Semi-detached house for capital investment. Sole investor or with brother?

Borrow over €450k with €2500 net income? Save yourself the trip to the bank. The banker would just laugh at you and politely send you away.

Replace "Bruder" with "friend" and we recently discussed exactly this topic. I looked up the search function for you: and

By the way, I would reconsider the house design:

I was thinking more about 90-100 sqm. That is also the size of my parents’ semi-detached house.

That may be true that it has worked before – basically, I would consider a classic two-family house rather than adjacent maisonettes for this apartment size.

Basically, with this apartment size, I would rather think of a classic two-family house instead of adjacent maisonettes.

But that also has disadvantages. Who has the garden usage; who has to endure the neighbor above them acoustically? That can be better managed with halves. The intended sizes are no longer up-to-date either. What about "shared areas"? Are they part of the living space? Or is the basement added?

90 sqm is extremely borderline for a vertical apartment, as the ratio of apartment / stairs is very unfavorable. One level of 120 sqm and one level of 90 sqm plus shared utility rooms / storage etc., and one party simply goes around outside to their garden area - better than nothing. I am not saying anything against the semi-detached house itself here, but only that it is the wrong choice for this apartment size.

Nothing can be said in general about the constellation of such a project within the family. Sometimes people quarrel over money. Sometimes helping each other works excellently.

Consider which return you are aiming for and calculate the budget for the house from the projected rental income. Keep in mind that you have maintenance costs and bear the risk of vacancy.

How much personal contribution can you make?

I find 90 sqm too small when it comes to targeting the right audience, who might want to rent there.

Aside from the fact that the brother does not benefit in the slightest from being included in the financing, as his salary is too low, I assume in the new development area that renting out is not allowed and only owner occupancy is permitted.

When investing in concrete gold, money must be available; otherwise, it is not an investment. You basically have to be able to afford a “retirement provision,” meaning: have money left over.

Sorry, no bank will go along with that, even if the land is given as a gift.