My living situation - Home In Holland

Buying Your First Home

If you want to buy your first home, good advice is crucial. It can offer you significant financial benefits both now and in the future. We will look at your overall financial situation and future plans that may affect your decisions.

Buying your first home is exciting and comes with a lot of questions. First, you’ll want to clearly define what your housing preferences are.

Of course, your budget is important. Have one of our advisors calculate your maximum mortgage (free of charge) and find out if the house you've seen fits within your budget.

It's also important to understand the different types of mortgages available and what additional costs, beyond the house price, you can expect.

When closing your first mortgage, it’s good to learn about the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG). NHG offers benefits and more security. But what does it really mean? And what are the conditions you must meet?

We’re here to answer these and any other questions you might have!

Step-by-Step Plan Wondering what steps you need to take and what you need to arrange before your first home is finally yours? Our advisors are happy to guide you!

Step 1: What are your financial possibilities?
Before you buy a house, it’s important to understand your financial capabilities. This depends on several factors. Are you buying alone or with a partner? Have you saved a significant amount, or can family contribute through a gift? Are you eligible for a starter loan?

Step 2: House hunting
Now that you know what’s financially possible, you can start searching for a home. Are you excited about a property? Then it’s time for a viewing! Don’t just look around the house carefully, but also gather information beforehand.

You may also consider hiring a real estate agent. This offers many advantages, (we also offer this service)

Step 3: Making an offer
Found your dream home? Now you can start negotiating, or let your agent handle the process. Think carefully beforehand about your maximum offer, and don’t forget to include conditions in your offer. This allows you to withdraw from the deal if certain conditions arise, such as not being sure if you’ll get the financing or needing a building inspection.

Step 4: Arranging the mortgage
If your offer is accepted, you can sign the preliminary purchase agreement and start arranging your mortgage. Our advisors will review your needs, income, and future plans with you.

Step 5: Visiting the notary
Once you’ve found a suitable mortgage, you give the advisor the go-ahead to finalize your mortgage. The official transfer of the house takes place at the notary. We will also go through the documents with you and check that everything is in order. Then it’s time to sign the mortgage deed. Congratulations, the house is officially yours!

Want to know more right away? Contact us quickly!

Buying Another Home

You’re thinking about your next home or have already found the ideal one. Good advice is important in this case.

When buying a next home, you’ll go through similar steps as with your first home, but the major difference is that you already have a house and an associated mortgage. It requires expertise to make the right choices during the “moving-up phase.”

You’ll face many questions. How much mortgage can I get? Does my home have equity? What should I do with any remaining debt? Should I sell my current home first and then buy a new one, or the other way around? What about my current mortgage type?

Should I carry over my current mortgage? How does a bridging loan work?

Can I afford potential double costs?

And there are many other factors to consider. We’re happy to help make everything clear for you!

Refinancing or Extending Your Mortgage

If your fixed interest period is ending soon, it’s wise to start looking into what the most attractive next step is. Should you extend your mortgage with your current lender, or would it be more beneficial to refinance your mortgage with a different lender?

In both cases, you shouldn’t just focus on the (lowest) mortgage interest rate; make sure to also consider the terms and the length of the new fixed interest period. If you're planning to move soon, it’s a good idea to take the new low interest rate with you.

You can choose to extend, refinance, or use interest rate averaging, but what is the best option for your situation?

Mortgage Optimization and Maintenance

It’s important to regularly review your mortgage, just like your home, as it requires maintenance to stay relevant. Sometimes, the circumstances since you took out the mortgage have changed, such as your income or family situation. Is my interest rate still current? Is refinancing an option?

Can I make interim repayments? Perhaps you’ve received an inheritance or saved a lot of money.

Does the current mortgage type still suit you? Is making your home more sustainable a good idea?

Feel free to contact us without obligation to discuss these questions with one of our advisors.

Divorce

A divorce or separation is a significant event. In addition to the emotional aspects, there are also many financial considerations. Naturally, you’ll want to have these financial aspects carefully reviewed. The home and the mortgage are an important part of this. Many questions will arise. Who will stay in the house? Is this financially feasible?

Or should the house be sold? What happens to our pension? Am I entitled to spousal support? What if there’s a remaining debt after the sale of our house?

What about the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG)?

Excess Value (Equity)

More and more homeowners today have equity in their property. Your home is worth more than your mortgage, which may open up opportunities.

You might consider lowering your mortgage interest rate, using it for renovations, purchasing a second home, supplementing your pension, or making a gift to (grand)children.

Want to know more about the possibilities with the equity in your home?

Renovation

You’re happy with your home but feel the need for renewal, more space, or improved comfort, and want to renovate your property. How will you finance the renovation? There are several ways to achieve this. You could consider a second mortgage, a construction deposit, or using some of your savings for this purpose.

Feel free to schedule a consultation with one of our mortgage advisors and inquire about the different options available.

Sustainability

More and more homeowners are interested in making their homes more sustainable. Sustainable improvements can be beneficial for your monthly expenses, the value of your property, your living comfort, and the climate! You can significantly reduce your energy bill by installing an energy-efficient boiler, solar panels, or adding extra insulation. But how can you finance such a sustainable renovation? There are more options than you might think.

We can help you explore the possibilities and provide the right advice.

Entrepreneur

Are you an entrepreneur (self-employed, start-up business owner, freelancer, director-major shareholder (DGA), or, for example, a ZZP-er) and want to apply for a mortgage? Your situation is more complex than that of someone with a salaried job.

Mortgage lenders often have different requirements, the future of your business plays a role, and tax regulations are different.

We have the knowledge and experience to assess your financial situation as an entrepreneur and to interpret your financial statements correctly. We look beyond just the mortgage and consider your overall financial situation and future plans in our advice.

Even if you've only recently become self-employed, there are options for a suitable mortgage.

So, get in touch with one of our advisors soon.

New Construction

Buying a new-build home differs from buying an existing property. There are several factors to consider. Some mortgage lenders offer a discount on the interest rate if the home meets certain sustainability criteria. You may also encounter construction interest and interest loss during the building process or deal with a delayed construction project.

There are various factors that can have an impact. Let us provide you with further advice on this matter.