The European dream: They bought a house for $175,000 and 20 years later it’s worth $750,000

When Jef and Sonja decided to build their house in Rijkevorsel, Belgium, their goal was not to make a long-term investment, but to create an affordable place they could call home. With help from their parents and a great deal of hands-on work, they managed to build the house for around $175,000.

Twenty years later, their situation has taken an unexpected turn. Today, the property is valued at approximately $761,000. How did this happen?

As reported by HLN, one of the main reasons behind this increase is the home’s location. Rijkevorsel is a municipality located about 15 kilometers from the Dutch border, and in recent years it has attracted growing interest from all kinds of buyers.

As housing prices have risen across the broader real estate market, many people have looked for alternatives in places like this, driving up demand and, in turn, property values. In addition, Jef and Sonja’s home stands out for being on a quiet, traffic-free street just less than half a mile from the town center and for its excellent connections. Cities such as Antwerp and Breda can be reached quickly and easily.

Jef and Sonja’s home has become a dream for many

According to the real estate agent who appraised the property, the sharp increase in the value of the couple’s single-family home can be explained by an uncommon combination of three highly sought-after features: natural light, spaciousness, and solid construction quality.

The house stands out for its lot size, its overall good condition, its well-maintained garden with an auxiliary building, and its generous interior layout, with bright living spaces and larger-than-average bedrooms. It also includes several energy-efficient upgrades, such as solar panels and even a home battery system.

The appraisal places the value of the land at around $275,650 and the building itself at nearly $469,200, which supports a market listing price of roughly $761,000. For Jef and Sonja, this represents a capital gain of close to $586,000 compared to their initial investment, confirming that a modest, well-planned construction can multiply its value over time.

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