# How Much Own Money Do I Need to Buy a Home?

> How much of your own money do you need to buy a home in Tilburg? Buying costs and the gap with the appraised value decide it. With a worked example.

https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/how-much-own-money-do-i-need · English

For many first-time buyers, including expats buying their first home in the Netherlands, this is one of the first questions that comes up. You may be able to get a mortgage, but do you have enough savings to cover the additional costs? The answer mainly depends on two things: the costs of buying the home and the difference between the purchase price and the appraised value of the property.

## What are the costs of buying a home?

When you buy an existing home in the Netherlands, there are additional costs involved. These may include transfer tax, notary fees for the deed of transfer and the mortgage deed, valuation costs and mortgage advice fees. You can find our current advice rates in the [comparison cards on our downloads page](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/downloads).

If you are a first-time buyer under the age of 35, you may qualify for an exemption from transfer tax, provided the purchase price of the home does not exceed the current exemption limit and you meet the other conditions. This can save you 2% of the purchase price. On a €300,000 home, for example, that means a saving of €6,000.

For expats, these costs may be unfamiliar, especially if buying a home works differently in your home country. We explain which costs apply to your situation and how much of your own money you are likely to need.

## Purchase price versus appraised value

In the Netherlands, you can generally borrow up to 100% of the appraised value of the home, rather than simply 100% of the purchase price.

If you buy a home for exactly its appraised value, your mortgage may cover the full purchase price. However, you will still need to pay the additional costs of buying the home yourself. If the appraised value is higher than the purchase price, the difference may give you additional room within your mortgage. Depending on your maximum borrowing capacity and the lender's conditions, this may help reduce the amount of your own money you need.

## How does that work in practice?

Suppose a home is listed for €290,000 and you buy it for that amount. The appraised value turns out to be €310,000. In principle, a mortgage can be up to 100% of the appraised value, which in this example is €310,000. Whether you can actually borrow the full €310,000 also depends on your income and personal financial situation.

If you qualify for the full amount, the €20,000 difference between the purchase price and the appraised value may provide room to cover some or all of the additional costs. In some situations, this means you may be able to buy a home with little or even none of your own money.

This is not possible in every situation, but it can happen more often than many buyers expect, especially with strong [purchase guidance](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/purchase-guidance) and negotiation. We always calculate exactly what is possible based on your income, the property and your personal circumstances.

## What if you do need your own money?

If you need your own money to buy a home, there may be several options. Savings are the most obvious one, but financial help from parents or family members can also play a role. A gift from parents can be used to cover the additional costs of buying a home. In some situations, a family loan may also be an option. We look at how this affects your mortgage and which solution best fits your situation.

For expats, financial help from family members abroad may require some additional attention. We help you understand what is possible and what documentation may be needed. Want to know first what this means for your maximum mortgage? Read [how much can I borrow as an expat](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/how-much-can-i-borrow).

## How much of your own money will you need?

Every situation is different. Your income, the purchase price, the appraised value of the property and any financial help from family all play a role. We calculate exactly how much of your own money you are likely to need and explain the available options clearly. This is especially useful for expats who are unfamiliar with the Dutch mortgage and home-buying process.

Plan a free consultation with us. We will work out what is possible for your situation, so you know exactly where you stand before making an offer on a home.