Portfolio of your financing: folder for the bank

Banks receive financing requests for real estate on a daily basis. To ensure that your request goes through as quickly and smoothly as possible, you should make sure that your documents are in order. For this purpose, we recommend two folders that you can hand over to the bank.

Folder for the Bak:

1. Folder: Credit rating
2. Folder: Object

Object folder: summary of the data

We have listed everything you need for your object folder so that you are guaranteed not to forget anything.

General data: Exposé and photos of your object

First of all, there should be a synopsis or a fact sheet in your folder, on which all basic data of the object are noted. In addition, the bank should get a visual impression of your building or your apartment, whereby the submission of photos is very important.

What you need first:

• Real Estate Exposé/ Fact Sheet
• Photos of the apartment / building

More specifics: Parcel map, floor plans & insurance

In addition to the general facts about your dream property, you should have the site plan, the floor plan and the cadastral map ready. On the cadastral map you will find official key figures, which are defined in a limited accessible register (real estate cadastre). Furthermore, you need an excerpt from the land register , which determines the respective ownership and living conditions. Other important documents are the building insurance and the energy certificate. If you buy your property as an investment, you should include the lease agreement.

Other documents you will need are:

• Parcel map and site plan
• Floor plans
• Living space calculation
• Land register excerpt
• Building insurance
• Energy certificate
• Rental agreement

Condominium case: details of the entire property

When you buy a condominium, you are automatically part of a community of owners and therefore have to attach other plans to the entire property. This includes the declaration of division, which contains the agreements between all owners, as well as other plans of the building. In addition, the minutes of the last owners’ meetings are an important part.

Documents in the case of a condominium:

• Declaration of division – with certificate of seclusion
• Collection of resolutions – last 3 owners’ meetings
• WEG manager contract
• House service charge statement
• Property tax notice

Last document: The draft purchase agreement

Last but not least, the bank will be happy if you already have a draft of your purchase contract. If this exists, you add it as the last document in your real estate portfolio.

• Draft of the contract of sale

The next step: contract of sale of your apartment

Your dream property has been found! After a detailed assessment of the location, a commercial check and a technical check, you can now draw up the draft purchase contract for the notary appointment and to complete your bank documents. But what does such a purchase contract actually consist of? You can learn everything you need to know to draw up the purchase contract for your first own apartment here.

Single-family house: what are the features & characteristics?

What is a detached house? Of course, when you ask this question, you will immediately think of a terraced house or a semi-detached house. But this is not everything. A detached house can be much more than just standard. Especially if you are interested in self-building, you should look into the latest and most modern standards. In this article you will learn everything about this topic. Let’s start with the most important features of a detached house.

Are you looking for the right house? Then check out our guide! Here you will find definitions, meanings and lots of information: House types from A-Z

Features of a single family house

First things first. A family home is meant to be for a family and it should function accordingly. In most cases, you buy/build your first home when you already have a small family, or when you plan to start a family. And in most cases, you also grow old in it. The children have moved out at some point and you use the space differently. Accordingly, you should also plan a purchase or a construction and think future-oriented. You have a wide choice of detached houses and you have to find your perfect home. Whether semi-detached house, bungalow or city villa. You have the free choice.

Advantages & disadvantages of a single-family home: freedom, investment, garden & Co.

As with any type of home, there are many advantages but also some disadvantages that you should consider if you are planning to build, buy or rent a home. Think about what you consider important and what you would like to realize in your dream home. We have done some research for you and have picked out the most important advantages and disadvantages to help you with your decision.

Advantages: Freedom within your own four walls

Probably the biggest advantage of a single-family home is the freedom. Especially if you have previously lived in an apartment building or a flat, you will appreciate this advantage the most. You now have the opportunity to live in your own four walls and design everything as you see fit. Especially if you want to build your own house, you can decide from the beginning how you want the rooms and the design of the house to be. But even if you decide to buy, you can give free rein to your individuality and creativity. Another big advantage is the garden. Almost all detached houses have a garden and this is a plus point, especially with children, as they can always get some fresh air at any time.

• Freedom
• Your own four walls
• More individuality/ creativity
• Mostly a garden

Disadvantages: big investment with a lot of responsibility

One of the biggest disadvantages is probably the higher costs. Especially if you have lived in an apartment before, this is a big difference and you should be aware of the costs involved. The biggest investment will most likely be building or buying, but it doesn’t stop there. You have to pay more heating bills and especially you don’t have to disregard any repairs that come up. After all, you no longer have a landlord to take care of the problems that arise and you are now responsible for the financing yourself. So think about it in advance and calculate everything. Whether to buy or build a house should not be a decision to be taken lightly.

