Purchase A Home
Blog category
How safe is Online Bidding and Online Bidding systems for home seekers really?
In this earlier article (from May 2022) of ours, you already read that Online Bidding Systems and the Online Bidding Procedure is actually false security. For example, with the NVM's online bidding system with closing date+time, the selling broker can simply see the...
Why are there no rulings from the Real Estate Disciplinary Committee on unfair bidding practices?
There is much to do about unfair bidding practices by real estate agents. On the website of Dispute Committee, anyone can read the rulings of the Disciplinary Committee for Real Estate Professionals regarding, among other things, wrongdoing by brokers. These are then...
Why does my energy label differ from my energy index and how can I fix it?
Your home may be one of those unique cases where you have an energy label with one letter as well as an energy index with a completely different letter. For example, you have energy label B on your house, but you also have and energy index with a score A. How on earth...
As a broker or appraiser, how to decipher a complicated soil report?
Anyone who has ever appraised or purchased something in a big city will not be unfamiliar; the soil report you get in front of you is 1 big incomprehensible piece of text more than 50 pages long. You want to buy or appraise that property, and you, as a real estate...
Oil tanks in the Garden: Risks, Disposal and Pollution
There may still be an oil tank in your or your neighbor's yard. We call these tanks "hbo tanks. HBO stands for "home heating oil. These tanks pose a major threat to soil quality on your plot and surrounding plots. Old tanks can leak and oil is a substance that can...
What should you do if it is not clear in the soil report whether remediation has taken place?
If the soil report states that remediation must take place, a BUS notification has been required since 2007. After that, there should have been remediation. But to know for sure if this has occurred, a remediation evaluation must have taken place. Where it often goes...
What should I do if I want help with a soil report/environmental report?
Our advice then is ALWAYS to seek help from an environmental consulting firm. In fact, they are many times better able to analyze and interpret current information on soil conditions. This also allows them to make a much better risk assessment of possible soil...
What should you do if the land registry states that a soil test needs to be done at a property or plot?
Suppose you are about to buy a home. In the documentation provided to you by the selling broker, you will also come across cadastral information. This will be in the form of a "Cadastral Notice" (also called "property information" or "cadastral extract"). This looks...
Registering an association with the Chamber of Commerce if you are not yet an owner
It often happens that you as a (potential) buyer of a property want to activate a dormant Owners' Association (VvE). The basis that every CoE must have is a registration in the Chamber of Commerce (CoC). Once you have that registration from the Chamber of Commerce,...
When is a soil test mandatory?
Having exploratory soil testing done may be required in a number of cases. It may also be purely an eligibility requirement. The exact requirements vary by legislative period and also vary by municipality. However, a soil test may be required in the following cases,...
Is there a chance of contaminated soil with a new home?
Contaminated soil we see a lot in old neighborhoods and with old homes. But what about new housing developments and new construction? Are you actually at risk there of contaminated soil at the property? Many homeowners, home seekers and also many real estate agents...
Why are there 2 appraised values in my appraisal report?
You may well have an appraisal report done on a property and there are 2 appraised values in that report. And then there is probably a big difference between those 2 appraisal values. We'll explain why that is. For this reason, there are often 2 values in your...
Buying the house you are renting, what should you pay attention to?
Many people who rent property are given the opportunity by their landlord to buy their rental property. In this article, we explain to you what to look out for and what all you need to arrange as a tenant/buyer. Why does the landlord want to sell the property to me...
What if the broker does not follow the rules of the Online Bidding System?
Since Jan. 1, 2023, brokers must use an online bidding system where an online bid log is maintained and can be viewed retrospectively by all bidders. But very often this does not happen or deals are still made outside the rules of this bidding system. What about this...
Is a buying agent mandatory?
No, a buying agent is never mandatory. Anyone in the Netherlands may simply buy a house without a buying agent. However, it is important to understand that purchasing a home can be a complex process, with many legal, financial and practical aspects to consider. Is a...
