The challenge of buying a house – with a plan to your own four walls

Financing, viewings, appointments with real estate agents, notaries, and banks – anyone wanting to buy a house has a lot to do before receiving the keys. To avoid losing track, missing deadlines, and encountering unpleasant surprises, prospective homeowners should at least be familiar with the general process of buying a house.

Where should the new address be? Should it be centrally located and easily accessible by public transport? Or perhaps a bit further out, with nature right on the doorstep? Are there shops nearby for daily needs? These and similar questions should be clarified beforehand.

No money, no purchase , so your financial situation should be examined early on. And not just your current situation, but also your future one, because with children, daily expenses and space requirements increase, and more space often means a higher purchase price.
A comparison of income and expenses, as well as available equity, will provide clarity. Anyone wanting to finance a property without equity must be prepared to pay it off for a longer period under less favorable terms.

Approximately 12 percent of the purchase price should be budgeted for real estate agent fees, property transfer tax, notary fees, and loan interest . Suitable financing options are available from your bank or online portals; real estate agents often have contacts with mortgage brokers. When purchasing through a real estate agent, a commission is often payable, which can vary significantly depending on the region.

Spotted your dream home in the newspaper or during a Sunday stroll? Next up is a viewing, during the day of the week, of course. However, appearances can be deceiving, as not every instance of mold or structural defect is visible to the naked eye. To protect yourself from unexpectedly high renovation costs, an independent appraisal is invaluable, providing detailed information about the house's value, damage, and defects.
Unlike browsing a market on vacation, negotiating the price of a property is usually the biggest financial transaction of your life.

Very few laypeople possess sufficient experience and skill in this area, which is why negotiations are best left to a professional. Real estate agents negotiate daily, remain objective, and know what to look out for. They typically also offer support at the notary appointment, ensure a smooth handover, and more.