• Great investment
• Higher heating costs
• No landlord for repairs

Source: Single-family house (Lukinski.de)

Detached house perfect for…?

Who fits into this house? A single-family house is customizable and can be built in a wide variety of designs. Therefore, this type of home is for more than one person. If you’re just moving out of home, a student, or single, a single family home probably wouldn’t be for you. Simply because of the high cost of this investment and the utilities involved, this is hard to do on your own and you would probably have way too much space. We have picked out the perfect groups of people for you here, who would ideally fit into a detached house.

Families: your first home with child and dog

As the name of this type of house suggests, the detached house is perfect for a family. It doesn’t matter if you have a young family, your children are older or if you don’t have any children yet but family planning is on the horizon. The detached house makes all your dreams come true and you can live the way you always wanted to. The garden is also a great advantage. Your children can go out into the fresh air whenever they want and you don’t always have to be there. In addition, detached houses are usually located in housing estates or residential areas with play streets, so your children can play with the neighbours and still be in your field of vision.

Seniors: a house for a lifetime, with partner

A single-family house is also very suitable for seniors and retirees. It is often the case that you buy a house as a young family and live there for the rest of your life. Of course, at some point the children are gone, but then you would have the opportunity to redesign your rooms and set up according to your wishes. So you should make sure that you choose your first home with an eye to the future, as you may spend the rest of your life in this house.

Comparison of different building styles and sub-types of the single-family house

A single-family house is not just a single-family house. There are many different types and styles of this type of house, which all belong to the same type. We have compared three of these sub-types for you so that you can find the right family home for you.

Bungalow: One floor, no stairs

The bungalow is also a type of single-family house. Unlike the other types of houses, a bungalow has only one floor, which is inhabited. Usually this type of house has a larger plot, and an attic or basement, which serve as storage space. Due to the size of the property, a bungalow is usually more expensive than other types of houses. This is also due to the fact that this house is detached. If you would like to learn more about this type of house, take a look at the article on the subject of bungalows.

• Bungalow

Urban villa: luxury, space and comfort

The (city) villa is above all more spacious and offers more space. Especially the large grounds and the usually spacious garden are trademarks of a city villa. The house is detached and often designed in the style of a country house. The floor plan is larger than, for example, a semi-detached house and the rooms are also usually open and bright. Due to the size of this type of house, the (city) villa is more expensive and usually found in more upscale neighborhoods.

• Villa

Semi-detached house: neighbours, rent and space for children

A detached house as a semi-detached house is usually cheaper and more practical than, for example, a bungalow or a villa. In this sub-type, the property boundary and a wall are shared with the neighbour. This has the advantage that there is less heat loss and the heating costs are lower. So you share a property with another family, but you should still get along with the neighbors because otherwise it could be problematic.

• Semi-detached house

Land: the right choice, layout and characteristics

You have decided to build your own house and are now concerned with the question of where best to build? Then you should definitely think carefully and give it some thought. On the one hand you have to pay attention to the location of your future house, but also to the type of land. In order to find the perfect place for your future home, there are a few factors to consider. Here you will find the most important key points summarized for you.

Choice of location: City or country?

First of all, you should consider the location of your property. Do you want to live more centrally or rather outside? In the city or more rural? Then you should take a look at the infrastructure, which is located at your potential house. How far is it from your work? Where is the nearest school or supermarket? These are all important aspects to consider, but how are the public transport links? Do you have to walk a bit to get to the city centre by train or bus? Last but not least, you should also consider whether you would prefer to live in a residential area or in a new development. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, which you have to weigh up.

• Central or outside
• Infrastructure (work, school, supermarket)
• Public transport
• Residential area/ new development area

Checklist: Choice of the plot

There is also a lot to consider when choosing a plot of land. In addition to the perfect location, the condition of the land is particularly important. You should find out exactly about the history and quality of the land to avoid problems during construction. First of all, take a look at the development plan to find out if your plot is already developed. Afterwards you should have a look at the land register to find out about possible rights of way and to fix the mortgages between you and your credit institution. After that, we recommend that you carry out a ground investigation, which is especially important for the construction of a basement, and then you should exclude contaminated sites such as chemicals, oil or metal scrap.

