Hello everyone,
I have the opportunity to acquire a small plot of land for a semi-detached house in Telgte (North Rhine-Westphalia – near Münster). It concerns plot 1468 with 237 sqm (2,550 sq ft) in a residential area 2.1 according to the attached development plan (link is below). From the land registry, I already found out that the plot measures 9.5 by 25 meters (31 by 82 feet). The garden faces directly onto a newly planned playground. The development of the new residential area will be completed by the end of 2025, and building would be possible from early 2026.
Before I commit, I have some questions and would like to hear your experience and opinions.
1. There is an obligation to build a semi-detached house together with plot 1469 (same size). According to the development plan, the houses must be “uniform in height, roof shapes, roof slopes and eaves, as well as roofing material.” I don’t know the neighbor yet. Does this mean the houses must be identical, or could I, for example, extend my half of the house further into the garden if the neighbor wants to build smaller? Regarding width and height (e.g., a set-back upper floor), I understand that differences are not allowed. (Floor-to-floor heights are specified.)
2. Is the plot size generally suitable for building? The width of only 9.5 meters (31 feet) seems very narrow to me. This means the house can be at most 6.5 meters (21 feet) wide to just barely maintain the required distance to the neighbor. A garage would probably no longer fit. The goal is to build a semi-detached house of around 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) suitable for small families (2 children).
3. Are there any other disadvantages of the plot (besides the small size) that you can see from the development plan? I generally like the location in the area. Thanks to the playground and the meadow behind the garden, there is at least a partial view of green space. ;D
I consider the price and other conditions to be fair and they should not play a major role in the evaluation here. Unfortunately, I only have one week to make a final decision. Otherwise, the next people on the waiting list will receive the offer.
If you need any more information from me, please feel free to ask. Otherwise, I look forward to your assessment.
I have the opportunity to acquire a small plot of land for a semi-detached house in Telgte (North Rhine-Westphalia – near Münster). It concerns plot 1468 with 237 sqm (2,550 sq ft) in a residential area 2.1 according to the attached development plan (link is below). From the land registry, I already found out that the plot measures 9.5 by 25 meters (31 by 82 feet). The garden faces directly onto a newly planned playground. The development of the new residential area will be completed by the end of 2025, and building would be possible from early 2026.
Before I commit, I have some questions and would like to hear your experience and opinions.
1. There is an obligation to build a semi-detached house together with plot 1469 (same size). According to the development plan, the houses must be “uniform in height, roof shapes, roof slopes and eaves, as well as roofing material.” I don’t know the neighbor yet. Does this mean the houses must be identical, or could I, for example, extend my half of the house further into the garden if the neighbor wants to build smaller? Regarding width and height (e.g., a set-back upper floor), I understand that differences are not allowed. (Floor-to-floor heights are specified.)
2. Is the plot size generally suitable for building? The width of only 9.5 meters (31 feet) seems very narrow to me. This means the house can be at most 6.5 meters (21 feet) wide to just barely maintain the required distance to the neighbor. A garage would probably no longer fit. The goal is to build a semi-detached house of around 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) suitable for small families (2 children).
3. Are there any other disadvantages of the plot (besides the small size) that you can see from the development plan? I generally like the location in the area. Thanks to the playground and the meadow behind the garden, there is at least a partial view of green space. ;D
I consider the price and other conditions to be fair and they should not play a major role in the evaluation here. Unfortunately, I only have one week to make a final decision. Otherwise, the next people on the waiting list will receive the offer.
If you need any more information from me, please feel free to ask. Otherwise, I look forward to your assessment.
In principle, I think the offer is reasonable, based on your description. However, I would definitely want to find out what your neighbor is planning. Otherwise, you can’t really assess what is possible for you. What if they have something completely different in mind that would completely disrupt your plans?
With some polite phone calls, you should at least be able to establish contact in the short term.
With some polite phone calls, you should at least be able to establish contact in the short term.
N
nordanney25 Sep 2025 16:54kbt09 schrieb:
Why? The 1500 per year were after allYep. At least €1,150 (about $1,250) more per year than just a private heat pump.H
Horst Peter27 Sep 2025 13:15jrth2151 schrieb:
Basically, I think the offer is reasonable, based on your description. However, I would definitely want to find out what your neighbor is planning. Otherwise, you can’t really foresee what options are possible for you. What if they have a completely different idea that totally disrupts your planning?
