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Dream house in the Harz: couple defies obstacles with their second home!
Find out how Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus found their dream home in the Harz Mountains and dealt with unexpected challenges.
Dream house in the Harz: couple defies obstacles with their second home!
A new chapter begins for Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus from Hildesheim. The Harz, known for its dense forests and picturesque landscapes, captivated the couple. While looking for a charming second home, they came across a tranquil moat house in the Upper Harz that would serve as the perfect retreat for relaxation. But as is often the case in life, the path is not always smooth.
After the purchase, modernizing the historic monument turned out to be one of the fewer challenges. However, the trench house was not only a place of peace, but also a project full of unexpected obstacles. The couple faced unreliable water supply and a lack of access rights. “Access to the property was via a private path and we had to pay for it annually,” says Anke Brockhaus. This unfortunate situation was compounded when they discovered that the previous owners' fence did not match the actual property lines. There was also an unreported three-chamber sewage treatment plant in the garden, which didn't make things any easier.
Recognize and overcome challenges
The Brockhaus’ had to search for the previous owners to acquire additional land, which turned out to be a real gauntlet. “The community couldn’t help us because of data protection regulations,” remembers Ulrich. In addition, the well did not provide enough water for the house's daily needs, so the idea arose to tap the Altenau elevated tank.
Renting out the planned holiday apartment was also a challenge. Numerous requirements had to be met, such as the provision of fire-fighting water, which was anything but trivial. Despite all these obstacles, the couple never gave up. “We have always been encouraged by the positive feedback from our guests,” emphasizes Anke. Your recovery time in the Upper Harz made up for all the effort.
Legal framework for second homes
Another important aspect when purchasing the moat house was the legal classification as a second home in the recreation area. How on ask-a-lawyer.de As set out above, a municipality can designate areas for leisure and recreational use in which permanent housing is not permitted. This could become a problem if the residence is declared as a primary residence as a legal review could take place. For tax purposes, the holiday home can also be treated as a second home, which is associated with a corresponding tax liability.
The Brockhaus family mastered the numerous challenges with a lot of patience and thoughtful steps. The positive experiences from their new home more than justified their decision to purchase the Grabenhaus. “We don’t regret the purchase, but the work shouldn’t outweigh it,” concludes Anke Brockhaus, making it clear that the path to fulfilling her dreams was anything but easy, but nevertheless worthwhile.