If you want to learn more about the checklist for choosing the plot, you should visit our article of the house type bungalow. There you will find some useful and important information.

• Development plan
• Land Register
• Soil investigation
• Legacy

Building a single-family house: important aspects for new construction

In addition to the right plot of land, there are still some important aspects that should be considered when building a single-family home. This applies to a bungalow as well as to a villa and all other sub-types of a detached house. In order to keep the financial aspects in mind, we have summarized the most important points for you and described them as compactly as possible, so that you can plan everything ideally.

Service charges, loans & co.

In addition to the investment for the construction of a house, one should not lose sight of the additional costs. A real estate agent, notary costs or the land transfer tax are only some of the additional payments, which you should not disregard. You should take this into account.

In order to build a house you will almost always have to take out a building loan, as you cannot pay these costs exclusively from your own capital. You should therefore check with the credit institution you trust and consider whether you are able to pay it off in the long term.

Decide for yourself who should be your building partner. Do you want to design everything yourself, consult an architect or go for a prefabricated house? How much energy and time do you want to invest in the construction. You should also decide this in advance to save yourself stress.

Make sure that everything runs smoothly on your construction site and that no serious mistakes happen. For this reason, we recommend that you call in a construction expert who will take over the supervision of the construction site and thus relieve you.

Garage, carport or a cellar? These are also things you should decide beforehand. Do you need the storage space that a cellar offers and the parking facilities for your car? Think future-oriented and plan for these additional costs.

Checklist for your house construction

• Additional costs
• Building loan
• Prefabricated house / architect?
• Site supervision
• Garage/ Carport/ Cellar

Building a house vs. buying a house: the most important arguments

To build or to buy? That is the question here. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. When building a house you can decide from the beginning and realize your perfect room layout, when buying you have less work and it is usually cheaper. We have summarized the most important aspects for you here to simplify your decision.

Building a house: Advantages & disadvantages – Co-deciding right from the start

Advantages

• You have the opportunity to help decide everything about the house and room design during the construction of the house.
• Install the latest and most modern technology and equipment and bring everything up to date
• Where is the best connection and what is the environment like? You have the free choice for your location

Disadvantages

• Building a house is usually more expensive than building a home, especially since you want to include all of your desires
• Besides the financial investment, such a house construction is of course also associated with a lot of stress and work.
• You have to expect everything and include unforeseen costs. Something could always come up

House purchase: Advantages & disadvantages – uncomplicated and fast

Advantages

• Buying a house is usually cheaper than building a house because you don’t have any unexpected expenses
• The lack of work is also positive. You don’t have to worry about planning and can devote your energy to something else

Disadvantages

• Often when you buy a house, there is a need for renovation, which includes additional costs. Especially if you want to live environmentally friendly
• You also don’t have the possibility to design and coordinate your house and room layout according to your taste
• The location of the house is not always ideal. Maybe you have a longer way to work or to the supermarket.
• Since you can’t plan for yourself you are forced to compromise and live with a few flaws.

Inhabiting a semi-detached house: Neighbours, surroundings and more

A semi-detached house promises the optimum living comfort with the area of a house at a lower price. Sounds very appealing in itself, but any other option, this concept also comes with its own positive and negative factors, which we will discuss in more detail later. However, for now, we’d like to tell you a little more about what the living spaces of a semi-detached house might look like.

Tip! You’re planning to buy a house, but you don’t know much about financing, the process and so on? Then take a look at our article about buying a house! Here you will find facts and useful knowledge about buying a house.

Are you looking for the right house? Then check out our guide! Here you will find definitions, meanings and lots of information: House types from A-Z

Planning a semi-detached house: floor plan and room layout

Semi-detached houses are designed to be occupied by a household of several people. Accordingly, you can expect that this type of house often has three or more bedrooms. Furthermore, the houses are often stretched over several floors and for this reason equipped with multiple bathrooms.

Some semi-detached houses can even be divided into one floor for children, one for parents and live in, so you can give the little ones some responsibility and space.

Another great benefit of spacious homes is that they often come with garden space that is either shared or used separately by neighbors. However, when you have your own space, you can let your inner gardener out.

Advantages & disadvantages of a semi-detached house: garden, neighbours, price & co.

Choosing between two housing options can be difficult. Therefore, it is often useful to weigh the pros and cons to make the decision. How heavy you weigh the individual points, you can decide personally, to ultimately make the right choice for you.

