Why do you need a notary in Amsterdam?
Why you need a notary in Amsterdam
In this article, we will explain the need of a notary in Amsterdam. Realizing your dreams of owning your own home is satisfying, but the purchase of buying a house is an important decision in life, but becoming the owner is not that simple.
In Amsterdam, it is customary for the notary to draw up the purchase agreement after which it is signed by both parties at the notary’s office. Subsequently, the notary takes care of the implementation of the stipulated agreements as laid down in the agreement. The notary records this in a deed of delivery.
Only after signing the deed at the notary’s office and registering the deed in the public registers of the Land Registry, you are the owner of the new house! If you take out a loan for the purchase, a mortgage deed will usually also be required.
The mortgage deed gives the lender (usually a bank) the certainty that you meet all your contractual obligations. A mortgage deed is often required when you already own a house but want to borrow extra money. The mortgage deed will also be registered in the public registers of the Land Registry after it has been signed at the notary’s office.
In most cases, the buyer determines which notary is involved in the transfer. Whether or not a broker is involved in the transfer, you can always contact the notary directly for advice or consultation about other matters such as family law.
NOTE: all the money involved in a housing transaction travels via the escrow account of the notary, no third parties are involved.
Do you have any questions about a notary in Amsterdam? Ask our Experts.
Questions About the bidding proces? Ask Monique Burgemeester
About bidding for a property in the Netherlands
The bidding process for a property is relatively easy if you use a real estate agent. He or she can help you to place a good bid, based on the market value and not on the asking price. It is not done to bid on more than one house at the same time.
If you place a bid and your bid is accepted, the seller (or the seller's agent) will usually negotiate exclusively with you. If your bid is not what the seller expected he or she will decline the bid and you are free to make another bid. The seller can accept other bids if your bid is declined.
Bidding for a property the process
In this overheated market, the seller often arranges for a tender. That means that all interested buyers have one change to present their best bid before a certain closing time. After that closing time, the seller will pick the best and will proceed with the buyer who has won the tender. Bidding is not only about the price. The preconditions are also important for a seller. Flexibility, % percentage of restrictions on finance and also knowing you actually can pay for the house are things sellers will be happy with.
Your bid has succeeded
If you won the bid: HURRAH!!!, but not too loud. A verbal agreement or email confirmation is not binding for the seller and buyer. It is a gentlemen’s agreement and in The Netherlands, it is common to shake hands and stick with it, but … only a signed purchase agreement is legally binding. So, make sure you will sign the purchase agreement asap and keep your fingers crossed!
After signing a purchase agreement the seller has to keep his or her fingers crossed because the buyer has a 3 working days consideration time. We call that a cooling off period or in Dutch: “3 dagen bedenktijd”. During that period the buyer may cancel the agreement without any reasons or costs.
WARNING: Do not bid without restrictions of finance if you cannot afford it. If you need more information, please feel free to send us an email
At How To Buy A House we regularly hold events in the Netherlands for expats who are thinking about buying a home in the Netherlands. Check out our home page for the event's agenda.
We also have an active Facebook community group where you can ask any questions you may have about buying a home in the Netherlands. Feel free to join our Facebook group.