What should you look for when buying a home in 2025?

6 tips for buying your first home

Buying a house is a big step, and good preparation prevents surprises. In this article, we share 6 essential tips to help you make the right choice.

Here are the main points of interest:

1. Budget and financial plan
2. Creating realistic housing wish list
3. Prepare well for the viewing
4. Negotiating and bidding on the house
5. Legal completion of purchase
6. Grants and exemptions for startups

Go through these points step by step and buy your first home with confidence.

Need help buying your (first) home? Turn to homeup as your buying agent. With our experience, we'll guide you through every step of the buying process, from searching to negotiating.

1. Budget and financial plan

Buying a home starts with a realistic financial plan. How much can you borrow? What extra costs will you have to pay yourself? By mapping this out well in advance, you avoid surprises and know exactly what you can spend. Below you can read what to take into account in your financial plan:

Calculate how much you can borrow in 2025

Before you start looking for a house, it is important to know how much you can borrow. This depends on your income, fixed expenses and any debts. In 2025, new mortgage standards will apply. A mortgage lender will now look not only at your gross income, but also at flexible contracts, student debt and home energy labels.

With a mortgage calculation, you get instant insight into your options, giving you certainty about your financial possibilities. That way, you'll know if you can buy a home in the price range you have in mind.

Would you like personal advice on this so you can be sure you are making the right choices? Then contact our mortgage consultants.

Own money and savings for cost of buyer

In addition to the mortgage, you need your own money to buy a house. Banks do not finance all costs, so you have to pay some of it yourself. These are the main expenses you need to consider when buying:

• Transfer tax (if applicable)
• Notary fees for the transfer of ownership
• Appraisal fee to have home value determined
• Building inspection if you want to make sure the home has no hidden defects

By 2025, the mandatory own money can quickly add up to several thousand euros. By planning this well, the purchase process runs a lot smoother. Fortunately, there are financial advantages for first-time buyers, such as exemption from transfer tax and an increased NHG limit. In tip 6 you can read exactly what schemes there are and how you can benefit from them.

Additional costs when buying a home

In addition to buyer's fees, there are other expenses that are often overlooked. Consider:

• Advisory and brokerage fees for a mortgage broker
• Cost of using a buying agent
• Renovation costs or furnishing your new home
• Any bank guarantee with your mortgage application

By including these costs in your budget in advance, you won't have any surprises.

Want to make sure you are financially prepared? Then engage homeup as your buying agent. We'll help you understand your budget, equity and additional costs so you can buy your (first) home with confidence.

2. Create realistic housing wish list

Buying a home starts with a clear picture of what you're really looking for. Without a good overview of your housing needs, chances are that you will get carried away by pretty pictures or clever sales tricks. By clarifying in advance what is important to you, you can make more focused choices and avoid making hasty decisions. Below you can read how to draw up your housing needs in a concrete and realistic way.

What are must-haves vs. nice-to-haves?

Not everything you want, you actually need. That is why it is important to distinguish between must-haves and nice-to-haves for your home.

• Must-have are the essential features your new home must meet. Consider the number of bedrooms, outdoor space, energy label or parking.
• Nice-to-haves are desires that are nice but not necessarily necessary. Consider underfloor heating, a walk-in closet or an open kitchen.

By breaking down your list into these two categories, you will make faster and easier decisions during your home search.

Finding it hard to find a home? Use the homeup search service by registering for free and we will help you find a home!

How does location affect value?

You can customize a home, but you can't customize the location. That is why it is important to think carefully about the location of your future home. Answering the following questions will give you a better oveview of what is important to you.

• Travel time to work or family. How much time do you want to spend daily commuting?
• Amenities nearby. Think supermarkets, schools and public transportation.
• Future value development. Is the neighborhood on the rise or down?

A home in a good neighborhood is often a better investment. Even if you move later, your home is still likely to retain or increase in value.

How do you prioritize your desires realistically?