With some friendly phone calls, you should at least be able to get in touch quickly. I would love to do that. But the plot simply hasn’t been allocated yet. My deadline for a response is already running out, but it seems the next person on the waiting list for the other plot still has a bit more time. So the neighbor won’t be confirmed by the time I have to commit 🙁
Horst Peter schrieb:
I would really like to. But the plot is simply not assigned yet. My deadline for the response is already running out, but the next person on the waiting list for the other plot seems to have a bit more time. So the neighbor won’t be finalized by the time I have to commit.Then take the weekend to decide whether you want the plot. The first builder determines the building height, and if necessary, the later neighbors will adapt to the building regulations accordingly.
Apart from the cold district heating, which I consider a major drawback, I don’t understand where you get the certainty that, after subdividing into 7 instead of 6 plots, your (still unknown, possibly problematic) neighbor will remain on the previously assumed side. Also, when I read "church" and "Volksbank," I imagine you might be comparing “apples and oranges”: Volksbank usually sells plots for purchase, whereas churches are known for their preference for leasehold agreements.
Good coordination with the shared-side neighbor is, in my opinion, absolutely CRUCIAL for building a semi-detached house that is not under a bad sign (see Goalkeeper thread). If you want to build deeper (what makes you fear that the neighbor might build shorter/smaller?), I don’t see a problem with a flat roof. A house width of about 6.5 meters (21 feet) should not worry you: standard models from the usual suspects are about 6 meters (20 feet) wide and 12.5 meters (41 feet) deep, with a 35° pitched roof and approximately 140 to 145 square meters (1,500 to 1,560 square feet) of living space; the recessed upper floor version is not significantly different. A current example discussed in the forum (though the thread concerns the insolvency of the general contractor) is in Ratingen (Felderhofquartier). There, these models appear in mixed “rows,” combining pitched-roof and recessed upper floor variants (Delight / Glow). Unfortunately, your extra half meter (about 1.5 feet) of width offers only limited options to expand the individual floor plan layout significantly, even if you are not formally bound by the house type proposals: look at the models from the usual suspects and you will quickly notice how similar they are — like the standard mineral water bottles from GDB. You won’t be able to avoid the long, one-flight, angled staircase even with that additional half meter of width. Where you do have more flexibility is in the more spacious entrance / restroom / wardrobe area; otherwise, the “family resemblance” of this house type will be hard to escape. These properties are clearly designed as “mid-terrace houses” (Yvonne prefers to call them “starter homes”) intended for young families with a holding period until their children reach puberty.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Good coordination with the shared-side neighbor is, in my opinion, absolutely CRUCIAL for building a semi-detached house that is not under a bad sign (see Goalkeeper thread). If you want to build deeper (what makes you fear that the neighbor might build shorter/smaller?), I don’t see a problem with a flat roof. A house width of about 6.5 meters (21 feet) should not worry you: standard models from the usual suspects are about 6 meters (20 feet) wide and 12.5 meters (41 feet) deep, with a 35° pitched roof and approximately 140 to 145 square meters (1,500 to 1,560 square feet) of living space; the recessed upper floor version is not significantly different. A current example discussed in the forum (though the thread concerns the insolvency of the general contractor) is in Ratingen (Felderhofquartier). There, these models appear in mixed “rows,” combining pitched-roof and recessed upper floor variants (Delight / Glow). Unfortunately, your extra half meter (about 1.5 feet) of width offers only limited options to expand the individual floor plan layout significantly, even if you are not formally bound by the house type proposals: look at the models from the usual suspects and you will quickly notice how similar they are — like the standard mineral water bottles from GDB. You won’t be able to avoid the long, one-flight, angled staircase even with that additional half meter of width. Where you do have more flexibility is in the more spacious entrance / restroom / wardrobe area; otherwise, the “family resemblance” of this house type will be hard to escape. These properties are clearly designed as “mid-terrace houses” (Yvonne prefers to call them “starter homes”) intended for young families with a holding period until their children reach puberty.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
On the long single-flight staircase with a turn 11ant schrieb:
6 meters wide (and 12.50 m deep (20 ft wide and 41 ft deep) We had exactly this size in our detached house, with a straight staircase (no turning), just like what is currently mainstream.
11ant schrieb:
These properties are clearly all "mid-terrace houses" (Yvonne prefers to call them "starter homes") for young families In my opinion, they are not necessarily that, but can very well be used as starter homes. If a third level is added, they become quite flexible – also adapting to life changes and personal phases, making them suitable and satisfactory for longer use.
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