Advantages: Living space and garden

Clearly, a semi-detached house offers more space than many other living options, but is it right for you? The answer is yes, if you value green, quiet living and can cope with rooms under the roof.

• Large living space
• Potential green area
• No upper and lower tenants

Disadvantages: Neighbors and location

You want to be in the middle of the action in the city? Then you probably won’t be happy with a semi-detached house, as these are often found in the suburbs or on the outskirts of the city. There are almost always exceptions to the rule, but if you want more choice, you’re not likely to find it here.

• Direct neighbours to the side
• Predominantly in suburbs
• If applicable, attic room

Source: Semi-detached house (Lukinski.de)

Semi-detached house for couples or singles? The living form is suitable for these groups

Another important factor in the decision is the living situation you find yourself in. A semi-detached house means a lot of space and living area. This can quickly become too big for one or two people, because the space not only needs to be used, but also maintained.

Couples: Plenty of space, garden, parking & co.

As a couple, a semi-detached house makes sense, especially if you plan to expand the family in the next few years. This option offers itself with a semi-detached house very much. The surroundings are mostly characterized by families anyway and so starting your own family is not too far-fetched.

Families: Enough space for children, dog and car

Couples who want to start a family are well accommodated in the residential environment. Accordingly, of course, new parents and also families that have existed for some time or have just reunited can find their perfect living happiness in a semi-detached house.

In comparison: semi-detached house, detached house, bungalow and co.

The agony of choice: No one likes to have them, but sometimes it’s just hard to get around them. That’s why the focus is on making them as easy as possible. That’s why we’ve put three different options facing the semi-detached house up against each other to make it easier to make the right choice.

Single-family house vs. semi-detached house

The showdown of the extra class. Both fighters have trained to use their personal specialties to their advantage. In one side of the ring, we have the family home. The time-honoured classic needs no further explanation. One house. One lot and thousands of building options. The single family home ensures privacy, through no wall contact by neighbors. However, depending on location, prices can be a bit higher here.

On the other side of the ring we see the semi-detached house. This offers particularly strong performance in the area of price, because a number of factors play into the tenants’ pockets here. On the one hand, the plot is shared and the space is used optimally. For another, you live with a full side wall of neighbors who also heat, making heating costs a bit more bearable.

But these neighbours can also be the Achilles’ heel of the semi-detached house, because if you don’t get along with them, your living happiness is quickly at stake.

Bungalow vs. semi-detached house

The residential form of bungalows was originally intended as a holiday home, however, many have discovered the charm of the small houses as an everyday solution for themselves. Bungalows often extend over one to one and a half floors of a small, detached residential house. This means the living space must be characterized by good room layout to create the feeling of a suitable home.

The semi-detached house, on the other hand, usually includes several full floors. So room layout is not a problem at all and can quickly determine a suitable room layout. However, as mentioned more often in this article, a semi-detached house always has direct wall neighbors, which may not always be entirely sociable.

Apartment vs. semi-detached house

This comparison is, in our opinion, the most difficult. Because problems are very similar between the two types of housing. Both offer a solid floor space, the apartment on one floor of a multi-storey building, the semi-detached house just in one half of the house. Instead of neighbors upstairs and downstairs, the neighbors are on the side, but on each floor.

The decision here can be made on the basis of the often better accessibility of bunkhouses, or the slightly greater privacy of semi-detached houses. However, an ultimate judgement must, as always, be made on a personal basis.

Checklist before buying: These points you should consider in any case

Buying a house and a semi-detached house are important steps in many people’s lives. We would therefore like to give you a few tips and tricks to make buying a house a little easier and more pleasant. In order not to pay too much for the apartment is of course on the one hand a broker advisable, on the other hand you can also do your own research to find out whether the object is actually worth the money.

• Age of the house
• Energy efficiency
• Property
• Location of the property
• Prices of surrounding properties
• Condition of the premises
• Drainage of water around the house
• Size
• Room layout

Noise insulation: avoid trouble with the neighbours

Again and again in the discussion is the background noise, which can organize on the one hand the neighbor, which one offers on the other hand however just as the neighbor. A simple solution to the problem can already offer simple noise insulation. There are professional solutions, as well as simple things that you can install yourself to create a little relief.

Insulate yourself

The DIY noise reduction variants mainly help to reduce the reverberation of a room. However, they can just as well be used to intercept the background noise from the other apartment.

