House hunting at any time is a stressful and challenging experience. The Dutch housing market is unique, given its housing shortage and exceptional growth in the values of homes. The pandemic has directly impacted this market. We have experienced remarkable growth, and the demand is at an all-time high. “Stay home” has been the consistent mantra of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic, and having a home you love where you can safely shelter in place feels more critical than ever.
Space has become a prime factor with more than one work from home option in each property. We have seen a greater demand for gardens or some outdoor space properties.
Pursuing a new home purchase in the current environment has both upsides and downsides. Before the pandemic, this market was difficult as the housing shortage and prices made it difficult for many expats to secure homes. It would help to understand how the pandemic has impacted buying a home. The demand is even greater, and the prices have rocketed as buyer’s needs have changed and the importance of work from home space has become the priority.
In a time of great uncertainty, a voice of knowledge and reassurance can make all the difference.:
- Contract a good buying consultant/aankoop makelaar, which can offer you a diverse range of areas to ensure your search radius is not limited to only one location.
- Get a pre-qualification on your financial situation.
- Attend viewings in person accompanied by your aankoop makelaar
- Take hand sanitiser
- Use a face mask
- Don’t touch too much
- Keep your 1.5m distance
- Do the needed area and pricing research – ensure your offer is competitive without overpaying for the property.
- Work with your aankoop makelaar to ensure your offer is correctly worded – it’s not only the highest price that wins a home. How the proposal is structured makes all the difference.
- Be prepared as the bidding process is a bit of warfare at the moment, don’t get sucked up into the frenzy taking place at the moment. People are putting in exceptionally high offers, and they won’t see value in many years to come. Your proposal needs to be strong but not ridiculously high.
- Let your aankoop makelaar review the needed documentation and declarations.
- Let your aankoop makelaar handle the negotiations; dealing with an associate is at times a preference for the selling agents as they know the buyers are serious and not “tire kickers”.
- Once the offer is accepted, your aankoop makelaar will guide you through the post-sales process with as little stress to you as possible.
- Have contracts call with your makelaar to ensure you understand what you are signing and ensure no areas for concern.
- If you can be present at the technical inspection, it helps you understand your new home’s issues and critical factors.
- Your aankoop makelaar will work closely with your mortgage advisor to ensure all dates are met, and you do not land in a situation where you could be in for penalties on your sales agreement.
Author: Bridgette Ball
Date: 31 December 2021
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