ᐅ Is the real estate market increasingly forcing families to build their own homes?
Created on: 6 Apr 2019 11:35
T
Thierse
Actually, we would prefer to avoid building. Unfortunately, existing properties within a 20 km (12 miles) radius have become quite expensive, and affordable rental houses with small gardens are simply scarce.
Until now, we have been living in an old rental apartment without a garden. We would like to change that, but there is a lack of options. The listings on various platforms are overcrowded with families looking for affordable housing.
Who is familiar with this situation, and how do you deal with it?
Until now, we have been living in an old rental apartment without a garden. We would like to change that, but there is a lack of options. The listings on various platforms are overcrowded with families looking for affordable housing.
Who is familiar with this situation, and how do you deal with it?
Try googling the keywords "sunlight Institute Karlsruhe household course." Then take a look at the PDF. It’s a "household course" from 1915 – and I think it teaches humility! The amount of work involved in running a household back then was really enormous. Starting from page 45 in the PDF, it talks about building a house. The recommendation was to first build a temporary dwelling and then add on later. Tiny rooms, but at least something of your own.
Well, tiny rooms are no longer necessary today, but people’s expectations in everyday life are generally much higher now. Vacations? Yes, at least one big trip per year. Cars? Preferably new. Clothing? Yes, brand names matter. It’s the same with housebuilding. Back then, in-laws built the house themselves along with friends. The house remained unplastered for two years, without an entrance area, and the interior staircase took a long time to complete. They moved in with an old sofa and the kids’ beds. The kitchen was a gift from the parents at move-in; otherwise, that would have taken longer too. Bathroom tiles were given as a wedding present. Landscaping the garden took many years; whenever money was saved, it was invested back into the house. Vacations happened, but no flights – only hiking and skiing trips in the surrounding region.
Today, that’s almost unthinkable. How many people move into a house without furniture? Many also discard their old furniture to redecorate. It costs a lot of money. Yes, and the driveway has to be paved immediately. The garden must be landscaped, or what will the neighbors think? Saving money is hardly possible then. You need a vacation to unwind from the stress of overtime… The car can’t be left outside either. Not to mention the house’s fixtures – after all, you only build once. And the extra few dollars for nicer tiles are quickly forgotten. Ceramic? Yes, the XYZ line is so stylish, let’s treat ourselves. Hardwood flooring? You have to choose good quality. Windows? Well, we never liked the white PVC windows in the rental apartment; they just look cheap… and so on. Meanwhile, the bank account keeps shrinking – unfortunately in the wrong direction.
Well, tiny rooms are no longer necessary today, but people’s expectations in everyday life are generally much higher now. Vacations? Yes, at least one big trip per year. Cars? Preferably new. Clothing? Yes, brand names matter. It’s the same with housebuilding. Back then, in-laws built the house themselves along with friends. The house remained unplastered for two years, without an entrance area, and the interior staircase took a long time to complete. They moved in with an old sofa and the kids’ beds. The kitchen was a gift from the parents at move-in; otherwise, that would have taken longer too. Bathroom tiles were given as a wedding present. Landscaping the garden took many years; whenever money was saved, it was invested back into the house. Vacations happened, but no flights – only hiking and skiing trips in the surrounding region.
Today, that’s almost unthinkable. How many people move into a house without furniture? Many also discard their old furniture to redecorate. It costs a lot of money. Yes, and the driveway has to be paved immediately. The garden must be landscaped, or what will the neighbors think? Saving money is hardly possible then. You need a vacation to unwind from the stress of overtime… The car can’t be left outside either. Not to mention the house’s fixtures – after all, you only build once. And the extra few dollars for nicer tiles are quickly forgotten. Ceramic? Yes, the XYZ line is so stylish, let’s treat ourselves. Hardwood flooring? You have to choose good quality. Windows? Well, we never liked the white PVC windows in the rental apartment; they just look cheap… and so on. Meanwhile, the bank account keeps shrinking – unfortunately in the wrong direction.
Somehow, I can’t confirm these impressions when I look at my own situation... It was only after joining this forum that I started to feel the same and wondered if I should feel bad because we are "only" using white uPVC windows and mostly laminate flooring, plan to keep our existing furniture, and will gradually improve the outdoor area, and so on... I have decided to focus on being happy that we are building a house and can design it according to our style preferences, even if it is "just" a Flair model.
You are right. This forum does not reflect real-life experience. It is also somewhat of a showcase for self-presentation. Reality is simpler: Ikea sells more kitchens than Schüllermann and Co., the Flair 125 sells better than Viebrockhaus KfW 40+ mansions, there are more white plastic front doors than gray aluminum portals, etc. K.
I also believe that building can be done much more affordably than is often suggested here. I built as a single person. The plot of land was already owned, and the house (located in the triangle between Munich, Augsburg, and Ingolstadt — a rather expensive area) cost just under €250,000 for a little over 150 m2 (1,615 sq ft). I love it, but I deliberately chose not to include many things that are considered standard here. I have no ventilation system because I can’t tolerate dry air even at friends’ houses. I use underfloor heating with an air-source heat pump, no smart home system, white PVC windows, laminate flooring, leftover tiles from a tile supplier in the bathrooms, small-format tiles in the main bathroom, inexpensive tiles from OBI for the utility room. The shutters upstairs are operated manually, and in the kitchen, I only have spotlights above the countertop; elsewhere, there are classic lamps. Some rooms still look somewhat empty after a year (carpets or pictures on the walls are missing, I don’t have a proper wardrobe yet, and my old bedroom furniture doesn’t fit quite right), but there’s no rush; you can take your time to add things as you save. Despite these apparent “shortcomings,” I love my house and am glad I didn’t pay the huge sums that often get thrown around here. So, I don’t think people are forced to take out huge loans; rather, it’s clear you can build much more modestly.
H
hampshire14 Apr 2019 11:36@Fummelbrett: Your comments on expectations really hit many points accurately. Touché! We lose the habit of questioning our expectations and end up giving too much importance to many things.
You have every reason to feel very good! Building a house is quite easy if you have a flexible budget. Setting the right priorities and building smart and economical is much more demanding. Besides, we are the ones who define how we feel in life. I’d rather be happy under a bridge than unhappy in a palace.
Much of what’s discussed here revolves around dreams and their realization. I benefit from exchanging ideas and share my own. That is the reality of the forum. I find the non-standard solutions especially interesting, as they don’t necessarily cost more than the standard ones. The best decisions come from knowing the alternatives. If, after considering the options, one often chooses the proven and recognized best value, that’s great. It’s only a shame when people afterward wonder: “If I had known something like that existed, then I would have…” From this perspective, I appreciate the many exceptions presented in this forum.
Yosan schrieb:
... wondered if I should feel bad that we are choosing "only" white PVC windows and mostly laminate flooring, plan to take our furniture with us, will improve the outdoor area gradually, and so on...
You have every reason to feel very good! Building a house is quite easy if you have a flexible budget. Setting the right priorities and building smart and economical is much more demanding. Besides, we are the ones who define how we feel in life. I’d rather be happy under a bridge than unhappy in a palace.
Nordlys schrieb:
You are right. This forum isn’t lived reality…
Much of what’s discussed here revolves around dreams and their realization. I benefit from exchanging ideas and share my own. That is the reality of the forum. I find the non-standard solutions especially interesting, as they don’t necessarily cost more than the standard ones. The best decisions come from knowing the alternatives. If, after considering the options, one often chooses the proven and recognized best value, that’s great. It’s only a shame when people afterward wonder: “If I had known something like that existed, then I would have…” From this perspective, I appreciate the many exceptions presented in this forum.
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