Finding the right house: 6 key points

In times of rising rents, owning your own home is a central way to provide for your later years. Anyone looking to buy should keep a few key points in mind, so that the property still suits their needs many years down the line.

1. The right size

Larger houses cost more not only to buy, but also to maintain. Singles or couples often manage perfectly well with smaller properties; if children are planned, a separate room should be allowed for each child. A multi-generational home can be cleverly designed so that it can later be converted into a two-family house without major effort — with the second apartment let out. When considering the plot, think about a vegetable garden, additional garages or a play area.

2. Town, country, riverside: the location

Medium-sized to large cities are more expensive, but offer good infrastructure and convenient access to kindergartens, schools and clubs. The countryside is quiet and close to nature, but calls for chauffeuring duties and longer commutes. Special settings on a river, lake or mountainside offer attractive views, yet carry risks such as flooding.

3. Your own budget

The budget is made up of your own funds and borrowed capital. At least 20 percent — better still 30 percent — of the cost should come from your own resources. As a rule of thumb, the total cost should not exceed five times your gross annual income.

4. Style — a matter of taste

When it comes to design, personal preferences can be given free rein — within the limits of building regulations (such as requirements for roof shapes, colours or heritage conservation). There is room to manoeuvre with the façade colour, the shape of the roof and windows, bay windows and balconies.

5. House styles compared

• Detached single-family house: large garden, few restrictions, but higher energy and insurance costs
• Semi-detached house: lower costs, a decent garden, but an immediate neighbour
• Terraced house: the lowest costs, but limited scope for conversion and a smaller garden

Beyond these there are the town villa, the modern half-timbered house, the senior-friendly bungalow, the log house, and the cube or mono-pitch roof house.

6. Future investments

An existing house requires lower initial investment, but offers little influence over style and floor plan. Renovations also fall due sooner: with a house that is ten years old, the roof or heating system will be ready for refurbishment ten years earlier than in a new build. Anyone planning for the long term can undertake larger conversions with a clear conscience. We would be glad to support you in your search for the right property.