Hello everyone,
We are both in our early 50s, originally from Hamburg, currently working and living in Berlin. After some discussion, we have decided to move forward with our ‘retirement home’ project, meaning: to build a house. It’s great that this forum exists, as we have already found answers to some of our questions here.
Here are our first steps so far; we would appreciate your feedback!
1. Define house type: We have done this. We want to build a timber-frame house for living, working, and aging in place—KfW 40 or passive house standard, ideally a Swedish-style house, 1.5 stories, with a partial basement, approximately 140 sqm (1,500 sq ft), accessible (barrier-free), double garage, and a small garden around it.
2. Clarify financing: We still need to have a meeting with an independent mortgage advisor. In principle, financing is not an issue since we are both employed and have well-funded savings accounts.
3. Search for land: We have started this. We narrowed down the area—between Trittau, Ratzeburg, Schaalsee, and the A24 motorway—and have identified several plots. We still need advice regarding size, macro-location, micro-location, etc. We plan to use the house mainly on weekends during the first few years, but it is not intended as a vacation home. Finding the right plot remains our biggest challenge at the moment.
4. Find construction supervision: Although we will probably build a turnkey prefabricated house, we want to have the construction monitored by an independent building supervisor or architect. Arranging a consultation with such a professional is our next step.
So, these are our first steps into this adventure. What do you think? Can anyone recommend an independent mortgage advisor or construction supervisor?
Thank you!
T and M
We are both in our early 50s, originally from Hamburg, currently working and living in Berlin. After some discussion, we have decided to move forward with our ‘retirement home’ project, meaning: to build a house. It’s great that this forum exists, as we have already found answers to some of our questions here.
Here are our first steps so far; we would appreciate your feedback!
1. Define house type: We have done this. We want to build a timber-frame house for living, working, and aging in place—KfW 40 or passive house standard, ideally a Swedish-style house, 1.5 stories, with a partial basement, approximately 140 sqm (1,500 sq ft), accessible (barrier-free), double garage, and a small garden around it.
2. Clarify financing: We still need to have a meeting with an independent mortgage advisor. In principle, financing is not an issue since we are both employed and have well-funded savings accounts.
3. Search for land: We have started this. We narrowed down the area—between Trittau, Ratzeburg, Schaalsee, and the A24 motorway—and have identified several plots. We still need advice regarding size, macro-location, micro-location, etc. We plan to use the house mainly on weekends during the first few years, but it is not intended as a vacation home. Finding the right plot remains our biggest challenge at the moment.
4. Find construction supervision: Although we will probably build a turnkey prefabricated house, we want to have the construction monitored by an independent building supervisor or architect. Arranging a consultation with such a professional is our next step.
So, these are our first steps into this adventure. What do you think? Can anyone recommend an independent mortgage advisor or construction supervisor?
Thank you!
T and M