No, every era has or had its challenges. Knowing all the factors that make a sale easier and more secure is still helpful today.

How young people can afford to buy property
It is obvious that gifts of money from grandma and savings painstakingly scraped together from pocket money are not enough to finance a property. Young people looking to build wealth therefore need one thing above all else: a little patience. This pays off, as banks only offer good terms for financing a property if you can contribute 20 to 30 percent of the purchase price yourself.
Saving – when to start?
The question of when young people with real estate aspirations should start saving is easy to answer: as early as possible. If you want to invest in your own home in your mid-30s, you should start putting something aside every month about ten years beforehand. Let's assume you want a 60-square-meter apartment in Berlin, which currently costs around 237,840 euros (as of summer 2024). Plus 10 percent additional costs. This means that around €52,300 is needed for the recommended equity of at least 20 percent. Adding a net interest rate of two percent, around €445 per month needs to go into the piggy bank.
Building up equity capital – how does it work?
But not everyone can afford to deduct such a sum from their salary every month. However, this should not deter you, as even smaller contributions are worthwhile in the long term. If you are lucky, you may benefit from gifts or an early inheritance. ETF savings plans are also a good way to build up equity. It is best to consult an independent financial advisor who can answer all your questions. We would be happy to refer you to an expert in your area.
Building society savings or instant access savings account – where to put your money?
Regardless of where the money comes from, the question remains: how to save it? Building society savings agreements are only suitable to a limited extent for building up equity. Interest on credit balances is virtually non-existent, meaning that losses are more likely to occur during the savings phase. Currently, it is more worthwhile to opt for call money and fixed-term deposits. A financial expert can also advise you on this.
If you already have enough equity to buy, you should finance the rest of the purchase price with a traditional mortgage loan. Take a look at the effective annual interest rate, which shows the actual cost of the loan.
Returns through capital investment – is it worth it?
Young people who are thinking of buying and then renting out property can benefit from rising rents. These mean higher returns for capital investors. Since you are not buying for your own use, but for the return on investment, you should focus on purchasing apartments that are easy to rent in urban areas.
Are you looking for a property to buy for yourself or as an investment and have questions about financing? Contact us! We are happy to help.
Note
For reasons of better readability, the generic masculine form is used in this text. Female and other gender identities are expressly included insofar as this is necessary for the statement.
Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific case.
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