunate prospective builders who can only get semi-detached house-sized pipe-head backyard or vineyard plots. With a property like that, which just has a little pimple on the a**, you can consider yourself lucky. I would, as her (or the parents), submit a building inquiry in advance, then you know what is possible. Presumably, there are already regulations regarding soundproof windows in the development plan.

So it will be a hereditary building right contract? I find that a bit strange

I would rather call it elegant, congratulations on the smart parents!

I would also pay attention to good windows. Maybe you could build your own soundproof wall (but I don’t know how much that costs) or provide some soundproofing with plants. It sounds like, apart from the railway, the property is perfect for you and I don’t think you will find anything even remotely as good.

I would rather call it elegant, congratulations to the smart parents!

What is the advantage here? Other than the fact that the parents retain ownership until the end? Does the OP then dutifully pay the monthly interest to the parents?

Only you can answer that for yourselves. Of course, it is tempting when the infrastructure is very good and you get it for free. But having an S-Bahn right in front of your nose is definitely a big drawback.... it's simply a matter of personal preference whether one wants and can deal with that or not. Otherwise, apparently, everything speaks in favor of the property.