Upon beginning your search for a suitable home, contact Martinot financial for a free, impartial consultancy. 

During this initial consultation and through mortgage calculations we will give you an accurate indication of what properties are within your price range, allowing you to refine your search and act swiftly upon identifying a home which best suits your needs.

When looking for a property in Holland, there are two main ways to conduct your search. Depending on which suits best you can browse yourself through specialized housing websites making enquiries and appointments yourself or enlist the help of a broker who will assist you by conducting the search and suggest potential suitable homes.

The next step for your agent to make a valuation and enter into negotiations on your behalf.

Congratulations! You have been successful in buying the property and now to sign the contract.

Important things to know:

In the Netherlands, you have the right to cancel the contract of sale within three days of signing, without providing a reason. A notary is always involved in the purchase and sale of a property. As a property buyer, you can select the notary of your choice. 

The contract of sale

The contract of sale contains information about the property, the price, the obligations of the buyer and the seller, the date of conveyance and the guarantee.

There is a guarantee which comprises a 10% deposit to the civil law notary’s escrow account. This deposit can also be paid in cash to the civil law notary’s third-party account if sufficient liquid assets are available. Another option is to apply for a bank guarantee, something we can arrange on your behalf.

Clause

The contract usually includes a clause stating that the agreement is pending financing, which specifies the amount of time you have to arrange the necessary funding to allow the purchase to proceed. If you do not succeed in obtaining a mortgage within the agreed period (usually four to six weeks), you can unilaterally terminate the contract. You will, however, need a written statement from two banks confirming that they have rejected your mortgage application.

The purchase price is always followed by one of two abbreviations: ‘KK’ or ‘VON’. ‘KK’ means that all of the costs associated with buying a property are borne by the buyer (‘kosten koper’ or ‘purchasing costs payable by the buyer’). ‘VON’ stands for ‘vrij op naam’ or ‘purchasing costs payable by the seller’, which in most cases only applies if you are buying a new build property.

For the next appointment we will discuss what mortgages are available and which mortgage suits your needs best.

In preparation for the second appointment we will require a number of documents in order to proceed. With your second appointment there will be a cost which will be discussed prior to proceeding.

During the mortgage application process we will ensure you understand the mortgages on offer fully and give impartial advice which will best benefit you.

The mortgage you can get depends on these main factors:

1. Your income. Loan too income value.
2. The ratio between the property value and the mortgage amount. Loan to Value.
3. The interest on your loan.
4. Nationality is important. Some banks make a distinction between EU and non-EU citizens in their mortgage considerations.
5. Tax status:  This is used to verify whether the applicant is a tax payer in the Netherlands and/or whether the 30% regulation applies.
6. Private home ownership is deemed in the Netherlands to be an income constituent for income tax purposes. All costs, charges and depreciations associated with home ownership are therefore eligible for a tax allowance.
7. Home ownership and the above expenditures are incorporated as a fixed sum in the taxable (net) rental income. The payable interest and the costs associated with home acquisition debt can be deducted from the progressively taxable income from employment and home ownership (box 1).

Once you have completed the previous steps you will receive a date of issue, this is the date on which you will receive the keys to your home. Upon receiving this date you will engage with the notary.

The notary is responsible for: 

•Drawing up the contract of sale

•Drawing up the deed of delivery for the property

•Drawing up the mortgage deed

•Filing the details with the public registers

•Conducting a survey

•Overseeing the settlement and transfer of funds

The correct home insurance is important to ensure you can recover any costs from and damage your property incurs. These are the different types of insurance and what they cover.

•Homeowners insurance ( ‘woonhuisverzekering’)

This insurance policy covers damage caused by fire, burglary, etc. The bank requires such a policy in order to establish a mortgage.

•Contents insurance ( ‘inboedelverzekering’)

This insurance policy covers damage to the contents of your home due to fire, burglary, etc.

•Health insurance ( ‘ziektekostenverzekering’)

•Liability insurance (‘AVP’ or ‘WA’)

This insurance policy covers personal claims made against you.

Only this you really have to do! We wish you a lot of living pleasure in your new home or a pleasant deposit of the changed mortgage.