There are several options with varying degrees of results. For one, tapestries and paintings are a way to simply absorb sound. You can also get simple soundproofing at the hardware store. Foam often comes in the form of foam, which is also known from music studios, for example. Although this is often found there in black, it is available in a wide variety of colors.

In addition, it is possible to build your own soundproofing panels out of towels, for example. There are tutorials on YouTube and other platforms such as Pinterest.

Speaking of Pinterest, if you’re looking for inspiration and tips on interiors, homes, apartments and more, check out the FIV Pinterest account. We’ll be looking for the best images and pins for you!

Insulation from a professional: prices and more

Interior walls are best insulated by the craftsman by building a second wall. Either different materials are then placed between the two walls for insulation. It may also be the case that the second wall with cavity already makes a significant difference in the background noise.

Depending on the effort that must be operated for the insulation, the costs of such a construction measure can, however, already find themselves in the four-digit range. However, it is best to seek the advice of a specialist.

Bungalow: What is it anyway – more than a holiday home?

Many people know the word bungalow from the context of holidays. But bungalows are not only popular holiday homes, but also a possible choice for your own home. A bungalow is one thing above all: practical – and modern. This type of house is especially popular with young families, as it combines all living spaces on one floor and, especially due to the absence of stairs, does not pose a danger to children or senior citizens. Choosing the right house is certainly not easy, because it is an important decision that may affect your whole life. Here you can find out everything you need to know about bungalows.

Tip! You want to buy, build or rent a house, but you still lack the necessary know-how? Then check out our article Real Estate Tips! Here we have collected videos from professionals and experts for you, who talk about taxes, financing & Co.

Special features of a bungalow: bright, open and friendly

The most important features of a bungalow are that it is detached and the entire living space is distributed on one floor. Most of the time, the house still has a developed basement or attic, but these are not normally used as living space, but rather as storage space or for heating. Traditionally, the bungalow has a flat roof. However, this is no longer the norm, as many bungalows now have a different roof shape. Other features include an open living space, floor-to-ceiling windows and large doors. The aim is to make the living area in particular appear as open and bright as possible.

Room layout: rooms and all on one floor

Since potential rooms in a bungalow are only distributed on one floor, there are not many possibilities to arrange them in a special way. However, most bungalows are divided into two sections. On the one hand the private area with the bedrooms or children’s rooms and the bathroom and on the other hand a living area, which includes the living room, kitchen and guest toilet. Of course you have the possibility to design your bungalow according to your wishes and requirements, but this division is the normal case. Most of the time you can see the classical distribution of the rooms directly when entering a bungalow. On one side is the open living space, on the other side is usually a hallway, which leads to the private rooms.

Advantages & disadvantages of a bungalow

As with any type of house, there are many advantages & disadvantages that you have to weigh up personally. Above all, the financial question plays a large and decisive role. Here it is first of all unimportant whether you would like to build yourself, buy a house or perhaps think about renting first. We have done some research for you and have compiled and written down the most important plus and minus points. Think about it and decide for yourself whether you can live with the disadvantages.

Advantages: no annoying steps and lots of light

One of the biggest advantages is above all the absence of the step and the accessibility. For children but also for seniors, this is not only very practical, but also reduces dangers. You also have mostly very large window fronts and access to the garden could be possible from every room. Your children would have the possibility to get fresh air at any time and you could also add a second terrace to some rooms. Especially for older children this would be ideal. If you decide to build a house, you would also have the possibility to take a prefabricated house. Since you don’t have to consider any load-bearing walls in a bungalow, you can design your individual room distribution.

• Barrier-free, no steps
• Large window fronts
• Access to the garden possible from every room
• Individual room distribution

Disadvantages: large property for a lot of money

Especially the cost factor of the land is a big disadvantage. Since you are not building in height, but in width, you are dependent on a larger plot of land, whereby you must not disregard the garden, garage or parking spaces. But you can learn more about that in the course of the article. Another minus point is that you have to rely on a larger hallway and it takes up square meters. In addition, due to the large roof and the many walls, more insulation is required, and especially in older bungalows, the thermal insulation is usually insufficient. You also have to take into account that due to the many window fronts, the entry possibilities for burglars are greater.

• Property very expensive due to large area
• More square meters through corridor
• More about insulation
• Older bungalows usually worse thermal insulation
• More entry points for burglars

Source: Bungalow (Lukinski.de)

Bungalow: Who can live here best?

