Buying a house isn't something you do every day. In this day and age, when available houses are selling like hotcakes, it's wise to make a quick decision. Unfortunately, this is also necessary, otherwise the house will already be bought by someone else. However, it's wise to take your time researching things after making an offer. A building inspection can give you a lot of insight into the technical condition.
But owning a house also comes with other concerns and considerations. We asked some of our customers for their tips for future homeowners. We're happy to share these tips with you in this article.
The first tip comes from Simone and concerns the "pink cloud." It's wise to bring someone along who's a bit more familiar with the house. You've already viewed the house online and fallen in love with it. This often leads to people becoming blind to the house's flaws. So bring someone who isn't in love with the house and who has an objective view. They'll show you not only all the positive aspects of the house, but also the negatives you might encounter later.
Henk gave us the tip to thoroughly check the house's foundation. Is it on wooden or concrete piles? What about the crawl space? Is the ventilation there adequate? Henk: "The cost of insulation can be quite high, so pay close attention to this."
It's possible to walk into your local bank and get a mortgage, but this often isn't the most advantageous option. All mortgage lenders offer different interest rates and terms. Florian recommended that it's wise to consult an independent mortgage advisor. They'll discuss all your needs with you and then select the most suitable mortgage.
Florian: "An acquaintance of mine went straight to a bank. They had a perfect story, and the mortgage they offered had the lowest interest rate available. At the same time, my wife and I were with an independent mortgage advisor, and we received a completely different offer. The interest rate was 0.8% different, which is quite a lot for a mortgage amount like that."
A home comes with insurance, some of which are mandatory, while others are useful. Building insurance, compulsory insurance, third-party liability insurance, legal assistance, contents insurance, and electronics insurance are all useful. You can arrange these insurances yourself or have an independent broker do it for you. They will work with you to determine the best insurance policies for you and arrange them for you.
Ivanka suggested she'd initially taken out the insurance herself, but something went wrong, and unfortunately, we didn't receive any reimbursement. We then switched to insurance through an agent. When something happened in this case, the agent resolved it for us and we received appropriate compensation.
Irene gave me a great tip: "Get in touch with your neighbors right after you move. Invite them over for coffee." This way, you'll have a great introduction to the neighborhood and get to know it a bit right away. Neighbors often have a lot to say about the area. Besides, there's a saying: a good neighborhood is better than a distant friend.
Are you planning to buy a house and want to know what costs you'll face in the coming years? Request a building inspection through our website.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
