Buying a house in the Netherlands

Step 1: Should I rent or buy a house in the Netherlands?

Should you buy your first house or is it better to look for a rental property? Which one of these options is the most interesting one for you? Find out for yourself by doing our “Rent or buy” quiz.

Step 2: What kind of house should I buy?

Where do you want to live in the Netherlands, for example in Amsterdam or Rotterdam? And what should the house look like? How much space do you need? Do you want to be able to move in straight away or are you ready to get your hands dirty and do-it-yourself? Draw up a list of your living requirements and make it clear to yourself which requirements the house you are going to buy should meet. Also consider whether you want a new or existing house. Take into account the additional costs of a new-build house.

Step 3: How much can I borrow?

If you want to buy a house, it is good to know how much you can borrow. How much you can borrow depends on your income, the value of the house, your monthly fixed expenses and other financial commitments. Test it yourself with our easy to use calculators.
 
What is my maximum mortgage?
What will my monthly costs be?

Step 4: Looking for your dream home in the Netherlands

Now that you know what kind of house you want to buy and have an idea of how much you can borrow, start your house hunt. If you are going to buy a house, you can opt for a real estate agent. And they can give you tips and advice, accompany you on viewings, guide you through the purchase, take care of the negotiations and arrange everything related to the sales contract.
 
In the Netherlands, the Open House Day takes place twice a year. During this day, you can view a house for sale without an appointment and without any obligations. A good way to view several houses in one day.

Step 5: Found your dream home?

You have found your dream home. Before you make an offer, you need to know the approximate value of the house you want to buy. If you want a rough estimate, fill in the home value meter.
 
If your dream home fits in your financial situation, you can start negotiating. About the purchase price, but also about the furniture you might want to keep, or the date of transfer of your house.
 
A word of advice: always make your (first) offer with the caveat that you can secure the financing. This protects you from paying a fine if, for some reason, it turns out that you cannot secure the mortgage within six weeks. The seller is not obliged to accept your offer. But if he does make a counter-offer, he must negotiate with you until you indicate that you are no longer interested.
 
If you agree on a price, the house will have to be valued and you may have to have an architectural inspection carried out. This will give you an objective assessment of the condition of the house you are going to buy. Via De Hypotheker, you can have a valuation or an inspection carried out at a favourable rate. Ask about this at one of our branches.

Step 6: The sales contract

Based on the verbal agreement, the selling broker draws up a purchase contract, which both parties have to sign. This is followed by a three-day period within which the buyer may abandon the purchase without reason. Obtain thorough advice on the content of the purchase contract, such as the stipulation of the dissolving conditions. After you have concluded the contract, you will usually have to provide a deposit or a bank guarantee at the notary's office. De Hypotheker can arrange this bank guarantee for you.

Step 7: Taking out a mortgage

When you have a complete financial assessment, the mortgage advisor will look for the mortgage that suits you best: a linear or annuity mortgage. You usually take out a mortgage for 30 years. The advisor will also check whether you qualify for National Mortgage Guarantee or a Starter Loan. Based on your wishes and your current financial situation, the mortgage advisor will request a mortgage offer (Binding Credit Offer) from the lender. You will review this credit offer with your advisor. Once you have signed the offer, the mortgage advisor will arrange the rest: from lender to the notary.

Step 8: The transfer

Once you have signed the deed of transfer at the notary, you are officially the owner of the property. It is customary to sign the mortgage deed just after the conveyance deed.
 
Want to know more about buying a house in the Netherlands? Drop by one of De Hypotheker branches. Our mortgage advisor will tell you more about your financial options.