Buying a house impossible, or not?

Are you wondering how you can ever get a house in this housing market? You're not the only one. For many people, buying a house seems impossible, but is that really the case for you? In this article, you'll find 9 tips for increasing your chances on the housing market. 

Go directly to:

• Tip 1: Investigate if you can buy in another city
• Tip 2: Investigate if you can get a starter loan
• Tip 3: Enlist the help of your parents (if possible)
• Tip 4: Safely bid without financing clause
• Tip 5: Consider buying a house with someone else
• Tip 6: Investigate if you can get an expensive rental mortgage
• Tip 7: Activate your network
• Tip 8: Pay off your student debt
• Tip 9: Make an application for buying a house with Duokoop
• Tips for finding a suitable rental property

Also stay informed about the new rules for mortgages in 2024 and the government plans for medium rent by Hugo de Jonge. 

Tip 1: Investigate if you can buy in another city

Can you get a mortgage, but is it impossible with your budget to buy a house in the city of your choice? Take a look at the house prices in other regions and consider cheaper places. With good public transport or a favorable location (close to a highway), the distance may well be manageable. You often get more 'house' for your money if you don't search in the most popular living areas.

On our city pages we keep the current square meter price for you per city. Look up your city and compare the square meter price with other cities. Or even better: make an appointment with a purchase real estate agent. Look at your housing wishes together and investigate in which cities you can find a suitable home for your budget.

Tip 2: Investigate if you can get a first-time buyer's loan

Are you a starter on the housing market and is it impossible to buy a suitable home with your budget? Consider whether you qualify for a first-time buyer's loan. A mortgage advisor can assist you with this. This loan was created to provide additional financial support to starters when purchasing a home.

If you meet the conditions, you can get this additional loan on top of your regular mortgage. The first-time buyer's loan bridges the gap between the purchase price of your home and the maximum mortgage you can get at this time.

During the first 3 years, you don't have to pay interest and repayments. After these 3 years, you will pay interest and repayments, provided that your income permits this. If this is not the case, you can request a reassessment to adjust the monthly charges to your income.

The intention is that you have fully repaid the loan after 30 years. If this is not possible, for example due to your income, then you have to repay the remaining debt in one go after this period. In practice, this often involves taking out a new mortgage. If this is not possible, then you have to sell your house. If you sell your home earlier, you must repay the first-time buyer's loan at that time.

Read more about the first-time buyer's loan

Buying a first house as a starter

All costs when buying a house

The cost of a real estate agent (2025)

The costs of mortgage advice

Tip 3: Enlist the help of your parents (if possible)

There are several ways your parents can help you purchase a house. Of course, if their financial situation allows it. For instance, they can give you a gift, lend money through a family bank structure, and act as guarantors for a generation mortgage. These methods can allow you to get a higher mortgage amount from the bank.

Also, if your parents have the means, they can buy a second property and then rent it to you. You then pay rent every month, just like you would with a regular rental property. Make sure you have clear agreements and everything is accurately recorded by the notary. If you both agree, you can also discuss whether or not to buy the property in the future.

In our article about buying a house with your parents, we further explore the different possibilities. Or for parents: read the best tips to help your child buy a house.

Tip 4: Safely make an offer without a financing reservation

If you have already made several offers but are consistently outbid by others, it's important to establish contact with the right mortgage advisor. Choose an advisor who has direct connections with one or more banks.

These advisors can act quickly and quickly provide clarity about your mortgage possibilities. The advantage of this is that you can make an offer on a house without a financial reservation. Within the legal cooling-off period, you can still back out of the purchase if the financing does not go through.

This makes you an attractive buyer for sellers, as it reduces the risk of a sale falling through due to financing problems. With the right advisor you increase your chances of having your offer accepted, even if it is not the highest bid.

Bidding on a house: how does it work?

Legal cooling-off period when buying a house

Dissolving conditions

How to dissolve a purchase agreement

Tip 5: Consider buying a house with someone else

Is it impossible for you to buy a house alone? Consider the option of buying a house with someone else. For example, with your parents or with a good friend. Together, you can contribute a higher amount, making more possible. The threshold for buying a house is therefore lowered.