To decide quickly, it's helpful to list your housing needs. This will prevent you from getting overwhelmed during a viewing and overlooking things. Make a checklist of living requirements by answering the following questions:

• What is the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need?
• Do you need a garden or balcony?
• How important is the location and what is your maximum travel time?
• Would you prefer a move-in ready home or are you willing to DIY?
• Should the house be future-proofed, such as good insulation and energy label?

Want to make sure you think of everything when determining your housing needs? Contact homeup as a buying agent and ask for home buying guidance.

3. Prepare well for the viewing

A viewing is an important moment in the buying process. This is your chance to find out if the house really suits you and to spot possible defects in time. A house may look perfect at first glance, but by looking closely and asking the right questions, you can avoid surprises after the sale. Pay attention to the following points of interest during the home viewing:

• First impression of the home - How does the house feel? Is it well maintained?
• Technical condition - Note foundation, insulation, window frames and moisture spots.
• Legal issues - Check for ground lease and how the CoE is regulated
• Ask questions - Ask about defects, renovations and monthly costs.
• Building inspection - Is an additional inspection needed to detect hidden defects?

Want to know exactly what to look for during a viewing? Then check out our extensive article on what to look out for during a viewing for a complete checklist. You can also request viewing assistance for complete advice.

4. Negotiating and bidding on the house

Buying a home is exciting, especially when you make an offer. You don't want to overpay, but you also don't want to bid too low and miss out on the home. A good bidding strategy will help you pay a fair price and increase your chances of success.

Important points in bidding and negotiation

• Determine your bidding strategy. Choose between an opening bid, counterbid or direct bidding on the asking price.
• Negotiate or make a competitive offer right away. Which approach suits the situation and the property?
• Financing Terms and Conditions. How do you protect yourself from financial risk?
• The role of a (nvm) buying agent. When can guidance get you a better deal?

Want to know which bidding strategy works best and how to increase your chances of success? Then get help from homeup as a buying agent. You can also read our comprehensive article on bidding strategies if you want to know exactly how to bid smartly and effectively.

Need help negotiating?

Buying a home is a big financial decision. Want to make sure you don't overpay and get the best deal? Let homeup help you negotiate or engage them as a buying agent, so you can buy your (first) home with peace of mind.

5. Legal completion of purchase

Have you found your home and your offer has been accepted? Before you receive the keys, there are still some legal steps you need to go through carefully. Good preparation will help you get through this phase smoothly and without surprises. Therefore, pay close attention to the points below:

Key legal concerns at conclusion

• Preliminary sales contract. What agreements are in this and what does it mean for you?
• Legal cooling-off period. You have three days to cancel the sale without cost.
  Dissolving Terms - How do you protect yourself if the sale does not go through unexpectedly?
• Role of the notary - What does the notary arrange and what should you provide?
• Key transfer and completion - When are you officially an owner and what do you need to check?

Want to know more about the legal side of buying a home? Then check out our knowledge base on legal issues for comprehensive information.

Need help with legal advice?

Buying a home is a big step. Make sure your legal matters are well taken care of. Get legal advice from homeup or get help drafting your purchase contract.

6. Grants and exemptions for startups

As a starter in 2025, you have several grants and exemptions you can take advantage of. These schemes can reduce your need for your own money and lower your monthly expenses. It is therefore smart to familiarize yourself with these benefits so that you can take full advantage of them when buying your first home.

Key benefits for startups in 2025

• Transfer tax exemption. Are you buying a home for the first time and are you between the ages of 18 and 35? Then you do not have to pay transfer tax on homes up to €525,000.
• Enhanced National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG). For a home up to €450,000 (or €477,000 with preservation), you benefit from a lower interest rate and extra security in case of financial setbacks.
• Extra loan room for sustainability. Do you want to invest in energy-saving measures? Then you can borrow more with your mortgage.
• Starter mortgage. Some lenders offer a special starter mortgage. This can be advantageous because of, for example, lower monthly fees in the first few years, extra flexibility in repayments or a more favorable interest rate in combination with NHG.
• Starter loans through municipalities. Some municipalities offer an additional loan that allows you to buy a more expensive home without immediately increasing your monthly expenses.
• Lower mortgage rates due to NHG and competition. Lenders offer competitive interest rates for first-time buyers with an NHG.

