Purchase project of an existing property in the northern suburban belt of Hamburg

Too late ;) Already canceled... Unfortunately, the situation wasn't really suitable and the whole property was too compromised for that - unfortunately. I'm much more annoyed that we were too late for the semi-detached house in Elmenhorst advertised until early January. Would have been almost perfect and was supposed to cost 360k. It was available for two months or even a bit longer.

The mentioned conditions are already pretty good considering that you only want to bring the incidentals when purchasing. But they keep changing constantly. Without a specific property in the pipeline, the offer is naturally of little use to you.

The market is thinned out almost everywhere in the country, even in municipalities that used to be unpopular. Reasonably normal prices can only be found in remote places with poor transport connections and hardly any infrastructure. As soon as there is still a supermarket, daycare center, elementary school, etc. in the town and the bus goes every hour to the nearest medium-sized center, prices know only one direction: upwards. You will probably need a lot of patience before you find something. If you are lucky, the conditions will still be unchanged or similar then.

Yes, I fear that too... that's no longer normal. Fortunately, I have connections through acquaintances rooted in some desired locations. Even the postman is activated there :) Compared to today's offer, it was almost luxurious half a year to a year ago.

Yes, I fear so too... this is no longer normal. Fortunately, I have connections in some desired locations through acquaintances who are rooted in the area. Even the postman gets activated there :) Compared to today's offer, it was almost luxurious six months to a year ago.

You almost inevitably need connections. But spatial flexibility is now just as important. If home office becomes a permanent thing for you, then you can also accept a few more kilometers of commuting to work. We searched for 6 years and looked at some houses that were quite nice but unfortunately not ideal in terms of the commute. With today's knowledge (both working from home), I probably would have gone for one. I would give myself a year to find something in the desired area. After that, I would definitely widen the search radius. House hunting is just incredibly time-consuming and sometimes exhausting; you shouldn't give yourself too long.

In principle, you are absolutely right. How working from home will be long-term is not yet 100% clear. The fact is: if I stay with my current employer, a train station should be reasonably accessible because the office is downtown.

In principle, the area where the example house is located is more expensive than where we are searching. We are looking about 15-20 km from the city limits. The house from the example is closer and has a subway station 2 km away.

I have also already signed up for the mailing list of regional realtors. Today a nice semi-detached house in a town (15,000 inhabitants) came in for 470 k. Built in the early 90s but already partially renovated. About 450 sqm of land. In the surrounding towns, it is usually a bit cheaper.

One town further (one of the desired locations) a semi-detached house with 750 sqm of land in a field edge location, modernized except for the bathrooms, was offered last April for 350 k. It was listed for over a month, that thing. Doesn’t always have to mean anything – of course.

To wrap up the topic here once again:

Since we were on the interested parties list with several real estate agents, we were offered a mid-terrace house built in 2000 at the beginning of May.
We actually didn’t want a mid-terrace house, but looking doesn’t cost anything, so we called quickly and made an appointment. We were incredibly lucky because, due to the fact that the property was still rented and the tenants only allowed one viewing per week, we were practically without competition. We were actually in second position, but the first appointment fell through, making us the first to see the house.

After the first appointment, we slept on it overnight, said yes, and immediately applied for financing.

The approval came quite quickly, so we were able to go to the notary on 02.07 and will probably take over the house in mid-August.

Key data:
Mid-terrace house built in 2000, 97 sqm, 4 rooms plus attic with 37 sqm (50 sqm floor space) to be developed
Plot 258 sqm owned land with carport and parking space next to it right in front of the door, private road only for the row of 11 houses
Behind the carport there is still plenty of space for a huge shed or another parking space, really great for a mid-terrace house.

Location: On the outskirts of a 16,000 inhabitants city in a new development area from 2000, directly on a nature reserve. Train station with connection to Hamburg (2x per hour, 30 minutes travel time) just over 1 km away.
Our dream city in a dream location. Could it have gone better?

Purchase price: 450 K

Yes, this has gotten crazy here but we can afford it and that’s the main thing.

Before moving in, renovate thoroughly and buy some furniture (we still have equity left) and then we will be happy :)

And for the good feeling: When we are done with the renovation, we will still have a five-figure cushion left - great :)