- Blog
Buying your first home is an exciting and special time in your life, but it’s also a period in which you need to consider a wide range of factors and expenses.
A large part of these costs is obvious, such as the purchase price of your home and the expenses involved in actually moving.
But there are also costs you may not have considered, yet unfortunately still have to pay.
We’ve listed these costs for you so you have a better idea of what to expect.
Mortgage advisor
Buying a home really starts with having a good and reliable mortgage advisor. A good mortgage broker will take the time to properly list what is possible and give you high-quality financial advice.
Because it’s extremely important to know whether your dream home is actually within reach and up to what amount you can reasonably make an offer.
You can usually include your mortgage advisor’s fees in your mortgage application, and you can have these costs estimated in advance.
Buying agent
A buying agent acts on behalf of the buyer and takes care of the entire purchasing process. For example, the agent assesses the property’s value, the legal aspects, and the structural condition.
The agent conducts negotiations with the seller’s agent and aims to secure the lowest possible price for you as the buyer, under the most favorable conditions.
A downside of using a buying agent is that it costs extra money—money you might prefer to put toward your new home instead.
A benefit, however, is that this agent can likely save you money in the end — by identifying defects, negotiating effectively, and possibly finding a home that hasn’t yet appeared on the major listing websites.
Want do you want to know how much a buying agent will cost you? Then it’s worth doing some research — there are differences in what agents charge. Some apply a percentage of the purchase price, while others set a fixed fee.
In any case, talk to a few agents, ask about their terms and fees, and then see which one fits you and your budget.
Notary
When buying a home, you always need a notary. Here too, choose a notary who suits you! A notary close to home can be convenient, especially if you need to visit the office multiple times.
But pay attention to the price as well. As the buyer, you’re allowed to choose the notary yourself, and notaries set their own fees.
So make sure to request several quotes and compare them. Keep in mind that the quoted amount is usually excluding VAT. Also check carefully which services are included in the proposal. This will help you avoid unexpected costs later on.
Helaas kun je de notariskosten niet meefinancieren, deze vallen onder de kosten koper.
Appraisal costs
When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will request an appraisal report for your new home. This report provides assurance about the property’s value.
The cheapest option is a hybrid appraisal. In that case, the appraiser determines the value of your home based on online data, without visiting the property in person.
The costs for this are usually between 100 and 300 euros.
Costs of a structural inspection
A structural inspection provides clarity about the technical condition of your new home and any repair costs you should take into account.
Such an inspection isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended if you want to avoid unexpected costs later on. The costs generally range between 350 and 600 euros, depending on factors such as the location and size of the property.
Insurance
Something you may not have considered yet — but which is also very important — are the additional insurance policies that are often required or strongly recommended when taking out a mortgage. After all, you don’t just get a mortgage. Lenders set clear conditions that you must meet.
For example, when it comes to your income — but often also by requiring you to take out certain insurance policies. The lender wants to be sure that you will actually repay the loan and interest, even if something unexpected happens in your life. Think of things like:
- Home insurance (building insurance): A building insurance policy covers everything that is permanently attached to your home. Mortgage lenders almost always require you to take out this insurance as a condition for getting a mortgage.
- Mortgage payment protection insurance: If you become incapacitated for work or unemployed, it often has major financial consequences. Your income drops, but your housing costs remain the same. With mortgage payment protection insurance, you ensure that you can continue paying your mortgage. This type of insurance is therefore also called mortgage protection, and it is not mandatory.
- Life insurance (mortgage protection insurance): Lenders also want to limit the risk of something happening to you. That’s why taking out a life insurance policy is a common requirement when applying for a mortgage.
For which portion of your mortgage you’re required to take out life insurance varies by lender.
- Liability insurance: Liability insurance covers damage caused to people or property. This applies even if you didn’t cause the damage yourself but are legally held responsible for it.
This insurance isn’t mandatory, but we definitely recommend it! The costs of potential damage can be substantial, while the monthly premiums are usually quite manageable.
- Legal assistance insurance: With legal assistance insurance, you’re covered for legal support in the form of advice or representation. This insurance is also not mandatory.
- Disability insurance: The amount you insure depends on your financial situation. If you become unable to work, the insurer will pay out the insured amount each month to cover your housing costs.
You’ll receive this for a predetermined number of years. In addition to coverage for disability, you can also insure yourself for a payout in the event of unemployment.
Additional costs
Then, in addition to the points above, there are all kinds of additional costs you’re probably not aware of. It’s wise to put these costs down on paper as well.
Think of things like:
- The settlement of ownership-related costs — this refers to the financial adjustment between the seller and the buyer for expenses tied to the property. This is usually handled by the notary during the property transfer, with the buyer paying the costs from the transfer date onward, and the seller receiving a refund for their share.
Ownership-related costs include, for example, property taxes and water authority charges.
- Buyer’s costs — these are expenses you must pay out of pocket and unfortunately cannot include in your mortgage. Buyer’s costs always include the transfer tax (2% of the purchase price in 2025), the land registry fees, and the notary fees.
If you’re buying a newly built home, these costs don’t apply and the property is delivered “free on title” (v.o.n.).
Note: Are you a first-time buyer and under 35 years old? Then in 2025 you don’t have to pay transfer tax if you buy a home priced under 525,000 euros.
Mortgage2Go
Have you mapped out all the costs? And would you like certainty about the maximum amount you can borrow for a mortgage, and have your financing almost fully arranged before you start house hunting?
Then Mortgage2Go offers the solution. With a pre-checked mortgage, your financing is almost fully secured, and you can be confident that you’ll be able to afford your dream home.
Within two business days of your accepted offer, your financing is then complete and finally approved! Start your application for a pre-checked mortgage and see whether you qualify.
