Frequently asked questions about property

Look beyond the décor and colour scheme. Consider natural light, layout, maintenance, signs of damp, cracks, window frames, roof, installations, insulation, energy label and noise from the surroundings. Ask about alterations, defects, ownership arrangements and the completion date. For an apartment, the Owners' Association documents are also important. If you are seriously interested, arrange a second viewing where possible and take your own buying agent with you.

A good offer suits both the market value and your financial limit. Compare recent sales, the property's condition, location, energy label, competition and necessary investment. The asking price is not automatically the value. Set your maximum and preferred conditions in advance. A buying agent can analyse comparable sales and help you assess which offer is both realistic and responsible. You can also view the current properties for sale.

Common conditions include obtaining finance, an acceptable outcome from a structural survey, the sale of your own home or approval of specific documents. The conditions you need depend on your situation and the property. Without suitable conditions, you take on more financial risk. Before making an offer, discuss with your buying agent and mortgage adviser which wording, amounts and deadlines are appropriate.

When a private buyer purchases a home, the sale generally only comes into existence once buyer and seller have signed the written purchase agreement. Circumstances may change until then. Exceptions and other types of buyers or properties may be treated differently. Always make sure agreements are recorded clearly and ask your estate agent what applies in your specific situation.

As a private buyer of a home, you normally have a statutory cooling-off period of three days after receiving the signed purchase agreement. At least two of those days must not be a Saturday, Sunday or recognised public holiday, so the period can sometimes be longer. During this period, you can withdraw from the purchase without giving a reason. Always ask your estate agent or notary to confirm the exact end date.

After an introductory meeting, there is usually an inspection of the property, followed by valuation and sales advice and a proposal for presentation and planning. Photography, property information, publication, viewings and offers are then arranged, among other things. Your estate agent discusses the candidates and negotiates on your behalf. Once an agreement is reached, the purchase agreement, any conditions, inspection and completion at the notary follow. View our full approach to selling your home.

The asking price is determined from the estimated market value, recent sales, location, property type, living area, condition, energy label, outdoor space and current demand. The chosen sales strategy also plays a part. A competitive asking price can generate more interest, while a price that is too high can delay the sale. The asking price is therefore a marketing choice and does not have to be the same as the eventual sale price.

Create a calm, spacious and light feel, with a well-presented first impression. Put away personal belongings, carry out small repairs, clean the windows and bathroom, and pay attention to the entrance, garden or balcony. Major renovations are not always worthwhile just before a sale. Your estate agent can advise which improvements are likely to make a difference for your home and how it can best be presented for photography and viewings.

This varies by property, neighbourhood, price range, condition and market conditions. The asking price, presentation and terms of sale also affect the selling time. An average therefore says little about your home. After inspecting your property, a local estate agent can give a realistic expectation based on comparable listings and recent transactions. For an indication, you can also view the properties we have recently sold.

When selling most homes, you must make a valid energy label available to the buyer. The label must generally also be shown in the sales advert. Some special types of building are exempt. Check in good time whether your current label is still valid; an energy label is normally valid for ten years. If there is no valid label, have one established by a certified energy adviser before the sale.

During a free market appraisal, a local estate agent looks at your home and gives a well-founded indication of its current sale value and a possible sales strategy. The meeting is intended to help you understand your position in the market and does not oblige you to sell immediately. Easily request a free market appraisal for your home in Leiden or the surrounding area.

A market appraisal is an estate agent's assessment of the potential sale value and helps with plans to sell. A property valuation is a formal, more extensive valuation report that is often needed for a mortgage, renovation, divorce or inheritance. You cannot use a market appraisal where a lender requires a validated valuation report. Read more about our property valuations.

Important factors include location, property type, internal and plot area, layout, year of construction, maintenance, finish, energy label, outdoor space and parking facilities. Ground lease, Owners' Association information, legal matters, current demand and recent sales also play a part. In Leiden, differences between neighbourhoods and even streets can be substantial. A local estate agent therefore always combines property information with knowledge of the immediate area.

An online calculation can provide an initial indication, but it does not know the current condition, finish, layout and exact location of your home. For unusual properties, recent renovations or few comparable sales, the deviation may be greater. For sales decisions, a visit from a local estate agent is more reliable. They can inspect the property, interpret recent transactions and explain which sales strategy suits your situation.

No. A market appraisal is also useful if you are simply exploring your options, want to know how much equity you may have or are deciding between renovating and moving. During the appointment, explain your goal and timescale. The estate agent can then tailor the advice accordingly. If you later decide to sell, you can reassess the value and strategy against the market at that time.

