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

One could also consider focusing on less water-loving plants instead :S (Crazy idea, I know)

We tried that and planted "hardy" Dusty Miller. It grew great and had wonderful violet flowers, didn’t need much water either, but unfortunately it wasn’t actually hardy. :( Also: starting from the water outlets, you can of course also install drip irrigation :) It doesn’t always have to be the sprinkler.

One could also consider using less water-loving plants instead :S (Completely crazy idea, I know)

But less doesn’t mean none at all. You will definitely need irrigation depending on the soil.

But less doesn’t mean nothing at all. So depending on the soil, you definitely need irrigation.

Whether it then absolutely has to be automated ;) I always find it a bit difficult with all the things you "need" and everything you "have to" plan for. The thread starter also mentioned the rocket that’s being pushed on him here ;) Of course, it’s true that many things can be implemented more easily (and often more cheaply) if you plan them directly during new construction. Also, that you shouldn’t underestimate some costs is certainly true (here mentioned among others kitchen and outdoor facilities). In this respect, the advice is not always inappropriate. But in the end, the builder has to set priorities themselves. And that you can just cancel the whole project if you go without a carport or have a cheaper kitchen or wild growth in the garden is often a bit extreme to me ;)

But less doesn’t mean nothing at all. So depending on the soil, you definitely need irrigation.

There are people who deliberately pour gravel to create a dry location. That barely holds any water and doesn’t have to hide in front of your sand. ;) In other words: for every soil and every climate, there are suitable plants. Possibly you just can’t play golf on it then. Irrigation is only absolutely necessary for the vegetable garden, since there is simply no drought-tolerant alternative. But then you get vegetables in a quality that you can’t buy. I also think that much of this topic is due to ignorance. People do certain things because that’s how it’s done, and then it gets automated with robots and irrigation systems. I see it with myself; the original garden was also quite "normal" planned, and the more I deal with the topic and the more conscious decisions I make, the further the new plan moves away from that.