A bungalow is certainly not for everyone. Especially for singles or single people, this type of house would be very large and you would have an unnecessary amount of space. We now present two groups that we think would fit perfectly into a bungalow.

Families: Paradise for children

Especially for families with children a bungalow would be ideal. As a parent, you have everything in view and under control, as all life in the house takes place on one floor. Also, the absence of stairs reduces common sources of danger for children and you do not always have to keep an eye on the fact that the stair gate is closed. Having access to the garden from all rooms can also be very handy.

Seniors: practical and barrier-free

A bungalow is also ideal for pensioners and seniors. In addition to the risk of falling on the stairs, the structure of the house also offers certain free spaces. It is also beneficial that you no longer have to lug heavy groceries up or down the stairs and get hurt. Since you also usually have a separate living area, you can convert old children’s rooms in the private area, for example. You could build a hobby room or a small library.

Bungalow as a prefabricated house: Is that possible?

You can also buy a bungalow as a prefabricated house. There are some providers who have this type of houses in their repertoire and some who specialize exclusively in the construction of single-storey houses. A prefabricated house offers several advantages. On the one hand, you have the opportunity to see your own home before it is built because of the show houses. On the other hand, this does not mean that you do not have the possibility of an individual design. You can also redesign finished houses according to your wishes and have them built differently. There are no limits to your creativity.

Proper planning is the most important thing

It all starts with initial ideas and planning. Think about your future house and look for suitable inspiration. You should write down important questions and look for answers to them. Here are a few examples. How big do I want my house to be? How many rooms do I need and how will they be used? What kind of construction do I prefer. More open or more private? Will I like the room layout in 10,20,30 years? These are basic aspects that you should clarify for yourself and keep in mind.

Perfect provider for your dreams

Once you have answered all your questions, you can start looking for a suitable provider. Not everyone will have your dream house with your requirements in their repertoire and some things will have to be modified. With the house type bungalow there will most likely be less choice. Nevertheless, you have a decisive advantage. Your house will not need load-bearing walls, which means you can move them as you wish and create your own personal room layout. Take a look at show houses and get advice. If your wishes are not covered, you will have to find another supplier.

Perfection down to the smallest detail: floor plan & co.

Once you’ve planned the layout of your home and it’s all right for you, you should worry about the little things. What kind of floor would you like, how should the walls be plastered or how should the bathroom look like? The show houses of the providers offer you inspiration, but in most cases they are interchangeable. Find what you like and plan down to the smallest detail according to your wishes.

Energy rules for homeowners, builders & Co.

The CO2 balance and the climate are increasingly important issues in today’s world. Every person is obliged to make his personal contribution to protect our environment. Also with houses there are some energy rules, which one must consider with the building in addition, with a reorganization of an old building. We have compiled the most important rules around your future bungalow to inform you perfectly.

Tip. Take a look at our article on energy efficient houses: Low-energy house, zero-energy house, passive house

Climate-friendly building and renovation

Bungalows in particular must be particularly well insulated due to their large surface area and detached nature. In order to do this in a climate-friendly way, there is the Energy Saving Ordinance from 2014, which states, among other things, that the thermal insulation of the building must be 15% more efficient than before. In addition, night storage units that are more than 30 years old must be replaced with more efficient units, as they are expensive and create a poor indoor climate in addition to a poor CO2 balance. The entire energy demand calculation is recorded in the energy certificate of your building.

Land: selection and characteristics of the right plot

To find the right plot, especially for a bungalow, you need to consider some factors and do not forget about them. One should not disregard the length and width of the building for this type of construction. It is true that living area is not the same as plot area. The condition of the plot and the historical background is also important for you. We recommend that you consult an expert, especially when it comes to building ground investigations or contaminated sites. How stupid would it be if you start building and find something unexpected? We have summarised the most important points for you here so that you don’t forget anything.

What size property do you need?

If you are planning to build a bungalow, you should first consider the right size of plot. Since you cannot build in height with this type of house, but only in width, your plot must be correspondingly large. What most people forget are green spaces, storage areas, a garage or, if desired, a driveway. These things take up the most space. So there is much more to a plot of land than just the house and that is why the price of land for a bungalow is comparatively high. So consider this in your planning and think about whether it fits into a budget.

Checklist: What do you need to look out for?

Before you buy your chosen property, there are a few things you should consider and have checked. First of all, start with the development plan. Here you should make sure that the property is already developed. That is, whether it is connected to the public road network, as well as to the supply (water, sewage, electricity, possibly gas). If this is not the case, high sums can be added.

