Swabs in object position and initial questions

So our very first priority is the location and then the home. Maybe both are even tied for first place.

The problem with priorities is that there can only be one number one. So for you, that's the location. That means if it doesn't work out in the desired location, you'll be without a home. (I think that's completely fine.)

At least until the children have moved out, we would probably remain without property, yes. After that, as mentioned, one could simply buy a nice three-room apartment. Well, who knows what the market will look like in 20 years.

I wouldn’t have thought to call the real estate agent there (Saturday afternoon). I just contacted him by email and asked for the detailed exposé, mainly to find out the exact address and about a viewing appointment. This morning I then received the message that the house is already gone. I really wonder. Do people buy after just one viewing, after one viewing without a building surveyor? They must have viewed the house on Sunday or Monday and agreed immediately. I don’t find that fair. I think you should at least get the chance to have a look. But I guess that’s wishful thinking.

Anyway, I thank you for your opinions! That also helped me to sort out my thoughts.

Smaller to medium-sized real estate agents are very phone-driven. Larger ones have an office; which might read the emails

You can ask a real estate agent how many times they have "sold" the same apartment. As long as you as the buyer do not sign anything with the notary, nothing is binding.

After the first step, appraisers and others also come into play

Well, but if he says the house is reserved, he is sorry, and does not want to arrange any more viewings, then he apparently does not intend to offer the house anymore but assumes that the sale is already finalized. So far, I have always called briefly (but during the week), requested the brochure in parallel, and afterwards an appointment was made for later (often because the owners only offered certain dates).

Do people buy after just one viewing, after one viewing without a building surveyor? They must have already viewed the house on Sunday or Monday and committed immediately. I don't think that's fair. I think you should at least have the chance to take a look. But that's probably wishful thinking.

Yes, that's exactly what people have been doing for a while. We experienced it ourselves two years ago and, as a result, even once gave a commitment directly at the first viewing (it's anyway non-binding as long as nothing is happening with the notary). And we were the very first at the viewing (three hours after it was posted online on immoscout24). Called two days later, they said they actually wanted to get back to us, but the house was already gone. The two appointments after us outbid each other and so it went to the highest bidder and not "fairly" to the first, namely us. Plus the others came in with a Benz and thus suggested they had the cash more readily available.

If you see something interesting, hold on to it. Emails are too slow, weekends don't count. But you have learned that yourself now. This has nothing to do with fairness, the seller wants to sell, should he wait for that fairly?