Expat mortgages
Welcome to the Netherlands. This part of my website was specifically designed for expats in need of financial planning and expats seeking mortgage advice when buying a home in the Eindhoven Brainport Region.Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is also free if you live in the Eindhoven region.
INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE ADVICE
EINDHOVEN
&
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Do you work in the Eindhoven Brainport Region for an international company such as ASML, Philips, NXP, DAF, Eindhoven University of Technology, IBM, Imtech, Intel or VDL? Are you looking to mortgage a house in the Eindhoven Brainport Region?
Arranging all of your financial needs in a new country with a new culture and new customs can be stressful and overwhelming. Roots Financieel Advies can help expats in the Eindhoven Brainport Region with all of their mortgage and financial planning needs. My goal is to help you live and work without financial worries.
I started Roots Financieel Advies because I wanted to provide my clients with more value than the big banks and bigger financial advisors could. What I offer is security, support, peace of mind, service and safety. Feel free to contact me to discuss this added value in person. I am available seven days a week, weekends included, to lend a listening ear or to discuss any financial questions or concerns you may have. Together, we can resolve every financial problem and issue.
I can also guide you through the process of buying a home. Click on the steps below for detailed information about this process.
Step 1 / Step 2 / Step 3 / Step 4 / Step 5 / Step 6 / Step 7 /Step 8 / Step 9 / Step 10
Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is also free if you live in the Eindhoven region.
Step 1 & 2
Step 1: Maximum mortgage
Before you start looking for a suitable home, contact me for an initial consultation. This first appointment is free if you live in the Eindhoven region and will give you a clear overview of the price range that fits your budget and the associated monthly costs.
This first meeting will also give you an accurate indication of the price range in which to conduct your property search. This will, in turn, allow you to act quickly once you’ve found a suitable home.
The first mortgage appointment for a home in the Eindhoven area can be made at a time and place that suits you best. I am available seven days a week, including weekends and evenings. A few days after this first appointment you can expect to receive the following:
- A summary of the issues discussed during the first meeting
- A general report of your mortgage results, including:
- An indication of your maximum mortgage amount
- Details of the price range in which to conduct your search in the Eindhoven region
- Calculations setting out your gross and net (monthly) expenses, with different mortgage constructions and different fixed interest rates
Step 2: Looking for a beautiful home in the Eindhoven region
There are a number of ways to find a suitable property in the Eindhoven region. You can browse through listings on specialised housing websites or make selections and appointments yourself.
You can also enlist the help of a real estate agent. They have access to a private housing network that contains both listed and unlisted properties. Your agent will update you on available homes based on the preferences in your personal profile. Once you have selected a number of suitable properties, there are several ways you can proceed. Roots Financieel Advies has made various agreements with local real estate agents regarding rates and communication in English. In terms of viewings, you have two options:
- You can visit the property yourself. Once you have found a suitable property, notify your real estate agent and they will accompany you during the viewing and guide you through the rest of the process. Your agent will make a valuation of the property and advise you on all matters pertaining to the buying process. They will also enter into negotiations on your behalf.
- The real estate agent can arrange a viewing for you and provide you with full service for each property you wish to visit. The agent therefore serves as your personal purchasing agent.
Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is free if you live in the Eindhoven region.
Step 3 & 4
Step 3: Buying a home in the Eindhoven region
Buying a home in the Eindhoven region primarily involves one of two property types:
1. A family home
2. An apartment
In the Netherlands, you have the right to cancel the contract of sale within three days of signing, without providing a reason. A notary is always involved in the purchase and sale of a property. As a property buyer, you can select the notary of your choice. Roots Financieel Advies can help you find a suitable local notary. This mediation service is entirely free of charge.
Buying a home and the associated costs
The buyer’s costs usually amount to roughly 6% of the purchase price.
The contract of sale
The contract of sale contains information about the property, the price, the obligations of the buyer and the seller, the date of conveyance and the guarantee.
The guarantee
The guarantee comprises a 10% deposit to the civil law notary’s escrow account. This deposit can also be paid in cash to the civil law notary’s third-party account if sufficient liquid assets are available. Another option is to apply for a bank guarantee. Roots Financieel Advies can arrange this bank guarantee on your behalf.
Clause
The contract usually includes a clause stating that the agreement is pending financing, which specifies the amount of time you have to arrange the necessary funding to allow the purchase to proceed. If you do not succeed in obtaining a mortgage within the agreed period (usually four to six weeks), you can unilaterally terminate the contract. You will, however, need a written statement from two banks confirming that they have rejected your mortgage application.
‘KK’ or ‘VON’
The purchase price is always followed by one of two abbreviations: ‘KK’ or ‘VON’. ‘KK’ means that all of the costs associated with buying a property are borne by the buyer (‘kosten koper’ or ‘purchasing costs payable by the buyer’). ‘VON’ stands for ‘vrij op naam’ or ‘purchasing costs payable by the seller’, which in most cases only applies if you are buying a new build property.
Step 4: Mortgage application
Banks issue loans based on three principal indicators:
- A personal assessment
- A mortgaged property assessment
- An assessment of your financial position
The interest rate offered by the bank depends on:
- The ratio between the property value and the mortgage amount (with the maximum amount set at 104% of the value/purchase price)
- The fixed interest period
- The National Mortgage Guarantee (which amounts to 1%)
Personal assessment
BKR assessment
This assessment determines the extent to which applicants met their financial obligations in the past, a record of which is kept at the Central Credit Registration Office (BKR).
