Existing house

You’ve found your dream home. And you’ve come to an agreement with the seller. Congratulations! Given the Eindhoven region’s unusual housing market, getting to that point is often quite an achievement.

The verbal agreement you have made with the seller is not legally valid. That’s why the arrangements need to be set out in writing in a purchase agreement. If there is no estate agent involved in the transaction to draw up the purchase agreement for you, Schäfer Notarissen can be of service.

Making the purchase official using a deed of transfer
You’ve signed the purchase agreement and obtained financing, but this doesn’t mean the house is now your property. You only become the owner of a property once it has been officially transferred to you using a deed of transfer (in Dutch: leveringsakte), which is drawn up by a notary. The parties involved sign the deed of transfer in the presence of a civil-law notary, who then enters the deed in the land registry (Kadaster). Only then can you, the buyer, officially call yourself the proud owner of your new home.

Buying a house with a partner
If you are buying a house with a partner you live with but the two of you are not married and do not have a civil partnership, it’s important to have a cohabitation contract. This allows you to document what belongs to you and your partner jointly, and what responsibilities your share. Consider household costs, home contents and how things should be divided up in the event of death. The division of your estate can also be set out in a will. If one of you dies, this can provide tax benefits too.