Homes in Germany under $200K

$200,000 in Germany works in second-tier cities and smaller towns. Three-room Altbau apartments in Leipzig's outer ring, townhouses in Chemnitz, flats in Dortmund or Essen, and family homes in rural Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg. Berlin is barely accessible — a small one-bed in Lichtenberg or Marzahn, probably. Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg are out. Expect solid masonry construction, original Altbau features (stucco ceilings, parquet), and the quirks of German condo associations (WEG). Property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer) runs 3.5-6.5% by state — add $10-13K to the buy price.