Germany's Young Adults Confront Growing Barriers to Home Ownership

A YouGov survey commissioned by Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall shows that 64 % of Germans aged 20‑29 dream of owning a home, yet only 46 % plan to purchase within the next decade and merely 14 % are actively gathering information. Respondents cite rising purchase prices, higher construction costs, increased ancillary expenses and stricter equity requirements as major obstacles. Experts note that saving 20‑30 % of a property's price as down‑payment—roughly €60,000 for a €300,000 home—has become a long‑term challenge, even for those who can set aside 20 % of disposable income.

Against this backdrop, 31‑year‑old single mother Lisa from Hemer, North Rhine‑Westphalia, is pursuing an alternative route by building a tiny house on stilts. After living in a caravan to save rent, she and friends cleared dense vegetation, installed deep screw foundations and navigated local building regulations to create a modest, self‑built dwelling for herself and her seven‑year‑old daughter. Her story illustrates both the difficulty of traditional home acquisition for young households and the emerging DIY solutions some are adopting.