Hello,
I am a single man, 45 years old, currently considering building a house again. I have three teenage children who often stay with me, although they officially live with my ex-wife. When the marriage broke down, I bought the next best house within cycling distance (in a great suburban location of a major city, built in 1995, well equipped). The house is intended to be sold if necessary, is free of liabilities, and my financial situation is comfortable partly because of this. With about 280 square meters (3000 square feet) of living space and just over 1000 square meters (0.25 acres) of property, however, it is far too large for someone living alone and requires a lot of maintenance. Maintenance means time, and I would rather spend that time on my children, traveling, and my job. I have been interested for some time in Bauhaus-style houses (more precisely: what is currently considered Bauhaus style, basically a cube-shaped design), around 140–160 square meters (1500–1700 square feet) of living space, no basement, and a plot of 500–600 square meters (0.12–0.15 acres).
Through networking, I might have the opportunity to acquire a suitable plot in the coming months.
Has anyone had similar experiences? How did you approach building your house? Did you build just for yourselves, or did you rather opt for a “family house” even if you were moving in alone? Did you ultimately decide against a detached house and choose a condominium instead?
Thanks!
I am a single man, 45 years old, currently considering building a house again. I have three teenage children who often stay with me, although they officially live with my ex-wife. When the marriage broke down, I bought the next best house within cycling distance (in a great suburban location of a major city, built in 1995, well equipped). The house is intended to be sold if necessary, is free of liabilities, and my financial situation is comfortable partly because of this. With about 280 square meters (3000 square feet) of living space and just over 1000 square meters (0.25 acres) of property, however, it is far too large for someone living alone and requires a lot of maintenance. Maintenance means time, and I would rather spend that time on my children, traveling, and my job. I have been interested for some time in Bauhaus-style houses (more precisely: what is currently considered Bauhaus style, basically a cube-shaped design), around 140–160 square meters (1500–1700 square feet) of living space, no basement, and a plot of 500–600 square meters (0.12–0.15 acres).
Through networking, I might have the opportunity to acquire a suitable plot in the coming months.
Has anyone had similar experiences? How did you approach building your house? Did you build just for yourselves, or did you rather opt for a “family house” even if you were moving in alone? Did you ultimately decide against a detached house and choose a condominium instead?
Thanks!
kati1337 schrieb:
That's true, we once had a similar experience in a neighboring apartment – which is partly why I have such an aversion to noise disturbances and neighbors playing music.
There was a neighbor who got her education from tabloids and worked "mostly at night with a reddish lamp in the window." She played loud music day and night, and when we tried to talk to her, she would either answer with "so what?" or "I can’t help that you work during the day."
I don’t know how many times I called the police to her door. After that, there would be quiet for about 15 minutes, then it got loud again. I think at some point the police even confiscated her sound system, but apparently she managed to get another one.
We also complained to the landlord about the situation – he told us he had been trying to evict her for over six months because she didn’t pay rent either. But every time right before the eviction order, she paid a PARTIAL amount of the owed rent – and just like that, the eviction order was canceled. 🤨 That’s why I’m not interested in renting out property. I prefer to hold a small share in real estate corporations, but for "direct renting," I don’t want to waste my time.
mrnoname schrieb:
That’s the reason why I’m not interested in renting out properties. I’m fine with holding small shares in real estate companies, but for direct renting, it’s not worth my time.Renting? Where was that option? I must have missed it.For me, it’s specifically about a fairly realistic option on 640sqm (approximately 6,875 sq ft).
That’s not an option. There were some comments in earlier posts referring to “new build with a separate condominium unit” (later for care or rental) or renovation of the current house. Maybe I misunderstood that 😉
There have already been many good suggestions in this thread, ranging from “build your dream house if you can” to “building alone? I wouldn’t want to do that anymore.”
It really makes you think. Either way, I will take care of the plot of land first; that will take two to three months, and then we’ll see what happens next.
ypg schrieb:
Rental? Where was that option? I must have missed that.
That’s not an option. There were some comments in earlier posts referring to “new build with a separate condominium unit” (later for care or rental) or renovation of the current house. Maybe I misunderstood that 😉
There have already been many good suggestions in this thread, ranging from “build your dream house if you can” to “building alone? I wouldn’t want to do that anymore.”
It really makes you think. Either way, I will take care of the plot of land first; that will take two to three months, and then we’ll see what happens next.
Schimi1791 schrieb:
I do think you need to be financially prepared to own several (personal) houses over a lifetime... Of course, a construction project is not feasible with unemployment benefits (ALG II), but I believe that is clear to everyone. Otherwise, no property sale has resulted in a loss so far, which on the contrary effectively allows more time to save for the final property, while already living in your own home in the meantime. It has worked relatively smoothly up to now, and I definitely do not consider myself part of the "middle class" as defined by Mr. Merz. 😉 But as I mentioned before, you need to adapt this approach to your personal preferences.Edit: I have never owned more than one finished house at the same time.
mrnoname schrieb:
There were some posts mentioning "new construction with a separate condominium unit" (later for care or rental) or renovation of the current house. Maybe I misunderstood that 😉 Oh, I think you misunderstood. It was about an independent area that could be for the children. Later for care would be more like personal use.
H
hampshire1 Jun 2021 22:34When it comes to concerns about protection against termination:
Requesting the property for personal use takes time – if care suddenly becomes necessary, this can take too long.
- furnished rental
- fixed-term contracts
Requesting the property for personal use takes time – if care suddenly becomes necessary, this can take too long.
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