Happy & Healthy

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN BUYING A HOUSE

Home is where the heart is, but that heart is a moving type. So if you're not booking a vacation today like May, I recommend scrolling through Funda.nl. Especially if you discovered among all the Christmas crafts in the kitchen that it's way too small, then you just have to move.

I am the supreme rental queen, but I haven't been very busy buying myself. And then you're stuck with your nose in paperwork about mortgages and purchase prices, because you need to know a lot before you buy a house. What? Well, these nine. Here you go, mi casa es tu casa (if you buy it).

1. House, tree, is it a party?

Is your Pinterest getting a bit overwhelmed by your interior wishes? Slow down, honey. First, check if you can buy, what the height of your mortgage can be, and make a list of your housing wishes. And if you already have a house in your name, sell that first.

2. Now or never?

If you're head over heels for a new casa, find out if this is a good time for you to buy. The situation is favorable, as mortgage rates are still ridiculously low, house prices haven't returned to the max yet, and there are still some for sale (yes, they go like hotcakes).

3. Because you’re worth it

What the crazy person pays, but that's how it is with houses. In our capital, bidding over is the rule, because otherwise that palace will never be yours. Do a comparative market research. What is similar to this house, in that neighborhood, with a twinning option package? You should be around that price. In a purchase price overview, you can also see what your neighbors paid for their home.

4. How does it look pricewise?

Make sure you know everything about the numbers and commas around a house. Is the sale price roughly the same as the WOZ value determined by the municipality? And also check the purchase price and mortgage deed of your object of desire. With a mortgage-free house, you have more room for negotiation than with owners who have a stranglehold mortgage.

“Home is where the heart is”

5. The homeowners

Tell me which house it is and Google will tell you who the owner is. It's often that simple, but if you want to be 100 percent sure of your case, request the deed of ownership. You can also immediately see what Mr. or Mrs. paid for the house. How handy.

6. Booster or leaker?

Okay, you're head over heels for a house and the mortgage is also fine. A great time to consider the living expenses. A good indicator is the energy label of a house, which quickly shows whether you heat efficiently or if you're leaking on your gas, water, and electricity.

7. Close the deal

In true Harvey Specter style: it’s time to close the deal. You still need a pot for negotiating, and those aren't as annoyingly sexy as in Suits. But here you gather the WOZ value, the purchase price, the property value report, and the mortgage deed to come to a nice price.. 8. Just check out the neighborhood.

Look, your house might score a hundred points, but does the neighborhood do the same? If you want to go green, then living on the third floor might not be so handy. And if you have a team of kids, you want the primary school and the soccer field within walking distance. Find out and spend an afternoon exploring your new neighborhood.

9. Soon to be a landowner?.

Make sure you don't accidentally encroach on your neighbors' land. It makes for hilarious TV, but you don't want that kind of neighbor dispute yourself. On the cadastral map, you can see to the millimeter what your land will be. No messing around with that fence or hedge.

And for all your other buying questions, I'm of course ready for you at adeline@amayzine.com. I'll search for the answer in the depths of the Dutch housing market.

Source: Cadastre data.

Home is where the heart is, but that heart is a moving type. So if you're not booking a vacation today like May, I recommend scrolling through...