Next, check rights of way or mortgages in the land register. Can a third party enter your property without your consent to get to something specific? And what about the mortgage? All this is recorded in the land register and you should definitely check and know about it.

Next, do a ground survey, if you haven’t already, and check out what it looks like under your property. Since your bungalow will only have one floor, a basement is very popular. However, if the groundwater level under your property is too high, this could increase your costs.

Contaminated sites are also an important issue before you plan to buy a property. Who knows what you will find when you start building your house? There could be scrap metal, oil or chemicals under the surface. It’s best to talk to the previous owners of the property or find out about the history of the property. Old maps could help with this. If there are signs of possible contamination, we recommend that you have soil samples analysed, but this could be expensive if you have to pay for it yourself.

• Development plan
• Land Register
• Soil investigation
• Legacy

Your environment: how do you feel?

Last but not least, don’t forget about your surroundings. Talk to your potential neighbors, check the infrastructure and scout out your surroundings. Where is the nearest school? How far is it to work? Are the neighbours nice and is the area suitable for your needs? These are all soft location factors that you should consider. Especially if you are young and want to build something new with your family, you should feel comfortable in your new home.

Interior: What should your bungalow look like from the inside?

If you have decided on your dream house or if your bungalow is ready, you now have the opportunity to furnish it according to your wishes. Here we show you a few useful tips and tricks to design your dream home and give you the perfect inspiration.

Tip. You can discover all trendy interior styles in our comprehensive guide and gather inspiration: Interior Styles XXL

Use your free space: space, light & no stairs

Especially the living space in the bungalows is mostly open and freely designed. Use this fact and make it to your advantage. Since you will have a lot of daylight through the large window fronts, you can design your room a little more gaudy. Let yourself be inspired by fancy furniture or paint a wall in a modern, bright colour, for example. There’s no limit to your creativity. Get interior input from Roberto Cavalli Home or Armani Casa, for example: Furnishings – Designers & Brands.

What is a granny flat and what are typical features?

According to the legal text of the 11 paragraphs of the Housing Act, a granny flat is considered to be an additional flat in a single-family house. The decisive characteristic of a granny flat is that the flat does not have separate access from the outside. The granny flat can only be accessed through the front door or the staircase of the flat. In contrast to the main apartment, the granny flat is of secondary importance. The apartment is usually located in the basement or in the attic.

In principle, the rule applies here that running one’s own household must also be possible in a granny flat in a completely autonomous way. If this were not the case, this would only be a pure room rental. If the apartment is also locked from the outside and has its own entrance, it is again a two-family house.

The rental contract will state whether you will receive a furnished or unfurnished apartment. The costs for a furnished apartment can be reflected in the rent in the form of a one-off payment or as an additional monthly payment. Domestic duties such as participation in garden maintenance or winter service must be stated in the contract.

The Einlieger has its origin as a dwelling for unskilled workers on a farm.

Are you looking for the right apartment? Here you’ll find definitions, meanings and lots of information on penthouses, granny flats, apartments & co.: Apartment types from A-Z

Room layout: Separate kitchen & bath – with one or two rooms

The prerequisite for a granny flat is that it is possible to run a household independently. You must therefore be provided with a kitchenette for independent provisioning and a separate bathroom.

The number of rooms in a granny flat, on the other hand, is flexible: while in some granny flats the bedroom and living area share one room, there are also granny flats with several rooms and a higher number of square metres. However, the minimum size must be 25 square meters. The garden or terrace of the house can be shared depending on the arrangement.

You want more impressions on the topic of apartment types and apartments? Then take a look at our Pinterest account! Here you can also find our pinboard on the subject of granny flats and much more.

Pros & Cons: Pros and cons of a granny flat

Living in or owning a granny flat weighs up both various advantages and disadvantages. Living with another household may be seen as an advantage or disadvantage depending on the person and their living situation. You can use the following criteria to decide whether a granny flat would be the right option for you.

Advantages: Ideal solution for families and good investment for the future

With a granny flat there are two perspectives of benefits, one is the landlord’s perspective and the other is the tenant’s perspective. Homeowners can turn their unused space in the house into cash, whereas apartment hunters can find a cheap apartment. Just in the age results here a 2nd pension and the flatmates provide for more life in the house and can be helpful also with everyday work like the purchase. This variant of living together is therefore particularly popular with families: The children can stay in the parental home, but also have enough privacy later and can take care of the parents.

