ᐅ Is Building and Renting a Semi-Detached House a Viable Investment?

The original poster needs to learn how to calculate, not how to ask others. The basic principle is: I give with my left hand and take with my right, and what I take must be more than what I give. What does one million cost? Two percent per year? So, 20,000. And what does it yield? 10% p.a.? So, 100,000? Before tax? Yes? Or 60,000? Then it makes sense to borrow it and invest it that way. Karsten

Ok, all good. That’s why I signed up here—to hear opinions and learn more. What about forced sales? Is it possible to buy something there, for example, a condominium, and then rent it out, or does that no longer work either?

Renting out as a source of income only works with ten or more units, preferably in highly sought-after locations. Even then, it only works if you calculate very carefully. Being “nice” to your tenants often becomes unaffordable.

A friend who is a law professor once told me: “If you want to buy an apartment, don’t. If you have an apartment, sell it. And if you are about to inherit an apartment, refuse the inheritance.”

The profit is in the purchase. So: foreclosures are a good source for buying. Learn how it works. Attend 2-3 auctions to see how things run and what kind of people show up. It still comes down to having cash on the table.
I don’t have a negative view of renting as a source of income, as long as the property and location are right. It’s a good investment.

Makav55 schrieb:
What about foreclosure sales? Can you buy something like a condominium there and then rent it out, or is that no longer an option?

Of course, that still works. But be aware that you are (probably) buying a pig in a poke since you can’t inspect the property beforehand. Also, you won’t find any bargains at a foreclosure sale nowadays, because everyone is looking for alternative investments and real estate is in demand.
So, you can just look for an apartment through regular channels and rent it out—that way, at least you get to see the unit inside.
Whether it’s worthwhile is a different question—it depends on the property and your financing setup.

Deliverer schrieb:
Renting out as a source of income only works starting with ten or more units, preferably in highly sought-after locations. Even then, you have to be very strict with your calculations. Being "nice" to your tenants is often no longer affordable.

Nonsense. With 10 units, you’re simply making about 10 times the income—no more and no less. At that point, it almost makes sense to hire a property manager, as the workload increases significantly. So, your actual profit might be less than if you manage a few units all by yourself.
In highly sought-after locations, you actually earn less per unit because the purchase price compared to the rental income is extremely high.
Personally, I prefer to invest in solid mid-range to modest locations. At least there you can still achieve a return. For me, cash flow is more important than a (potential) increase in value, which can sometimes even turn negative in very expensive areas (for example, Düsseldorf).

Holiday apartment also works well. Hannover-area holiday apartment on Wismar Bay. Poel. That would be an option too.