A valuation report is often needed when buying or refinancing a home, increasing a mortgage for renovations, divorce, inheritance or other financial and legal situations. The client determines which type of report and validation are required. Explain what you need the valuation for in advance, so the valuer can check whether the instruction is suitable and feasible.

The valuer gathers information, inspects the property and assesses, among other things, its location, areas, condition, amenities, sustainability and legal particulars. They then compare the property with relevant transactions and substantiate the market value in a report. To prepare properly, documents are often needed, such as ownership information, floor plans, renovation details and, for apartments, Owners' Association documents. Ask about the current process via Property valuations.

No. The valuation is a substantiated opinion of market value at a particular valuation date. The purchase or sale price results from negotiations between the parties and may be higher or lower. Emotion, competition, special conditions or time pressure can cause a difference. When arranging finance, the lender considers the valuation report and its own lending criteria, not only the agreed purchase price.

Its validity depends on the purpose and the requirements of the lender or other receiving party. Many organisations accept only a recent report, because the market and the property can change. Before instructing the valuation, ask which maximum age and type of validation are accepted. This prevents you from obtaining a report that does not meet the requirements of your mortgage application or file.

A valuer must be able to work independently and without a conflict of interest. The selling or buying agent therefore cannot automatically carry out the formal valuation for the same transaction as well. The applicable independence rules depend on the instruction and the report. REMAX Makelaarsgilde can check which valuer is suitable and explain clearly how sales support and valuation remain separate.

Your maximum mortgage depends, among other things, on your income, contract type, financial commitments, interest rate, mortgage term, property value and sometimes the energy label. The outcome is personal and can change if interest rates or rules change. Have your budget calculated before making an offer. Through our mortgage advice page, you can meet a mortgage partner and find out which monthly payments suit you.

How much you can borrow is limited by both your income and the value of the property. Additional costs, such as advice, the notary, valuation and possibly transfer tax, usually have to be paid from your own funds. If you offer more than the appraised value, that difference is generally not fully financeable either. A mortgage adviser can calculate in advance how much of your own money you will need in your situation.

A finance condition is a condition in the offer and purchase agreement. It normally states the required finance amount, the deadline and how you must evidence a refusal. If you cannot secure the finance and meet the agreed conditions, you may be able to withdraw from the purchase. Make sure the amounts, deadline and evidence requirements are carefully agreed in advance.

Nationale Hypotheek Garantie, usually called NHG, is a safety net for mortgages that meet the current conditions. Subject to conditions, NHG can help if circumstances mean you can no longer afford your housing costs, and it can also affect the interest rate. The cost limit and conditions are adjusted periodically. A mortgage adviser can assess whether your purchase qualifies and whether NHG is suitable for you.

This can sometimes be possible, for example with sufficient income, your own funds or bridging finance based on expected equity. You may then temporarily have two sets of housing costs, while the final sale proceeds are not yet certain. Have your financial capacity calculated first and discuss a realistic sale value and schedule with your estate agent. This lets you make an informed choice between buying first, selling first or combining both processes.

No, not always. Check the mortgage conditions, insurance, Owners' Association rules, municipal regulations, any permits and tax consequences. In Leiden, rules may differ according to the property, location and type of letting. Have what is permitted checked before advertising the property. On the letting your property page, you can read how REMAX Makelaarsgilde supports you.

Rent does not depend only on supply and demand. The points system, floor area, WOZ value, energy label, amenities and current rental rules can determine the maximum permitted rent. The type of agreement and sector are also relevant. Have an up-to-date rent check carried out before letting. This reduces the risk of charging too much rent, corrections or a dispute with the tenant.

A careful letting process starts with a clear presentation and transparent selection criteria. Candidates provide relevant information about their identity, income and living situation, after which this information is assessed carefully. The selection must be objective and non-discriminatory. No check removes every risk, but a professional file, clear agreements and a good inspection reduce the risk of problems.

That depends on the type of property, the tenant, the purpose of the letting and current legislation. Temporary letting is not automatically permitted, and agreement types have different conditions and consequences. Do not simply use an arbitrary template from the internet. Establish in advance which agreement is legally appropriate for the situation, and clearly record the rent, service charges, deposit, use, maintenance and handover.

You must comply with rules on good landlordship, rent, deposits, information provision, maintenance, service charges and transparent tenant selection. Municipal permits or rules for property conversion, room letting and purchase protection may also apply. Letting rules change regularly. Professional letting support helps you arrange the right checks and documents before you start.

When letting most homes, the owner must make a valid energy label available to the new tenant and show the label in the advert. A label is normally valid for ten years. In addition, the energy label can affect the permitted rent level within the points system. Check well before letting that a valid, correctly registered label is in place.