You can earn an even higher income by renting out the rest of the house instead of the granny flat and living in the granny flat yourself instead. Finally, if you ever consider selling your home, the additional living space will further increase the value of the house.

Costs incurred in the construction of the granny annexe can be deducted from the tax, but only if they can be clearly allocated to the granny annexe, such as the installation of a kitchen.

If certain conditions are met, the granny flat can also reduce the tax burden, but in this case the rental income must also be taxed.

• Lower rent for the tenant
• Only consideration for a neighbor
• Mostly shared use of garden
• Often already furnished
• Social contact
• Additional income for the landlord
• House has higher value when sold
• Ideal for several generations living together
• Invoice may be tax deductible if applicable

Disadvantages: Loss of privacy and intimacy.

Many people associate a granny flat with a disturbance of their own privacy due to another person crossing their own four walls. For many tenants, a granny flat may therefore not seem as attractive as a normal attic flat.

The extended notice period can be problematic for the landlord if there are problems with the tenants and especially if there are delays in payment.

• Limited privacy on both sides
• Extended notice period (possibly problematic for the landlord)
• If necessary smaller than normal apartment
• Participation in garden maintenance and winter service
• Good relationship with the other party is important

Source: Granny flat (Lukinski.de)

For whom is a granny flat suitable? Students, families and singles

A house with granny annexe is attractive for many people. This variant of the house with apartment is most popular for families. Several generations can live here together under one roof, but have enough privacy through a separation within the house.

This housing solution is particularly attractive, but also for professionals such as caregivers or au pairs who work in a private household. For whom granny flat, due to the low price are still suitable, you will learn in the following paragraphs.

Singles: Live cheaply and collect social contacts

Especially for singles who are not bothered or deterred by living with another household, this apartment is a good solution. Working young adults thus benefit not only from cheaper rent, but also from the social contact and less loneliness.

Students: Study and live cheaply in the basement or attic

For students for whom a room in a shared flat or a student hall of residence is out of the question, but who can’t afford their own apartment, the granny flat offers a good intermediate solution. The separate apartment in the basement or attic offers you enough peace and space to study.

Seniors: Living together with the family with their own privacy

Several generations of a family under one roof – a house with a granny flat is the perfect solution here. Adult children or grandfather and/or grandmother can move into the apartment and still keep some privacy for themselves.

Buy or rent? This is what you should consider!

Garden maintenance, participation in winter services, use of other household items such as the washing machine – these are points that you should definitely clarify and consider before moving into your new apartment – before misunderstandings or even unpleasant surprises arise in the end.

Likewise, tenants should note that the operating costs incurred are only charged proportionally to the living space. Alternatively, a separate water meter as well as gas and electricity meters can be used here. Additional costs that may arise if you take over the apartment furnished, you should also keep in mind. You should also take into account shared costs that may arise if, for example, repairs are necessary by craftsmen.

If you do consider buying a granny flat, be sure to look in a new development. Many builders who need money to finance their own house turn their basement into a granny flat and sell it. Unlike a regular home of your own, the purchase price of a granny flat tends to be low. This is especially suitable as a good investment for life in old age.

• Arrangement of participation in garden maintenance & winter service, joint use of other premises/household appliances
• Allocation of operating costs
• Buy: Location in a new development area
• Good investment for life in old age

Tip. Please also read our article on the subject of buying an apartment with even more tips & tricks: Buying an apartment

Furnishing: Homeware, colours and furniture for your next home

In most cases, granny flats are basement flats or attic flats. But what is the best and most attractive way to furnish such a granny flat? Since these apartments are usually rather small in terms of space, it is important to ensure that the room appears as bright and flooded with light as possible.

Light wall colours are a good start here; soft colours such as white, cream, sky blue or violet make your living space appear visually larger. You should also choose light and friendly shades for the floor and furniture. Instead of thick, heavy curtains, we recommend pleated blinds. Decorative, light, stylish and an ideal privacy screen.

Your granny flat is not yet furnished and you are still looking for beautiful furniture? In our Interior Guide you will find the top interior brands of this world such as Dior Maison, Fendi Casa or Moooi. Also for the inhabitants of furnished apartments you can find great homeware and decor, which will turn your apartment into your personal feel-good paradise.

Another tip: We have written a guide with tips and tricks on trendy styles for your interior! Read more here: Furnishing styles XXL