ᐅ Is the construction boom still ongoing?

kati1337 schrieb:

My parents also financed at 9% interest and weren’t exactly wealthy. But that was a different time. In the village, everyone knew people who could help, and a lot was done through self-build efforts. Back then, the construction itself, I mean technically, wasn’t as demanding. And there was no construction trade association sending letters to everyone involved on site. 😀 On Saturdays, a whole group of private helpers from friends and family would be fed, and in return, you basically built at material cost.
My mom recently said that with the way we build today (general contractor, large loan), they wouldn’t have been able to afford it. Their income wouldn’t have allowed it. I think it’s really hard to compare independently of interest rates.

And then in the following years, you had to work on the construction site every weekend alongside all those helpers until the last person in your circle of friends or family finally had their own home...

Honestly, I’d rather spend that time with my wife and child than be forever indebted to 50 people...

Here in Wolfsburg, a new residential area called "Sonnenkamp" is currently being developed with 3,000 housing units on 150 hectares (370 acres). It will include single-family homes, townhouses, and apartment buildings. I am curious to see how the sales will go.

Until before the pandemic, there was very high demand and corresponding prices here. Compared to previous years, there was a lot of incoming migration, and the city’s image had changed into an attractive place to live.

Now, the largest employer offers very commuter-friendly remote work policies (up to four days per week on average per month), so living on-site is not necessarily required.

However, among builders and planners, there is no sign of a downturn. I have been looking for months for someone to do basement waterproofing, insulation, and drainage...

LordNibbler schrieb:

Here in Wolfsburg, a new residential area called "Sonnenkamp" is currently being developed with 3,000 housing units over 150ha (370 acres). It will include single-family homes, townhouses, and apartment buildings. I’m curious to see how the sales will go.
Before the pandemic, there was very high demand and corresponding prices. Compared to previous years, there was a lot of inward migration and the city’s image had changed to that of an attractive place to live.

Now, the largest employer has very commuter-friendly remote work policies (up to four days per week on average per month), so living locally is not necessarily required.

However, among construction companies and planners, there is no sign of a downturn. I have been searching for months for someone to do basement waterproofing, insulation, and drainage...

Just take a look at Steimker Gärten.
It has been finished for ages but is still not fully sold because demand has collapsed.

Regarding construction companies and planners, we are in the same boat: we can’t find anyone either...

Oetti schrieb:

And for that, in the following years, you had to work every weekend on the construction site with all the helpers until the last person in your circle of friends or family finally had a house...

To be honest, I’d rather spend that time with my spouse and child and not feel eternally indebted to 50 people...

See, perception can be so different. These people helped you, and they give back in return. Whether it’s being invited for gatherings, the children playing together, or getting help when problems arise.

Offtopic schrieb:

You see, perception can vary greatly. These people have helped you, these people give something back. Whether it’s being invited to celebrations, the children playing together, or assistance during problems.

That kind of thing isn’t valued anymore today... craftsmen and especially neighbors look at you completely baffled when you say, “Painter, flooring installer, paver, patio builder? No, I’m doing that myself with a few friends...”

That’s also why there’s so much complaining about how incredibly expensive building has become... because even for two provisional steps in front of the door, a “professional company” is hired, which of course won’t start work for less than 1,000 EUR/day.

And that’s why many spend their free time with their spouse and child not in their own home, but in a rental apartment... because they don’t want to owe eternal gratitude to 50 people 😉

Somehow, I get the feeling that there is always ONE person who has to have the “final better word.”