Single-family house: Is the rate realistic? How much house can we afford?

Maybe put differently: We don't first plan the house and then see if we can afford it at all. We first look at what we can afford and simply want to make the most out of it.

A sensible approach. Maybe you can also go to the bank and the financial advisor and have the possible current conditions calculated once. Especially with regard to the living cost allowances, certainly very helpful. These vary from bank to bank and are currently surely adjusted to inflation. And no matter what proportions are considered feasible here – in the final consequence, the lender decides.. ;)

That we would like a "more interesting" house DOES NOT mean that we will be able to afford it.

A "interesting" house does not have to be expensive or designed by an architect, so you can certainly realize your wish. I am also one of the forum members here who say you can easily afford a house and I wish you lots of joy and inspiration for your project. The path to get there is surely more fun if you want to build an interesting house than if, like us, you buy/build a "standard house." On this occasion: A new thread titled "What makes a house interesting" would be exciting and very inspiring. Despite my suggestion, I would first have to think about what makes a house – for me – interesting or causes the question in my mind of who might live there. ;-) Do you have time and interest in that? I have started over 70 threads in a relatively short time and would therefore like to hold back a little. :)

Basically, our euro has lost significant value in recent weeks. I don’t want to say half, but it’s heading in that direction.

It seems to me that people don’t understand what is happening. The price spiral is spinning faster and faster, and everyone is taking a piece of it.
Whereas the real price increases haven’t even been factored in yet. So far, it’s all wishful thinking.

If gas prices increase by a factor of 7 again (700%), as Mr. Habeck has announced, then it will really get interesting.
At least German exports have not only collapsed, they have practically fallen apart.

Anyway, the salaries of employees and workers are being devalued at record speed. I don’t see any real countermeasures from the ECB. Therefore, once again, I foresee an explosive interest rate development up to double-digit rates.

Real estate prices will plummet dramatically in the foreseeable future.

However, I don’t really have a good idea for safely investing money against inflation. Maybe one should really start stockpiling coal and firewood.

The pressure on politics is increasing. And there will be a response.

In 1980, Paul Volcker, FED Chief in the USA, after the foreign trade of the USA due to excessive inflation rates and probably also on the instruction of then US President Jimmy Carter, raised interest rates to 20 percent. Very quickly indeed.

The situation was similar back then. The key interest rate quickly rose to 22 percent at its peak.

The pressure on politics is increasing. And they will react.

In 1980, Paul Volcker, Federal Reserve Chairman in the USA, after US foreign trade suffered due to excessive inflation rates and probably on the instructions of then US President Jimmy Carter, raised interest rates to 20 percent. Very quickly even.

The situation was similar back then. The key interest rate quickly rose to 22 percent at its peak.

You cannot compare the USA with Germany and the EU. Interest rates will never be double-digit as long as the euro exists, because otherwise Southern Europeans would become insolvent.

If Germany were to leave the euro and introduce the Deutsche Mark, such a scenario would be possible. But it is not politically desired, which is why inflation and the devaluation of the euro persist.

A reasonable approach. Maybe you can also go to the bank and the financing advisor and have them calculate the possible current conditions. Especially with regard to the living cost flat rates, certainly very helpful. These vary from bank to bank and are currently surely being adjusted for inflation. And no matter what shares are considered feasible here - ultimately the lender decides.. ;)

When it gets more concrete, I would actually have considered that a matter of course, because as you say: in the end the bank decides…