We have also gone through the consideration of building new or buying. Since we currently have 4 children, a new build would probably have been quite large and later then with a lot of vacancy. (Partial renting out is not an option)
Therefore, we decided to buy an existing property, which, although built in 1955, has some features such as a pellet central heating system (2006), and due to the layout as a multi-family house, it has 4 bathrooms, 5 toilets. Living area approx. 260 sqm.
The property will be paid off in 15, at the latest 20 years, and can then hopefully be sold again at a reasonable price when the children have moved out.
Fortunately, we live in a structurally weak area and such existing properties are available for around 100,000 EUR. A new build of the same size would probably also easily cost 300,000 EUR.