Do you want to know exactly how to take full advantage of these benefits? In our extensive article on the benefits of buying your first home, you can read all about the various advantages. Think about the subsidies, schemes and exemptions that apply to first-time buyers in 2025.

homeup helps you buy your first home

As a starter, there's a lot to consider when buying a home. homeup offers digital buying guidance so you know exactly how to bid smartly, avoid legal pitfalls and make the right choices financially.

What does homeup offer you as a starter?

• Understanding your financial options and mortgage advice
• Assistance with bids and negotiations
• Legal advice and contract monitoring

Want help buying your first home? Contact homeup as a buying agent.

Common questions when buying a house

Buying a home is a big step. Whether you are buying a home for the first time or already have some experience, there are many things to consider. From your finances and viewings to negotiations and legal matters. Good preparation will help you make smart choices. In this FAQ, we answer the most important questions so that you are well prepared for the housing market.

What all do you need to know if you want to buy a house?

Buying a house is a big step and requires good preparation. There is a lot involved, from arranging your finances to actually signing the purchase contract. The main steps are:

• Determine your financial options by looking at how much you can borrow and own money you need.
• Establish your living requirements by determining what features your new home should have and what requirements are flexible.
• Knowing what to look for when viewing a home.
• Make an offer and negotiate so you don't overpay and set the right condition.
• Check the legal finalization, such as the preliminary sales contract, notary fees and key transfer.

Is it wise to buy a house in 2025?

Whether buying a home is smart in 2025 depends on your personal situation and developments in the housing market. Many first-time buyers hesitate whether to buy or wait. It is important not to make hasty decisions and to look carefully at the pros and cons. Here are a few important factors to consider:

• Mortgage rates. In 2025, interest rates may still fluctuate. Lower interest rates mean lower monthly payments.
• House prices.Expectations of rising or falling prices may influence your decision.
• Starter benefits, such as transfer tax exemption, NHG and extra borrowing space for sustainability.
• Your own financial situation. Is this the right time for you to make a major financial commitment?

Are you unsure if this is the right time to buy a home? Hiring a buying agent can help you make an informed decision.  

What should you look for when viewing a house?

A viewing is a crucial step in the buying process. This is the time to take a critical look at the house and identify possible defects in time. Don't be guided only by the appearance, but also check the technical and legal aspects. Here are a few important points of interest:

• The first impression you have. How does the home feel? Is the maintenance good?
• The technical condition of the house. Check house defects, such as foundation, insulation, window frames and any moisture problems.
• Legal issues. Inquire about ground leases, the Owners' Association (CoE) and zoning.
• The neighborhood and neighbors around the house. Survey the neighborhood and check for nuisances.

Want to know exactly what to look out for? Then contact homeup as a buying agent for begeldeiding. You can also check out our comprehensive article on viewing a home for a complete checklist.

How much money do you need to have to buy a 300,000 house?

When buying a €300,000 house, you need not only a mortgage, but also your own money for the additional costs. This is because banks do not finance all costs. Here are the main expenses you need to consider:

• The transfer tax (2%). Only first-time buyers under 35 can get exemption.
• Notary fees and appraisal. Fees for title transfer and mortgage deed.
• A building inspection. Recommended for older homes.
• Advisory and mediation fees. For mortgage advice and legal guidance.

In total, you need on average 5% to 6% of the purchase price in your own money. That means that in addition to the mortgage, you'll need to pay about €15,000 - €18,000 yourself. Want to know exactly how much you can borrow and what costs you'll have to pay? Get help from a mortgage advisor.