Nationality
Some banks make a distinction between EU and non-EU citizens in their mortgage considerations.
Tax status
This is used to verify whether the applicant is a tax payer in the Netherlands and/or whether the 30% regulation applies.
Mortgaged property assessment
The bank wants to be sure the property is worth (at least) what you paid for it. They therefore require a valuation by a registered estate agent. As a rule, the bank will not finance more than 104% of the property value. Having 104% of the value financed provides you with the purchase amount plus additional costs (i.e. the ‘kosten koper’ costs).
Assessment of your financial position
The bank wants to make sure the applicant can afford to keep up the mortgage payments. Banks assess this by calculating mortgage-to-gross-income ratios (or ‘woonquotes’) to determine the percentage of overall income that can be spent on the mortgage.
Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is free if you live in the Eindhoven region.
Step 5 & 6
Step 5 Documents
Your personal information
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of your residence permit
Information on the mortgaged property in the Eindhoven region
- Copy of the purchase agreement
- Original valuation/appraisal report by a real estate agent
- Structural survey report
Information used to substantiate your financial position
- Employer’s statement
- Salary specification
- Statements of savings or loans, investment portfolios and property owned outside the Netherlands
- Confirmation of the tax department’s granting of the 30% regulation
Step 6: The notary
It is not possible to transfer property ownership in the Netherlands without engaging a notary.
Roots Financieel Advies is responsible for:
- Making agreements with several notary firms in the Eindhoven region regarding customer service, communication in English and fixed notary fees
- Checking the statement of completion submitted by the notary on behalf of clients
- Attending the transfer of title meeting, if necessary
The notary is responsible for:
- Drawing up the contract of sale
- Drawing up the deed of delivery for the property
- Drawing up the mortgage deed
- Filing the details with the public registers
- Conducting a survey
- Overseeing the settlement and transfer of funds
Step 7 & 8
Step 7: Taxation
In the Netherlands, the mortgage interest you pay over your primary residence is tax-deductible for a maximum of 30 years.
Provisional refund
Mortgage interest is usually paid on a monthly basis. For that reason, it is useful to receive your tax benefit on a monthly basis as well. That way, the balance between your monthly mortgage expenses and the tax rebate becomes your net monthly payment.
Deemed rental income
Private home ownership is deemed in the Netherlands to be an income constituent for income tax purposes. All costs, charges and depreciations associated with home ownership are therefore eligible for a tax allowance.
Home ownership and the above expenditures are incorporated as a fixed sum in the taxable (net) rental income. The payable interest and the costs associated with home acquisition debt can be deducted from the progressively taxable income from employment and home ownership (box 1).
Step 8: Insurance
Homeowners insurance ( ‘woonhuisverzekering’)
This insurance policy covers damage caused by fire, burglary, etc. The bank requires such a policy in order to establish a mortgage.
Contents insurance ( ‘inboedelverzekering’)
This insurance policy covers damage to the contents of your home due to fire, burglary, etc.
Health insurance ( ‘ziektekostenverzekering’)
Liability insurance (‘AVP’ or ‘WA’)
This insurance policy covers personal claims made against you.
Roots Financieel Advies exclusively mediates for insurance policies required for mortgage purposes. I can mediate with several insurance agencies on your behalf in the Eindhoven region. All of these insurance agencies offer English-language versions of their conditions and policies.
Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is free if you live in the Eindhoven region.
Step 9
Step 9: Aftercare
The Financial Service Subscription verifies the aftercare associated with my financial services. I offer a detailed description explaining the work involved in each step or module.
Why a Financial Service Subscription?
Most insurance policies require you to cover the additional costs and commissions associated with a financial advisor. These days, however, many financial advisors work without commission. This means you save roughly 20-25% on your insurance by paying a fixed fee (subscription) to your financial advisor, which is almost always cheaper.
Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is free if you live in the Eindhoven region.
Step 10
Step 10 Financial planning
Financial planner Eindhoven
I work as a (personal) financial planner in the Brainport Eindhoven Region. In the Netherlands, a financial planner is a practicing professional who drafts financial plans that cover various aspects of personal finance, including cash management, education planning, retirement planning, investment planning, risk management and insurance planning, tax planning, real estate planning and business succession planning (for business owners).
Objectives
People enlist my help to:
- Provide financial security and ensure that all personal finance goals are met
- Gain insight into their financial decisions
- Understand how each financial decision affects other areas of finance
- Adapt to life changes and feel more financially secure
Scope
The financial planning services offered by Roots Financieel Advies cover all of your financial needs with the ultimate aim of achieving your goals.
Process
- Step 1: Setting goals with the client
- Step 2: Gathering relevant information on the client
- Step 3: Analysing the information
- Step 4: Constructing a financial plan
- Step 5: Implementing the strategies in the plan
- Step 6: Monitoring implementation and reviewing the plan
Do you live and work in the Eindhoven region and do you plan on buying a home here? Do you have questions about my services? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your needs during an obligation-free introductory meeting. The first mortgage consultation is free if you live in the Eindhoven region.