ᐅ Building a Home – Getting Started Can Be Challenging – How Do You Begin?

I wouldn’t be so pessimistic right away.
If you can only afford €1100 (about $1200), that also implies that the current rent isn’t more than €1100 (about $1200).
So, living there is quite affordable, which means the land prices probably aren’t very high either.
Maybe the father can contribute some equity, and there’s always the option of putting in a lot of your own work. For a family of that size, I would build at least 180 sqm (about 1900 sq ft), but you can also manage with 120 sqm (about 1300 sq ft).
What about buying an existing property?

However, I would give up the idea of “having a developer build a 200 sqm (about 2150 sq ft) house plus a granny flat.” Even if the land were given for free, the income wouldn’t be enough.

I’m also skeptical about the equity. But that wasn’t the question. I stand by my approach: step by step, first the plot of land. Then we’ll see what can be built on it, what it might cost, and if it’s feasible. But no overthinking. First the plot.

Have you decided to build a house? Then now is a good time to save up the necessary equity – around 80,000 (eighty thousand) should be enough. Once you have that, come back again.
As you said yourself: every beginning is difficult!

Lumpi_LE schrieb:
I would also build at least 180 sq m (1,938 sq ft) for a family,

At least? With a tight budget?
We are building with 2 children's bedrooms (each 17.5 sq m (188 sq ft)) and a study (15.8 sq m (170 sq ft)), a parents’ walk-in closet instead of just a wardrobe (about 4.5 sq m (48 sq ft) more than necessary), and the almost absurd luxury of a separate laundry room (9 sq m (97 sq ft)). From our 175 sq m (1,883 sq ft), you could cut almost 30 sq m (323 sq ft) without it really hurting. If you add a bit more space for the second shower bathroom and the utility room (then again a laundry/utility room), you end up with just over 150 sq m (1,615 sq ft), which is sufficient without problems, although not incredibly comfortable. And it was already clear that princess dreams don’t have a place here.
However, I see no chance for the granny flat for Dad.

You should build up equity, yes. Does your wife contribute to a government-subsidized retirement plan? Without her own income and with three children, it’s worthwhile. A simple bank savings plan, no costs or interest (at least nothing noteworthy), but for 60 € (about 60 USD) per year she gets over 1,000 € (about 1,000 USD) in subsidies, and when the time comes, she can withdraw the capital and invest it in the build. Of course, it will be taxed later, but it’s still essentially free money.

The example I mentioned earlier (Ytong panel house "innovationshaus 240," detached. 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) plus 53 sqm (570 sq ft) granny flat) also allows for 3 children's bedrooms. With some creativity, it might even be possible to add a home office.

Kekse schrieb:
At least? When the budget is tight?

I’m writing from my own perspective, not “If I were you.”
That’s why I mentioned in the second part of the sentence that it’s possible to manage with 120 if the budget is tight...