(When) Is a buying agent necessary?
Fair is fair: not everyone needs a buying agent right away for every home they want to buy. Some people are already so savvy and experienced with buying homes that they already know exactly what to look for. Based on experience, that percentage of experienced buyers...
What does a buying agent look at?
There is so much involved in finding the perfect home that meets all your wants and needs. This is where a buying agent can be invaluable. But what does a buying agent actually look at? In this blog, we will discover the essential factors a buying agent looks out for...
How does a buying agent work?
The process of buying a home can be complex and time-consuming, but fortunately there is a professional who can guide you through every step: the buying agent. But how exactly does a buying agent work? In this blog, we dive deeper into the question of "how does a...
How much does a buying agent cost?
In the search for your dream home, there are numerous factors to consider. One such consideration is hiring a buying agent. But what exactly are the costs associated with hiring a buying agent? And how do they set their prices? In this blog, we dive deeper into the...
Are purchase agent fees deductible?
Bij het kopen van een huis zijn er een aantal kosten die aftrekbaar zijn van de belasting. Denk hierbij aan de hypotheekrente, notariskosten en de taxatiekosten. Maar hoe zit het eigenlijk met de kosten van een aankoopmakelaar? Deze kosten zijn helaas niet aftrekbaar...
What does an NVM buying agent do?
Wat een aankoopmakelaar ongeveer doet is de meeste mensen waarschijnlijk wel duidelijk. Een NVM aankoopmakelaar begeleidt namelijk de koper bij het gehele aankoopproces van een woning, net als een ‘normale’ aankoopmakelaar. Maar de vraag is wat een ‘NVM’...
What if the appraisal is lower than the purchase price?
Het kopen van een woning is een spannende en soms ook stressvolle periode, dat begrijpen wij als geen ander. Wanneer je eindelijk een woning hebt gevonden die aan al jouw wensen voldoet en je een bod hebt uitgebracht dat is geaccepteerd, ben je al een stap dichter bij...
When do you need an appraisal report? We explain
Wanneer heb je een taxatierapport nodig? Of je nu op zoek bent naar een nieuwe woning of jouw huidige woning wilt verkopen, de kans is groot dat je vroeg of laat te maken krijgt met een taxatierapport. Een taxatierapport is een rapport waarin een professionele...
The No Risk Clause super simple explained
Are you going to buy a house but still have a house of your own to sell? Then you may not want to risk having 2 houses later. After all, that's what happens to you when you buy a house but you can't get your old home sold. To eliminate that risk, there is a solution:...
10 benefits of a buying agent
These days, using a buying agent is definitely not a luxury. I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice that recently, home prices have been rising, more homes are being sold, and the supply is dwindling. Then once you've found your dream home, you certainly don't want to...
What exactly about perpetual ground lease and how can I still claim it?
If you own a property in Amsterdam, you have (hopefully) received information about ground lease and the opportunity it gives you, the owner, to claim to buy off perpetual ground lease. If not? Then you are not the first and certainly not the last. Leasehold, simply...
Brokerage buying agent
Searching the housing market for your dream home can be quite a chore, but more importantly, very exciting. However, it only becomes a real chore when you actually want to buy the property. A buying agent can help and take the worry out of this. But how much...
Online bidding explained simply
Do you want to start bidding on a house? Then brokers are required to use an online bidding system since Jan. 1, 2023. The idea is that this will curb unfair practices in the housing market. Realtors are required to provide a bid log to anyone who has bid on a...
How do you choose/find a good buying agent?
You want to buy a house and want to know how to find a good buying agent. After all, it is important to have everything taken care of, especially when it comes to buying a house. Here we give you no-nonsense some sincere tips that will help you know how to find a good...
Does the living area of an outbuilding count if it is not licensed?
What I often encounter as a real estate agent and appraiser is a shed, chalet, office or other outbuilding that has been remodeled and is being used as a residence. That is, it should be dry, well insulated, heated and clearly suitable as a living space. So to be...