The price for small houses (often in terrible condition) around Berlin hovers in the range of 700-1000 T€, so if you don't have a lot of capital it can be hard. Banks like to charge freelancers a premium on the interest rate (as they can supposedly lose their income anytime, which often is just an excuse to extract more money from them...) or outright refuse to give them a loan unless they can provide a guarantee (e.g. an existing house to take as collateral), so definitely not easy.
But things might finally turn around a bit with the interest rate hike and looming recession, if you have some capital you might be able to grab some good real estate soon, at least if you don't have to be square in the center of Berlin (which will definitely stay expensive).
Totally with you regarding all points you made. I believe in a horrible recession not only in Germany but also Europe lasting for longer than just 2 or 3 years. I also do believe, that the totally overheated housing market will crash very badly, which might open up interesting opportunities, once it happened. Still, all the other problems remained. However, thanks for your thoughts.
Personally, I don't think housing prices will collapse unless there are mass bankruptcies (like 2008/9 in the US). Inflation is going to eat some of the housing prices gains, but people will just not put their house on the market for lower prices unless they have to.
I don't think many people will sell when their real estate agent tells them that they're house is now worth 200k less than last year (or the neighbor's house that just sold), they'll just keep paying the mortgage and wait for the market to improve.
I'm with you with a big European recession. But I'm not sure about a big enough crash of the housing market, I think they will do whatever to keep the price up
wow, 700K ... that is totally insane if that is actually true. years ago i visited the pankow area and it was dirt cheap. this was maybe around 2009 or so. so that is only a good 10 years ago.
But things might finally turn around a bit with the interest rate hike and looming recession, if you have some capital you might be able to grab some good real estate soon, at least if you don't have to be square in the center of Berlin (which will definitely stay expensive).