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Fighting Brockhaus: Dream house in the Harz despite bureaucratic hurdles!
A couple from Hildesheim purchases a ditch house in the Upper Harz, despite unexpected challenges in modernizing and renting it out.
Fighting Brockhaus: Dream house in the Harz despite bureaucratic hurdles!
The picturesque landscapes and dense forests of the Harz are not only a magnet for nature lovers, but also for people looking for a place to retreat. Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus from Hildesheim made this dream come true when they found a ditch house in the Upper Harz after years of searching. Their goal: A peaceful place where they can unwind and at the same time offer a holiday apartment for guests.
But the path to her dream home was anything but easy. The modernization of the historic building proved to be the least of the hurdles. As News38 reports, numerous challenges arose after the purchase that pushed the couple to the limits of their patience. An unreliable well did not provide enough water to meet demand, and access to the property was limited by a lack of right-of-way. In addition, the house's three-chamber sewage treatment plant was not properly registered and discharged wastewater to "nowhere".
Hurdles on the way to a second home
The Brockhauses even had to look for the previous owners in order to buy additional land from them because the access was on someone else's land. This proved to be inconvenient because the municipality was unable to help them due to data protection regulations. Despite these adversities, the two stuck to their plan and appreciated the support from cooperative authorities and the intensive research they had carried out.
When it comes to renting out the vacation home, they also had to contend with unexpected homeowner demands. Nevertheless, the Brockhaus never thought of giving up. Positive feedback from guests and their relaxing time in the Upper Harz strengthened their determination. “We don’t regret the purchase, but you have to make sure that you don’t just spend your time working,” says Anke Brockhaus, summarizing her experiences.
Market development and legal framework conditions
The situation in the real estate market in 2025 is characterized by uncertainty, especially after the federal election in February. Experts assume that new laws in economic, construction and environmental policy will bring new challenges to the market. The Gleiss Lutz points out that the gross domestic product barely grew in the third quarter of 2024 and corporate insolvencies rose sharply.
The geopolitical situation, which is affected by the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, could also have an impact on the real estate market. Building interest rates are approaching the 3% mark and the coming year could bring numerous legal changes that are relevant for property owners.
Even though Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus have to overcome a few hurdles, their trench house in the Upper Harz remains a valuable retreat for them. Her story shows that despite all the difficulties, the path to a dream home can be pursued with passion and perseverance.