Property management can include contact with tenants, rent collection, identifying payment arrears, coordinating repairs, inspections, administration and support with the annual settlement. The exact activities depend on the management agreement. With property management, you retain oversight as an owner while tenants have a clear point of contact for practical matters.

Letting support focuses mainly on finding a tenant, screening, the agreement, inspection and key handover. Property management starts or continues during the tenancy and covers day-to-day contact, payments, maintenance and administration. You can combine both services or choose support only for the part you want to outsource. The arrangements are clearly recorded in advance.

The manager receives reports, assesses urgency and agrees who is responsible under the law and the agreement. Where necessary, a specialist contractor is appointed and the owner remains informed. Major or non-urgent expenditure is normally discussed first in accordance with the management agreement. Urgent matters require swift action to limit damage or unsafe situations; clear authority for this is agreed in advance.

Good management identifies arrears quickly and contacts the tenant in line with the agreed procedure. Payments, reminders and agreements are recorded. If payment is not made, further debt collection or legal support may be needed. The manager takes legal rules into account and informs the owner about the next steps. A manager cannot eliminate payment problems, but can act early and in a structured way.

Yes. The management agreement sets out which tasks the manager carries out independently, when your approval is needed and how often you receive reports. You can gain insight into rent payments, reports, work carried out and relevant documents. Clear budget limits prevent surprises. This lets you outsource daily activities without losing oversight of your property and important decisions.

We work in Leiden and surrounding towns, including Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, Rijnsburg, Valkenburg, Voorschoten, Warmond, Wassenaar and Zoeterwoude. On our service area page, you will find an overview of all neighbourhood and regional pages. There you can read more about living, property types and the local market in the area that is relevant to you.

Property prices and interest can differ by municipality, neighbourhood, street and property type. A local estate agent knows recent transactions, amenities, accessibility, target groups and points to consider that are not fully apparent from public data. This knowledge helps with a realistic valuation, suitable asking price, focused presentation and responsible offer. In Leiden, the difference between neighbourhoods a short distance apart can be considerable.

That depends on your budget, property preferences, family situation, accessibility and need for peace, green space or urban amenities. Leiden Centrum differs from, for example, Stevenshof, De Merenwijk, Roomburg or Professorenwijk. First make a list of your essential requirements and preferences, and explore neighbourhoods at different times. Use the neighbourhood pages within our service area as a starting point for your search.

Pay extra attention to foundations, damp, timberwork, roof, installations, insulation, suspected asbestos-containing materials and previous alterations. For a listed building or protected townscape, alterations may require a permit. Check both structural and legal information, and set aside a maintenance budget. A structural survey and support from an estate agent with local experience are often particularly valuable for this type of property.

Yes. Our estate agents are active across a wide region around Leiden and can also use the REMAX network. If you are looking outside our immediate service area, discuss your destination and housing requirements with us. We will consider which local specialist can support you best. You can also read more about REMAX and the combination of local entrepreneurs with a wider network.

REMAX Makelaarsgilde is an estate agency in Leiden where independent estate agents work together. You have a local specialist as your regular point of contact while also benefiting from shared knowledge, marketing opportunities and the wider REMAX network. From our office on Levendaal, we support clients with buying, selling, letting, management and property valuations. Read more about our office.

An independent REMAX estate agent is personally responsible for supporting your instruction and building their own local reputation. This gives you direct communication and clarity on whom to contact. At the same time, the agent does not work alone: colleagues share knowledge, listings and contacts. This combines personal involvement and local expertise with the support of a wider network.

Yes, normally one estate agent supports your instruction and acts as your regular point of contact. Where specialist knowledge is needed, a colleague or external expert may be involved. You know in advance who does what and how you will stay in touch. This keeps the process personal and clear, while you can still benefit from the knowledge and experience across the whole office.

We can help with buying-agent support, selling your home, a free market appraisal, property valuations, letting and property management. We can also introduce you to a mortgage partner. Depending on your needs, we will put you directly in touch with the right local specialist.

Consider local experience, availability, clarity of explanation, sales or buying strategy, services and transparent fee arrangements. Ask who will be your regular point of contact and how they will keep you informed. A good working relationship needs trust and expectations that are clear on both sides. Meet first, ask practical questions and compare more than just the proposed amount or fee.

Get in touch and briefly tell us whether you want to buy, sell, let, arrange a valuation or are simply exploring your options. We will put you in touch with an estate agent with suitable local knowledge. During the meeting, you can discuss your situation, requirements, schedule and possible next steps. You are not committed to anything. Go to contact to arrange an appointment or ask us your question directly.