House Hunting Netherlands
House hunting in the Netherlands can be an exciting and stressful experience at the same time. It is important to keep an eye out for scams and to be vigilant in your search for the perfect home. The old adage “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is” is particularly relevant when searching for a new home.
One common scam in the real estate industry is the use of ghost companies. These companies often advertise homes for rent or sale at prices that seem too good to be true mostly on facebook but they are also known to roam on the site pararius.com.
However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that these companies have no registration with the chamber of commerce and are not legitimate real estate companies.
It is important to do your research and work with reputable real estate companies and agents. Before working with a realtor, be sure to check their credentials and verify that they are NVM licensed and are at the very least registered with the KvK (Dutch chamber of commerce). Additionally, be sure to thoroughly research the property you are interested in and visit it in person before making any decisions.
If the property is being rented out by a private person make sure this person has not been offering numerous properties with the same specifications as the one you found but in different cities or in the same city at regular intervals (every week/month).
Another red flag to watch out for is when a private landlord ask you to transfer money before you have seen the property or met them in person. This is a scam and you should be wary of any landlord who asks for money before you have had a chance to view the property.
In summary, while house hunting can be an exciting experience, it is important to be vigilant and keep an eye out for scams. Always be sure to do your research and work with reputable real estate companies and agents. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, so be sure to thoroughly research any property and visit it in person before making any decisions.
If in doubt contact us.