Do you own a
property in the Netherlands? A luxury apartment in Amsterdam, perhaps? Or a family home in Rotterdam? Or is it a cottage in Utrecht? In any case, you ought to enjoy your place there as much as possible. Why? Because there might come a time when you'll have to sell it. And of course, you'd want to do it properly right? To sell it to a nice buyer and earn a nice profit, correct? Well, in order for that to happen, you'd do well to follow a few tips. For example, gathering up all your documents beforehand is a good idea. As well as preparing a huge budget for all the costs.
Brush Up on Your Dutch
You're probably a foreign homeowner in the Netherlands, are you? Since your legal residency status doesn't matter when it comes to buying and owning real estate in this country, you never needed to live here. And of course, you never needed to
learn Dutch either! That's all well and good, especially if you used the property as a vacation home in the Netherlands. However, selling it is a different story. Though not mandatory, knowing how to speak and understand Dutch can help you in leaps and bounds. Particularly when it comes to legal matters and avoiding scams.
Prepare A Huge Budget
If you thought that you selling a property won't cost money, you're sadly mistaken! Whether it's an apartment or a house in the Netherlands, it's all the same. Selling real estate here will cost you a pretty penny. Perhaps not as much as it would the buyer, but they're important nonetheless! Depending on your specific situation, you might have to pay for the valuation and surveys of your property. You'll also need to set up viewing parties for potential buyers which, of course, will cost money. And if you choose to hire a
real estate agent, you'll need to pay them their commission too!
Consider Selling The Property On Your Own
It's the extra cost of paying your real estate agent that may make you want to consider selling the place
on your own instead. Though you're strongly advised to sell your property
through real estate, you might find it better to do it solo. For one thing, you won't have to pay an agent's fees, allowing you to keep more of your profit for yourself. Thanks to the many property listing websites out there, you no longer need an agent to get your property out there. And selling on your own allows you to stay on of things, especially when it comes to the buyer and what they're doing.
Get Your Legal Documents Ready
Before you put your property in the Netherlands for sale, you might want to prepare all your legal documents. More often than not, it's this part that prolongs the entire process. Especially if the notary sees some errors in the documents. Let's say, for instance, that you're not listed as the owner in the deed. Before you can legally sell the property, you have to place your name on the title. And this can take a long time! What could and should have taken two months to complete the purchase can easily turn half a year or more!
Tidy Your Home
It goes without saying that when you put your property for sale in the Netherlands, it ought to be tidy. From when you have it photographed for the property listing website to hosting viewing parties, the place ought to be squeaky clean. If you can, it might even better to take out some of your stuff as well. Not only will this make the space look cleaner, but with less clutter, potential buyers can easily imagine where they'll put their belongings inside the property. This, in turn, might just push them to buy your place!
Do The Small Repairs Yourself
In the same vein, you might want to do the small repairs yourself. Whether it's a wall that needs a fresh coat of paint or a hinge that needs replacing, if there's anything that you can fix, go on right ahead! For one thing, this saves you more money than hiring a repairman. You'll also get to ensure that every detail of the property won't pose a problem in surveys and viewings. Remember that there are
a lot of things that buyers will consider when choosing a property to buy. Even the most minute details can lead to their final decision!
Deal With Your Mortgage
And finally, don't forget to deal with your mortgage! When you sell your property in the Netherlands, you'll be required to pay off your mortgage. If not, you'll be stuck with a residual debt that you'll have to pay with your own money. Not only that, but it will also be hard for the buyer to apply their mortgage to the property. Luckily, there's also the option of transferring your mortgage. This is good if your current mortgage has favorable conditions. You can apply it to a new property, especially if you plan to use that as your new residence in the country.
Selling your property in the Netherlands can get pretty complicated if you're not careful. So before you begin the process, you'd do well to learn more about it and even follow a few helpful tips along the way!
