Dream house in the Harz: couple overcomes all obstacles!

Dream house in the Harz: couple overcomes all obstacles!

The Harz, with its dense forests and picturesque landscapes, is not only a popular destination for hikers, but also a sought-after location for second homes. This is what Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus, a couple from Hildesheim, who had been looking for a place to retreat to for years, found out. They finally found what they were looking for in the Upper Harz and purchased a historic moat house, which was not only to become their future home, but also a holiday apartment for guests. Loud News38 The two wanted to use the charm of the region to create a place for relaxation.

But after the purchase, various problems quickly arose, which diminished the joy of the new residence. From an unreliable well that didn't provide enough water to a lack of access rights to the property, the challenges piled up. It also emerged that access to their new home was via a private route, for which annual fees were due. In addition, the trench house's sewage treatment plant was not registered and discharged the wastewater "nowhere", which made the permits even more complicated.

The search for solutions

The Brockhaus quickly adapted to the situation and began looking for the previous owners in order to acquire additional land they needed. However, this turned out to be difficult because the municipality was unable to help due to data protection regulations. With a lot of initiative and support from the authorities, the couple managed to overcome the problems. Despite all the obstacles, they always believed in their purchase and were not discouraged, which was ultimately reflected in the positive feedback from guests in the holiday apartment.

However, some of the challenges were not just technical. Renting out the holiday apartment turned out to be a complex process that entailed additional requirements for the homeowners. Anke Brockhaus states that although the purchase of the Grabenhaus was not regretted, one had to be careful not to spend the newfound time solely on work.

Second home: advantages and disadvantages

A second home like the Grabenhaus in Oberharz often comes with organizational hurdles. According to information from Property prices.info, a second home must be registered and is often subject to a second home tax, which can be between 5% and 20% of the annual net rent. Owners should be aware that there are not only the house costs, but also additional fees for broadcasting fees, which are also due for a second home.

But there are also big advantages: a second home offers increased flexibility and the opportunity to have a place to relax in nature. But as seen with the Brockhaus, the ongoing obligations and administration are often demanding and time-consuming. Finally, all costs and possible fines for not registering must be taken into account.

If you like the adventure and challenges of a second home, you will certainly find a place in the Harz that offers much more than just a place to retreat. With the right attitude and a little bit of luck, a new house can become a comfortable home - even if everything doesn't go smoothly from the start. Who knows, maybe your own ditch house is just a few considerations away!