Picture yourself waking to morning light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, your coffee in hand as you step onto your private terrace overlooking nearly three-quarters of an acre of verdant German countryside. This is the daily reality awaiting you at this spacious family retreat in Emlichheim, a tranquil border village where German efficiency meets Dutch accessibility, creating an exceptional opportunity for international families seeking a European second home with genuine lifestyle flexibility.
Built in 2006 with meticulous attention to quality, this 244-square-meter residence offers something increasingly rare in modern Europe: genuine space to breathe. The 3,000-square-meter plot wraps entirely around the house, creating multiple outdoor zones for everything from morning yoga sessions to summer evening gatherings with extended family. The double carport and stone storage building handle the practical realities of country living, while the thoughtful architecture ensures every room captures natural light and garden views.
Step inside, and the home reveals its greatest asset: adaptability. The ground floor flows seamlessly from the welcoming entrance hall into an expansive living area anchored by a wood-burning stove—perfect for those crisp autumn weekends when you escape city life for countryside tranquility. The open-plan kitchen, centered around a contemporary island, becomes the natural gathering point for family meals, while the year-round conservatory extends your living space into the garden regardless of season. This isn't just a vacation home; it's a property designed for the rhythms of real family life across generations.
The master suite on the ground floor provides a private sanctuary complete with en-suite facilities including both bathtub and walk-in shower—a rare luxury that transforms this from a simple holiday house into a genuine retreat. The adjacent bedroom serves equally well as a home office for remote work stays or accommodation for visiting friends. Meanwhile, upstairs, four additional bedrooms offer flexibility that international buyers will appreciate: separate spaces for children, guests, or even the potential to create an independent living unit for rental income or multi-generational arrangements.
Emlichheim's unique border position creates extraordinary lifestyle opportunities. Within five minutes, you're in the Dutch towns of Coevorden or Schoonebeek, accessing different shopping options, cultural offerings, and even tax advantages for certain purchases. Within ten minutes, you're exploring the region's extensive network of cycling paths that wind through heathlands and forests. This cross-border accessibility means you experience the best of both countries: German orderliness and infrastructure combined with Dutch cafe culture and relaxed outdoor living.
The region transforms beautifully through the seasons. Spring brings wildflower meadows and ideal conditions for cycling the countryside routes. Summer invites leisurely barbecues on your expansive grounds, with daylight stretching until late evening. Autumn paints the surrounding forests in amber and gold, perfect for woodland walks before returning to the warmth of your wood stove. Winter offers a cozy retreat, with nearby German Christmas markets in larger towns and the possibility of ice skating on frozen lakes when temperatures drop sufficiently.
For families seeking a vacation home that accommodates evolving needs, the property's technical specifications deserve attention. The balanced ventilation system ensures healthy air quality during extended stays, while comprehensive insulation in roof, walls, and floors keeps energy costs reasonable—an important consideration for a second home. The 2006 gas heating system provides reliable warmth, supplemented by that atmospheric wood stove. Double glazing throughout means comfortable living year-round, whether you're here for summer holidays or winter escapes.
The local area offers more than rural tranquility. Emlichheim itself provides all essential amenities within cycling distance: supermarkets, bakeries, banks, and medical facilities. The village maintains strong community traditions with seasonal festivals and markets that welcome newcomers warmly. Larger shopping centers and cultural attractions in Nordhorn (20 minutes) or Coevorden provide urban conveniences when desired. The nearest international airport connections are accessible within 90 minutes, making this property surprisingly reachable for weekend visits from other European cities.
From an investment perspective, this property presents compelling value. The German-Dutch border region has seen steady appreciation as international buyers discover its quality of life advantages. The home's move-in ready condition eliminates immediate renovation expenses, while the substantial plot offers future expansion possibilities if desired. The layout's potential for dual occupancy opens rental income opportunities—either long-term tenant arrangements or vacation rental during periods you're not in residence. German property ownership by international buyers follows straightforward legal processes, with transparent tax structures and reliable property rights.
Key features that elevate this property above typical vacation homes:
• Six bedrooms across two floors offering genuine space for extended family gatherings
• Two complete bathrooms plus two separate toilets ensuring comfort for multiple occupants
• Nearly 3,000-square-meter garden plot providing privacy and outdoor recreation space
• Ground-floor master suite with luxury en-suite bathroom for convenient single-level living
• Year-round conservatory extending living space into the garden regardless of weather
• Double carport plus additional parking accommodating multiple vehicles
• Wood-burning stove creating authentic atmosphere and supplementary heating
• Balanced ventilation system ensuring healthy indoor air quality during extended stays
• Comprehensive insulation and double glazing providing energy efficiency
• Stone storage building with electricity for hobbies, equipment, or workshop space
• Roof terrace offering elevated garden views and private outdoor retreat
• Flexible upper floor layout enabling potential independent living unit creation
• Strategic border location accessing both German and Dutch amenities within minutes
• Modern open-plan kitchen with island design perfect for family cooking and entertaining
• Established residential neighborhood providing security and community connections
This property represents more than a vacation home investment—it's an invitation to a lifestyle where weekends mean countryside air instead of city stress, where family gatherings have room to unfold naturally, and where the rhythms of rural European life create the restorative experiences that make second home ownership worthwhile. The combination of substantial living space, exceptional outdoor area, and practical border-region location creates opportunities that single-country properties cannot match.
Whether you envision this as your family's regular retreat, a future retirement transition home, or an income-generating asset during periods between your visits, the property's versatility supports multiple strategies. The German market's stability, combined with this region's growing appeal to international buyers seeking authentic European experiences away from overtouristed areas, suggests solid long-term value retention.
Ready to explore how this spacious family retreat could become your European home base? Contact Homestra today to arrange a private viewing and discover firsthand how this property's combination of space, location, and lifestyle potential could transform your vision of European vacation home ownership into reality. Your countryside sanctuary awaits in Emlichheim.
