ᐅ How to Afford Building a House and Land Today?

Created on: 12 Jun 2019 21:52
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Berlin85
Hello everyone,

Since I started exploring the topic of house construction two months ago, I have now registered on this forum.

A brief introduction about me and my wife: We are both employed (civil engineer and real estate assistant) with a net income of 4xxx.

Equity capital: 50,000 euros.

One would actually assume that with this equity and net income, buying a property should be easy. However, since I do not want to repay a loan over 30-35 years but rather a maximum of 25 years, and I don’t want to fully stretch the limit, the monthly installment and therefore the total amount quickly become restricted. A total of 250,000 net plus additional construction costs equivalent to the equity capital would be the limit here. In Berlin and its surrounding area? Practically unthinkable.

I am a civil engineer (although specializing in concrete repair and thus not an expert in single-family houses, etc.) and can therefore assess construction prices, combined with my wife’s interest in the real estate sector, allowing us to understand the high general prices for land.

With 250,000 net plus additional construction costs, there is generally not much you can do nationwide for new builds — this is my initial assessment.

There has already been a lot of discussion here in other threads about construction costs, potential capital, and what is needed. When I see bargain houses on TV, I also facepalm. My assumption is that such homes don’t bring much joy. Heating systems, plumbing, electrical installations, thermal insulation — these are often overestimated.

Currently, I am researching prefabricated houses with self-finishing options. However, I do have some concerns, even though I assume that nowadays the materials at least meet certain standards.

So, what are the options?
Being bound for 30 years and pushing the loan to the limit?
House auctions?
Hoping for a bargain plot including an affordable prefab house as a self-build (lots of work and potentially many worries)

Since I plan to start building within the next 24-36 months, my initial findings are sobering.

At least the construction company I work for could provide the foundation slab plus groundwork like drainage, etc., at a low cost. I also know structural engineers and others involved. Maybe the project can be realized with a “small” budget thanks to these circumstances.

Has anyone managed to do this before?
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Farilo
13 Jun 2019 19:10
fragg schrieb:

If you were living a real daredevil lifestyle, flying to Vegas once a quarter with the guys for poker and driving a Porsche to work, okay, I get it. I can’t afford that and I’d be a little jealous too.

But I bet my life isn’t any less exciting than yours, even though I have a big house – and you don’t.

At the end of the day, you’re parking your money at 0.01% interest in a savings account because funds feel too risky, and you’re still driving a 10-year-old car.

Your house might be bigger... but mine is fully paid off.
How many more years or decades do you still have to pay?

And, uh, I don’t have to work anymore. (I’m under 40).

But I’m sure your life isn’t any less exciting than mine. All good.

Edit: And before anyone complains about me mentioning my paid-off house... he “asked.”
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HilfeHilfe
13 Jun 2019 19:50
We have a new couple
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Bookstar
13 Jun 2019 20:56
The heat seems to be getting to some people’s nerves, folks, folks..
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Farilo
13 Jun 2019 20:56
No, no... We’re not the type to ruin threads with negativity and publicly share childish private messages.

All good. Now please stay on topic.
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Berlin85
13 Jun 2019 22:02
Good evening everyone.

Just got home and unfortunately can’t respond in detail right now.

I was really hoping to find a SERIOUS forum with SERIOUS answers.

When I quickly glanced through them, I was somewhat shocked……
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Berlin85
13 Jun 2019 22:03
-XIII- schrieb:

That's exactly how it looks. My wife and I also wanted to build in Berlin or its suburbs, but nowadays there is usually a well-connected developer, general contractor, or real estate agent involved, which drives up the prices quite a bit. After months of searching, we moved a bit further out and actually managed to find a lucky break in terms of land.
I can gladly send you a private message