A daily audio course you can listen to anywhere: on your commute, on a walk, over coffee. Every lesson is a real conversation, and you say the phrases out loud yourself, all inside WhatsApp.

Buying a Dutch House – HearSay

Dutch B1

Master the competitive Dutch housing market with this advanced audio course. Practice listening to real estate jargon and speaking with agents on the go.

Lessons

The Dutch housing market
Liam meets with Sanne to understand the basics of the housing market in the Netherlands.
Vocabulary
- de aankoopmakelaar (the buying agent)
- de verkoopmakelaar (the selling agent)
- de huizenmarkt (the housing market)
- het aanbod (the supply/listings)
- bezichtigen (to view a house)
- de makelaar (the real estate agent)
Objectives
- Navigate the Dutch Housing Market
- Understand the roles of buying and selling agents
Viewing a property
Liam attends his first house viewing and learns how to ask the right questions.
Vocabulary
- de plattegrond (the floor plan)
- de vierkante meter (the square meter)
- het bouwjaar (the year of construction)
- het energielabel (the energy label)
- de buurt (the neighborhood)
- de bezichtiging (the viewing)
Objectives
- Read real estate listings
- Ask questions during a house viewing
The appraisal process
Sanne explains how the value of a property is determined in the Netherlands.
Vocabulary
- de taxateur (the appraiser)
- de waardebepaling (the valuation/appraisal)
- het taxatierapport (the appraisal report)
- de marktwaarde (the market value)
- schatten (to estimate)
- de taxatie (the appraisal)
Objectives
- Understand the appraisal process
- Discuss property valuation
Crafting a bidding strategy
Liam and Sanne discuss different ways to place a competitive bid on a house.
Vocabulary
- een bod uitbrengen (to make an offer)
- de biedingsstrategie (the bidding strategy)
- de inschrijving (the tender process)
- de open veiling (the open auction)
- overbieden (to overbid)
- de koopprijs (the purchase price)
Objectives
- Execute a bidding strategy
- Differentiate between bidding procedures
Making the offer
Liam gets ready to submit an offer before the strict deadline.
Vocabulary
- de biedtermijn (the bidding deadline)
- de sluitingsdatum (the closing date)
- het tegenvoorstel (the counter-offer)
- onderhandelen (to negotiate)
- het startbod (the starting bid)
- de uiterste datum (the final deadline)
Objectives
- Submit an offer on a house
- Understand bidding deadlines
Winning the bid
Liam receives good news and learns about the transparency of the bidding process.
Vocabulary
- gunnen (to award the deal)
- de mondelinge overeenstemming (the verbal agreement)
- het biedlogboek (the bidding log)
- de bevestiging (the confirmation)
- de winnaar (the winner)
- accepteren (to accept)
Objectives
- Discuss verbal agreements
- Interpret official documentation like the bidding log
Legal protections
Sanne walks Liam through the legal rights of a home buyer in the Netherlands.
Vocabulary
- de koopakte (the purchase deed)
- het schriftelijkheidsvereiste (the requirement for written agreement)
- de wettelijke bedenktijd (the legal cooling-off period)
- tekenen (to sign)
- bindend (binding)
- de koper (the buyer)
Objectives
- Understand legal protections
- Explain the cooling-off period
Adding contingencies
Liam learns how to protect himself by adding specific clauses to his offer.
Vocabulary
- de ontbindende voorwaarden (the resolutive conditions/contingencies)
- het financieringsvoorbehoud (the financing contingency)
- de bouwkundige keuring (the structural inspection)
- het gebrek (the defect/flaw)
- annuleren (to cancel)
- de verbouwing (the renovation)
Objectives
- Identify contingencies
- Describe resolutive conditions for an offer
Mortgage basics for expats
Liam prepares his documentation to apply for a mortgage as a foreign resident.
Vocabulary
- de hypotheekverstrekker (the mortgage lender)
- de hypotheekofferte (the mortgage offer)
- de verblijfsvergunning (the residence permit)
- het arbeidscontract (the employment contract)
- de rente (the interest)
- de lening (the loan)
Objectives
- Apply for a mortgage as an expat
- Understand documentation requirements
Mortgage types and options
Liam evaluates the different kinds of mortgages available to him.
Vocabulary
- de rentevaste periode (the fixed-interest period)
- de lineaire hypotheek (the linear mortgage)
- de annuïteitenhypotheek (the annuity mortgage)
- de NHG (the National Mortgage Guarantee)
- aflossen (to pay off)
- de maandlasten (the monthly costs)
Objectives
- Choose a mortgage type
- Discuss interest rates and guarantees
Buyer's costs
Liam and Sanne calculate the extra fees associated with buying a house.
Vocabulary
- de overdrachtsbelasting (the property transfer tax)
- de kosten koper (the buyer's costs)
- de notaris (the notary)
- de makelaarscourtage (the agent's fee)
- de advieskosten (the advisory fees)
- financieren (to finance)
Objectives
- Manage financial obligations
- Identify the buyer's costs
Tax deductions and guarantees
Liam explores tax benefits and sets up financial security for the seller.
Vocabulary
- fiscaal aftrekbaar (tax deductible)
- de waarborgsom (the security deposit)
- de bankgarantie (the bank guarantee)
- de inkomstenbelasting (the income tax)
- het eigenwoningforfait (the imputed rental value)
- de spaarrekening (the savings account)
Objectives
- Discuss tax deductions
- Understand bank guarantees
The final countdown
Liam prepares for moving day and learns about the final property inspection.
Vocabulary
- de schadevergoeding (the compensation/indemnity)
- onherroepelijk (irrevocable)
- de eindinspectie (the final inspection)
- de meterstand (the meter reading)
- de sleutel (the key)
- verhuizen (to move houses)
Objectives
- Prepare for the transfer of ownership
- Understand penalties for backing out
Finalizing the purchase
Liam heads to the notary to officially become a homeowner in the Netherlands.
Vocabulary
- de overdracht (the transfer of ownership)
- de akte van levering (the deed of delivery)
- de koopovereenkomst (the purchase contract)
- de notariële akte (the notarial deed)
- passeren (to execute a deed at the notary)
- de eigenaar (the owner)
Objectives
- Finalize a purchase
- Describe the steps at the notary

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