Jacques du Preez recently shared his experience working with J&B Makelaars over the past five years. After desperately needing a rental when he and his wife first moved to the Netherlands, he contacted Bridget at J&B Makelaars (formerly Expat Property Brokers) who have been helping him ever since. From renting to buying their first home to investing in properties, they’ve had an excellent relationship all throughout. According to Mr du Preez, “The team has been fantastic the whole way through.”
One of the major market differences between the Netherlands and South Africa where Mr du Preez is from, was that overbidding is the norm in the Netherlands. The asking price on a property is pretty much the lowest price you’ll get for the property. Also, it seemed to him that agents tended to go for the easy sale, meaning that foreigners pose certain complications when it comes to renting or buying property.
“So it is really, really important,” says Mr du Preez, “to try and find a rental or buying agent in this country that looks after you and has genuine interests in the expat market. And Bridget and her team showed me that from day one. And I think if you can do that, and if you can find those contacts up front, you’re going to make your life a whole lot easier.”
The market has also changed quite a lot in the past few years and this has affected Mr du Preez investment buying strategy. Real estate prices have climbed steadily while rental income growth has not kept pace with these increases in cost, not to mention government legislation has become more stringent for landlords. As such, it is a very sensitive topic to discuss among tenants, landlords and property owners alike.
“So on that basis, we moved into small industrial properties,” explains Mr du Preez. “Looking more at bedrijfshallen. If I had more cash, I’d go from much bigger units. The Dutch industrial market is incredibly robust and incredibly vibrant.”
When asked why others should make use of J&B Makelaars’ services, Mr du Preez responded, saying “because they give a damn. They are people. They understand how hard it is to buy and rent a home in the Netherlands. They understand the ins and outs of the market and they are with you every step of the way to try and advise you. To try and help you and they genuinely do give a damn.”
Watch our full-length interview here for more on Jacques du Preez experience as a J&B Makelaars client: