Rent out or sell a condominium? Decision in times of crisis?

That is also just a prejudice against renting. If you don’t only look for tenants online but also through personal contacts, you will find good tenants who pay their rent on time for years and with whom you never have problems but even casually exchange private SMS. Then the tenants sometimes even beautify the garden with lawn edging stones and plants. However, you don’t squeeze the rent down to the last 50€ and trust the tenants by not requiring a credit report, etc. Through trust and respectful interaction, you have already gained a lot. But if the tenants are trusted through acquaintances, it helps immensely not to choose the wrong ones. And the return is not for getting rich immediately. But if you want to get rich quickly, you won’t either. Because 4% return on real estate or 6% on stocks, which can also quickly become worthless (see Wirecard), make no difference. You can always take extreme examples, but real estate is a safe and good investment if you buy at the right price. And even moving into an inner-city apartment instead of a house on the outskirts is, as you already say, simply worth its weight in gold in old age. Because who says that I can afford this apartment in that location later on my pension and that such an apartment will be available on my desired moving date?

to be honest and looking at the last year, I would spend the money on unimportant things. The most sensible thing would still be a photovoltaic system, but I can actually also finance that through a loan. Isn't there even a KfW-subsidized one?

I can only confirm as a tenant. In the last 35 years, I have had rental relationships in 5 rental properties with 4 different landlords. Except for the rental property where I was only for 1 year, I do the utility cost statements in the rental buildings; they have always been good house communities and relationships on an equal footing. My current landlord (2nd property in 22 years) is also not focused on every last euro, but is happy that he has very low turnover. In the current rental property, in 13 years, only one of the 5 apartments has had a tenant change. But this was also the smallest apartment, where turnover is usually to be expected due to the rather young tenant age (relationship, children, job as reasons for change).

Finding tenants through acquaintances/friend circles? Seriously now? In case of dispute, you have fewer tenants and acquaintances.....

Tenant prepares the service charge statements? Asked before or after signing the lease?