Purchase existing house, end terrace house built in 1978 - questions/decision aid

Hello everyone,

our search for plots of land (see other thread) proved to be very difficult - all plots were too much of a compromise (or simply way too expensive at €1500/m²). We have also kept an eye on existing properties from time to time and over the past few days have viewed a very interesting property that convinced us very much in terms of location and price (public transport connections excellent, infrastructure great, very nice garden) - however, as you can guess from the title, it is used.

Briefly about the property:
- End of terrace house (solid construction, brick house)
- 180m² (very wide, therefore it feels more like a semi-detached house)
- Oil heating (renewed about 10 years ago), oil tank was moved from the basement to the garden at the same time (and a workshop was created inside the house).
- Roof is insulated
- Seller denied asbestos
- Seller has lived in the property since about 1995 (tendentially longer), selling because they are moving back to their home region due to age
- Electricity meter/distributor also reasonably up to date
- Shutters are made of aluminum
- Double glazing, at least partially
- Brick construction
- Facade was done a few years ago (painted)
- Fully basemented
- Fully developed (basement, ground floor, 1st floor, attic)
- Tiled roof
- Energy certificate states D (105 kWh final energy / 116 kWh primary energy)
- Fireplace in the living room

Location etc. is practically perfect, the house fits well into the budget (i.e. we have about 50% equity, the rest we would repay at just under 4%. Purchase price is about €970k, land value for a plot of about 400m² is €1500). Price-wise we hope there is still a bit of room (although the house is comparatively "cheap"/reasonable compared to other houses in this location).

We are aware of some renovations or refurbishments and would aim for the following:
- Remove the rough plaster from all walls in the house, repaint
- Standardize floors (partly tiled)
- New kitchen
- Photovoltaic system (possibly with a domestic hot water heat pump)
- Possibly rebuild bathrooms, we are not so happy with them - as they are relatively small (in one you could enlarge the room); but they are still quite newly done - so no urgent need there
- Paint windows
- Paint doors

We dare to do the floors, painting etc. ourselves, or would do as much as possible on our own. From the two viewings so far, nothing has really stood out, everything looks well maintained (even the WC in the basement, although very old and in a 70s style, looks like "new").

Now the only question is what to watch out for with this year of construction / what other possible upcoming renovations might we not have considered?

We look forward to any input and thoughts!

Now the only question is, what do you have to watch out for with this year of construction / what are other possible upcoming renovations that we don’t even have on our radar?

Possible renovations? Actually everything, since the house is "old" except for the renewed oil heating system. - Windows are an energy disaster - Electrical wiring probably 3-wire, but otherwise almost 50 years old (number of sockets, LAN, circuits, etc.) - Roof covering might need to be replaced soon - How is the roof insulated? - Water pipes in poor condition? And so on. It’s a house that is marketed by the real estate agent as well maintained and typical for its year of construction. If it suits you, why not snap it up? After all, it seems to be livable – and is also occupied. You don’t always have to have everything new. Personally, I only pay attention to roof, windows, electrical, heating, water/sewage, moisture in the basement because I consider these things essential. The rest is a matter of taste. Even insulation is not a priority for me,

Addition: A floor heating system is installed on the ground floor, in the other two floors "normal" radiators.

Possible renovations? Actually everything, since the house is "old" except for the renewed oil heating system.
- Windows are an energy disaster
- Electrical wiring probably 3-core, but otherwise almost 50 years old (number of sockets, LAN, circuits, etc.)
- Roof covering might be due soon
- How is the roof insulated?
- Water pipes in a soft condition?
Etc.

It is a house that is marketed by the realtor as well maintained and typical for its year of construction.

If it suits you, why not go for it? After all, it seems to be quite livable – and is also inhabited. You don’t always have to have everything new. Only for roof, windows, electrical system, heating, water/sewage, moisture in the basement do I personally pay attention, because I consider these things essential. The rest is a matter of taste. Insulation itself is not currently a priority for me,

Thank you very much!

- Windows have apparently already been partially replaced in recent years – but of course a very valid point to follow up on.
- I need to check the electrical system again – but I think I have already crossed that off. I want to record the sockets precisely on the next visit. LAN is of course an issue – but I would see it as rather secondary for myself now. Although we both come from IT, with a few good WLAN access points the problem should be mitigated.
- Roof covering: How can I assess it without climbing onto the roof? They are Frankfurter Pfanne in shape.
- Roof insulation: I need to check, I only have the information "1990".
- Water pipes: I will check (as soon as I find out how I can do that).

Take an expert with you if possible. They can tell you, for example, the condition of the roof tiles (concrete roof tiles do not last as long as fired bricks, for example). Then it will be fine.

At best, take an expert with you. They can tell you, for example, the condition of the roof tiles (concrete roof tiles, for instance, don't last as long as fired tiles). Then it'll be fine.

I failed to get an expert. No appointments available in the next x weeks. I’m going through it this week with an acquaintance who has already completely renovated several houses and built one from scratch himself. Not the ideal solution - but the only one I have right now.