ᐅ Is the real estate market increasingly forcing families to build their own homes?
Created on: 6 Apr 2019 11:35
T
Thierse
Actually, we would prefer to avoid building. Unfortunately, existing properties within a 20 km (12 miles) radius have become quite expensive, and affordable rental houses with small gardens are simply scarce.
Until now, we have been living in an old rental apartment without a garden. We would like to change that, but there is a lack of options. The listings on various platforms are overcrowded with families looking for affordable housing.
Who is familiar with this situation, and how do you deal with it?
Until now, we have been living in an old rental apartment without a garden. We would like to change that, but there is a lack of options. The listings on various platforms are overcrowded with families looking for affordable housing.
Who is familiar with this situation, and how do you deal with it?
hampshire schrieb:
Building a house is quite easy if you have a flexible budget. Setting the right priorities and building cost-effectively yet smartly is much more challenging.That may be true. However, depending on the region, construction companies are very busy, and this is clearly reflected in the prices—even for simple building methods. We are currently experiencing this ourselves while gathering various quotes. Even prefabricated houses built in a straightforward way have become quite expensive nowadays.
I am already very happy and grateful to have a house AND to have gotten it at a low cost. Everything else will come with time. It bothers me much less that we don’t have a wardrobe or a proper kitchen yet (camping stove, no sink, etc.) than it used to bother me living in a rental apartment with all its disadvantages (especially because of the neighbors). Just the fact that we can now do whatever we want here and everyone else has to stay outside, even keeping a good distance, is priceless.
When it comes to whether buying is worthwhile, quality of life can’t be measured in any amount of money. And that is the main reason to buy. Especially if you don’t intend to leave an inheritance. Building wealth doesn’t matter to me at all. Although we bought back then with only a small income, no equity, and now according to calculators have an income that’s no longer considered middle class, our life hasn’t really changed. Still never been on vacation, still drive a used car, the house is still a construction site, and we’re still satisfied. Maybe next year or the year after, we’ll manage to install a kitchen—and by that I mean the old kitchen we brought from the rental apartment. The only thing missing right now is the floor. But that would be an absolute dream.
In short: with modest expectations, it’s quite easy to be happy.
When it comes to whether buying is worthwhile, quality of life can’t be measured in any amount of money. And that is the main reason to buy. Especially if you don’t intend to leave an inheritance. Building wealth doesn’t matter to me at all. Although we bought back then with only a small income, no equity, and now according to calculators have an income that’s no longer considered middle class, our life hasn’t really changed. Still never been on vacation, still drive a used car, the house is still a construction site, and we’re still satisfied. Maybe next year or the year after, we’ll manage to install a kitchen—and by that I mean the old kitchen we brought from the rental apartment. The only thing missing right now is the floor. But that would be an absolute dream.
In short: with modest expectations, it’s quite easy to be happy.
H
hampshire14 Apr 2019 12:05Thierse schrieb:
That may be true. However, depending on the region, construction companies are very busy, and this is clearly reflected in prices. Even with simple building methods. We are currently noticing this ourselves while requesting various quotes. Even simply built prefab houses have become quite expensive by now. That is correct. Building has become very expensive. Therefore, I have great respect for those who manage this with clear financial plans and limits. These are the people who can be especially proud, as they have achieved something significant. Those who can simply invest more money into the construction find decision-making easier. This was the point I was trying to make.
Thierse schrieb:
The costs around the house (earthworks, excavation, parking spaces, retaining walls, terraces...) can especially add up significantly on a sloped site.Yes, and those are difficult to influence.
This forum reflects reality. When I look around here, even among those who do a lot of the work themselves, our house is neither exceptional in size nor in features.
There are semi-detached houses, 120 sqm (1,292 sq ft) single-family homes, up to high-end fittings on 240 sqm (2,583 sq ft).
The Flair home builder usually doesn’t come here. Why would they?
Much of what is discussed here, like floor plans or smart home technology, is not their focus.
@Yosan
It’s nice that someone with experience in the “catalog home” sector is here now — no negative connotation intended.
How often do newcomers hear that the house doesn’t fit their budget?
How often are warnings given to save money?
More suggestions for downgrades are made than for upgrades.
Unfortunately, this is often ignored.
I’m curious to see how this will develop.
Additional financing? Debt counseling? Forced auction? Or will the Flair home still be built?
Considering that building land is scarce, the requirements for living space size should be somewhat more modest. Some floor plans would also benefit from removing a children’s bathroom and a walk-in closet.
@Fummelbrett
The meal plan is quite luxurious.
I have a book from the 1930s somewhere in a box, and the meal suggestions there looked much simpler, especially regarding heating costs.
Potatoes were cooked for several meals—boiled potatoes, then leftover potatoes were turned into fried potatoes, and mashed potatoes were reused in soups.
Meat and sausage were almost not used at all.
My grandmother’s handwritten cookbook includes everything from pancakes to egg liqueur. It’s entirely focused on what the farm and garden could provide.
A lot of time was spent on canning, pickling, and working in the garden.
Slaughter days, baking days, days when sauerkraut was pickled, apples and potatoes were harvested, or elderberries and sloes were collected were long days when everyone had to help, and all other tasks were put on hold.
The meal plan is quite luxurious.
I have a book from the 1930s somewhere in a box, and the meal suggestions there looked much simpler, especially regarding heating costs.
Potatoes were cooked for several meals—boiled potatoes, then leftover potatoes were turned into fried potatoes, and mashed potatoes were reused in soups.
Meat and sausage were almost not used at all.
My grandmother’s handwritten cookbook includes everything from pancakes to egg liqueur. It’s entirely focused on what the farm and garden could provide.
A lot of time was spent on canning, pickling, and working in the garden.
Slaughter days, baking days, days when sauerkraut was pickled, apples and potatoes were harvested, or elderberries and sloes were collected were long days when everyone had to help, and all other tasks were put on hold.
Elina schrieb:
I’m already very happy and grateful to have a house AND to have gotten it at a good price. Everything else will come with time. I’m much less bothered by the fact that we don’t have a wardrobe or a proper kitchen (camping stove, no sink, etc.) than I was back then living in a rental apartment with all its disadvantages (mainly dealing with neighbors). Simply being able to do whatever we want here and having control over who enters, with plenty of space around us, is priceless.
When considering if buying is worth it, quality of life is not reflected in the price at all. Yet that’s the main reason to buy. Especially if you don’t plan to pass it on as an inheritance. Building wealth is not important to me at all because of that. Although we bought back then on a small income, without any equity, and now according to calculators we earn enough not to be considered middle class anymore, nothing has really changed in our lives. Still never been on a vacation, still drive a used car, the house is still a work in progress, and we’re still satisfied. Maybe next year or the year after we’ll manage to install a kitchen — and by that, I mean our old kitchen that we brought from the rental apartment. Right now the floor is still missing, but that would be an absolute dream.
So: with modest expectations, you can be genuinely happy.That said, I think after some time you should try to at least have a functional kitchen—especially if the kitchen is already there and only the floor is missing. And no wardrobe at all? For me, those are basic things that should actually be in place from the start.
Just my opinion.
I also consider vacations very important.
Best regards
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