But beware: you are entering a long-term financial commitment with each other. Make an appointment with a purchase Real estate agent, mortgage advisor and/or financial advisor and get good advice. In addition to the financial part, also consider the impact on your relationships.

Tip 6: Investigate if you can get an expensive rent mortgage

Have you been paying a high rent for years, but are you not eligible for a mortgage with much lower costs? Then see if you qualify for an expensive rent mortgage. This mortgage was brought to the market not too long ago by a number of mortgage lenders.

They thought it was unfair that some tenants pay a substantial amount of rent every month, while it is impossible for them to buy a house. To qualify for the expensive rent mortgage, you must have paid high rent for at least 3 years. The rent must consume at least one third of your net income per month.

In addition, you must meet a number of other conditions. For instance, you should not have had any payment problems, it helps if you have savings, and your prospects in the job market must look good. Make a appointment with a mortgage advisor to discuss your options.

Comparing mortgage advisors

Mortgage conversation

The costs of mortgage advice

Tip 7: Engage your network

Don't underestimate the power of engaging your network! Your friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances may have valuable connections that could enable you to find a suitable house at a good price. It may now seem impossible to buy a suitable home in your price range, but miracles are still possible in the world.

In some cases, people are in a hurry to sell a house. They prefer a quick sale, preferably to someone they know (through others). The selling price is then of secondary importance. Consider the situation where a property from an inheritance needs to be sold quickly, someone has already moved abroad or quickly wants to get rid of his or her double living costs.

Your network can also tip you off about houses that are not yet officially on the market. In addition, personal recommendations and references can strengthen your position as a buyer, as sellers often prefer reliable and trusted buyers. 

Tip 8: Pay off your student debt 

Outstanding student debt means you can borrow less from the bank. How much less you can borrow depends on whether you fall under the old or new system. On our page about buying a home with a student debt you can read more about it.

In the past, mortgage providers used the starting amount of your mortgage debt. They did not take into account the monthly repayments you had already made. This often resulted in being able to borrow thousands of euros less, even if you had already paid off a (large) part.

From 1 January 2024, the original amount of your student debt will no longer be used, but the actual costs of your debt. The more you have paid off, the more you can borrow. Just make sure you keep enough savings for the cost of buying a house.

Tip 9: Apply for purchasing a house with Duokoop

To increase your maximum borrowing capacity, you can apply for purchasing a house with Duokoop. With this structure, you buy a house together with the Duokoop fund, where the fund buys a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 40% of the house value. Duokoop lends you the land. This structure thus seems a bit like leasehold.

Every month, you pay the fund a fee for use. You can deduct this amount from your taxes. You pay this amount in addition to your mortgage repayment and interest. If you want, you can buy the Duokoop part over time. You then become the full owner.

Are you interested in this structure? Contact a mortgage advisor and get informed about the conditions and risks. For more information, visit duokoop.nl. 

Tips for finding a suitable rental property

If buying is really impossible for you at this moment, but you also can't find an affordable rental property? Then consider the following options.

Tip 1: Investigate whether you qualify for a social rental property

Although the waiting lists for a social rental property can be long, it may be worth registering. These properties are rented by housing corporations and are often cheaper than properties in the private sector. Note: you must meet certain conditions to qualify for a social rental property.

Tip 2: Investigate whether you qualify for government aid

Depending on your situation and location, you may be eligible for various forms of government assistance. Think of receiving housing allowance or financial support for housing. If you have financial worries and are about to lose your home, you can apply for an urgency statement from your municipality. With such a declaration, you get priority for a social rental property. 

Tip 3: Explore alternative living forms

Finally, you can look at alternative living forms. For example, you can consider co-housing, where several people share a house and split the costs. Perhaps the concept of anti-squatting is also interesting for you. Here you temporarily live, often at low costs, in vacant properties. In this way, the vacant property has a good temporary purpose and is also protected against squatters.

Read more

Buying a house with a mortgage and student debt

Buying a house with your parents (5 ways)

Buying a first house as a starter

Selling a rented house with tenant

Everything you need to know about a purchase real estate agent

What to do if you're unable to sell your house?

Rent or buy a house?

7 tips to increase the chance of an accepted offer

Helping your child buy a house (6 ways)