ᐅ Buy an 80 sqm mid-terrace house

Hello,

a few words about our background:

There are two of us at the moment, but we are planning to have 1–2 children in the next few years. We live in Munich and would like to buy our own home. Our budget is 550,000 euros. Good access to the subway/metro is very important to us.

Over the past few months, we have been mainly looking at 4-room apartments and townhouses. If we buy an apartment, the plan is to possibly exchange it for a house in a few years, or buy a house and rent out the apartment.

A corner townhouse in the city area of Munich is not an option with this budget.

Now we have received an initially very attractive offer for a 10-year-old mid-terrace townhouse with a small garden. The price is well below our budget, the location is excellent, the house is in very good condition and has high-quality features. There is only one point that makes us a bit uncertain: The house has only about 80 square meters (860 square feet) of living space spread over 3 floors plus a basement.

Question: Do you have experience with such small terraced houses? What is it like to live in one? Are there any points we should consider?

For this property, the idea would also be to live there ourselves for a few years and possibly later exchange it for something larger or buy something bigger and rent out this property.

I would be very grateful for your advice.

Best regards,
Sebastian

We currently live as a family of four in 70 square meters (750 square feet)... far too small. If you really have two children, you won't be happy living there.

No personal experience, but have you done a house viewing? Statistically, you have about 26 sqm (280 sq ft) per floor. The house will probably have small rooms, and you’ll likely have to go up and down the stairs constantly, that’s my assumption. For now, you’re two people, and based on your plans, you would probably start looking for something bigger with a second child, so I think 80 sqm (860 sq ft) is sufficient.

I’m not familiar with the Munich market and how easy it is to sell or rent out an 80 sqm (860 sq ft) house there. With a condominium, you’re probably in a better position to resell or rent it out. The house has the appeal that you’re well below your budget.

Is it realistic that an apartment will come onto the market soon that you would be willing to buy? Years of searching are not an option given your plans.

Some friends of mine live with 4 people in 80m² (860 sq ft). Even with 3 floors plus a basement of about 20m² (215 sq ft), they are satisfied. At my parents-in-law’s place, the living room alone is already 80m² (860 sq ft) without an open kitchen. The only way to know is to see it for yourself. What is spacious enough for one person may be far too small for another.

ALG2: Appropriate Living Space means, for example, a rental apartment up to 95 sqm (1023 sq ft) for a family of four and up to 120 sqm (1292 sq ft) for an owner-occupied apartment.

In general, I agree with you on the individual needs – but only up to a certain limit. Beyond that, it becomes stressful and affects family life.

My girlfriend and I live in an 80sqm (860 sq ft) space. It includes a living room, kitchen with dining area, bedroom, bathroom, toilet, and a small office. But everything is on one floor. I didn’t want it any smaller, rather a bit bigger, and it’s just the two of us.