der  Bausparvertrag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbaʊˌʃpaːɐfɛɐ̯ˌtʁaːk/

🏠 What exactly is a Bausparvertrag?

A Bausparvertrag (der Bausparvertrag, plural: die Bausparverträge) is a special type of savings contract common in Germany and Austria. Its primary purpose is to finance residential property measures, meaning the construction, purchase, or modernization of real estate (often one's 'own home' or Eigenheim).

It combines a savings phase (Ansparphase) with a subsequent loan phase (Darlehensphase). During the savings phase, the saver (Bausparer) makes regular deposits and earns interest. After reaching a specific minimum savings balance and an allocation score (Bewertungszahl), the contract becomes ready for allocation ('zuteilungsreif').

At this point, the saver can access the accumulated savings and becomes entitled to a building loan (Bauspardarlehen) with often favorable, fixed interest rates for the remainder of the agreed contract sum (Bausparsumme).

🚨 Important: The article is always der, because the base word 'Vertrag' (contract) is masculine in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of Bausparvertrag

The noun 'Bausparvertrag' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Viele junge Familien schließen einen Bausparvertrag ab, um später ein Haus zu bauen.
   (Many young families take out a building savings contract to build a house later.)
2. Die Zinsen des Bausparvertrages sind für die gesamte Laufzeit festgeschrieben.
   (The interest rates of the building savings contract are fixed for the entire term.)
3. Mit dem Bausparvertrag sichert er sich ein günstiges Darlehen.
   (With the building savings contract, he secures a favorable loan.)
4. Er hat seinen alten Bausparvertrag gekündigt.
   (He cancelled his old building savings contract.)
5. Sie verglich die Konditionen verschiedener Bausparverträge.
   (She compared the conditions of various building savings contracts.)

💡 Everyday Use

The Bausparvertrag is a very specific financial product primarily used in the following contexts:

• Home Financing (Eigenheimfinanzierung): The classic case – saving for the purchase or construction of a property.
• Modernization (Modernisierung): Financing renovations or conversions of residential property.
• Follow-up Financing (Anschlussfinanzierung): Sometimes used to pay off an existing mortgage.
• State Subsidies (Staatliche Förderung): Under certain conditions, savers can receive government bonuses like the 'Wohnungsbauprämie' or 'Arbeitnehmersparzulage'.

In conversation, you often hear phrases like: "Wir haben einen Bausparvertrag laufen." (We have a building savings contract running.) or "Ist dein Bausparvertrag schon zuteilungsreif?" (Is your building savings contract ready for allocation yet?). It symbolizes long-term saving aimed at home ownership.

⚠️ Don't confuse it with a simple savings account (Sparbuch) or a straightforward mortgage (Immobilienkredit). The Bausparvertrag is a combination of both.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'der': Think of the base word: der Vertrag (the contract). Contracts are often formal and grammatically determined as masculine in German. So: der Bausparvertrag.

For the meaning: Break down the word: Bau(en) (to build) + Spar(en) (to save) + Vertrag (contract). It's a contract that regulates saving for building (or buying/modernizing). 🏡💰📜

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

🚨 Be careful with terms like "Bausparer" (that's the person saving) or "Bausparkasse" (that's the institution offering these contracts).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Freund: "Warum sparst du mit deinem Bausparvertrag eigentlich so langsam?"
Antwortet der Bausparer: "Damit die Zinsen Zeit haben, erwachsen zu werden!"

Translation:
A friend asks: "Why are you saving so slowly with your building savings contract?"
The saver replies: "So the interest has time to grow up!" (Pun on Zinsen/interest also sounding like 'adolescents' in some contexts, and 'erwachsen werden' meaning 'to grow up/mature').

📜 A Poem about Saving

Stein auf Stein, das wär' ein Traum,
ein eignes Haus, ein kleiner Raum.
Doch Geld muss her, das ist doch klar,
drum spart man Jahr für Jahr.

Der Bausparvertrag, klug und schlicht,
hält Zinsen fest im Angesicht
der Zukunft, die man bauen will,
ganz ruhig, sicher, leis und still.

Erst sparen, dann das Darlehen klein,
so zieht man bald ins Häuschen ein!

Translation:
Stone by stone, that'd be a dream,
A house of one's own, a small room's gleam.
But money's needed, that is clear,
So one saves year after year.

The Bausparvertrag, clever and plain,
Holds interest rates firm again and again,
Facing the future one wants to build,
Very calmly, safely, quietly fulfilled.

First save, then the loan so small,
Soon one moves into the little house for all!

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Pakt aus Papier und Plan,
fang' mit dem Sparen für dich an.
Für Mauern, Dach und Fensterglas,
geb' ich dir später Mittel, na was?
Erst sammelst du, dann leih' ich dir,
für dein Zuhause steh' ich hier.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am a pact of paper and plan,
I start the saving for you, my man (or woman).
For walls, roof, and window pane,
I'll give you means later, what's my name?
First you collect, then I lend to thee,
For your own home, I stand here, see.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Bausparvertrag (The building savings contract)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition

The word „Bausparvertrag“ is a compound noun, composed of three parts:

• Bau(en): Refers to the goal – building, buying, or modernizing housing (from the verb 'bauen' - to build).
• Spar(en): Refers to the first phase – saving capital (from the verb 'sparen' - to save).
• Vertrag: The base word, meaning 'contract', which determines the grammatical gender (masculine).

Cultural Relevance

In Germany, Bausparen has a long tradition and was long considered the epitome of solid saving for home ownership. Even as financial markets change, the Bausparvertrag remains an important component of real estate financing for many Germans.