Home insurance

A home insurance is an insurance which insures your home against damage from different external factors like fire, storms and burglary. For everyone who owns a residential property with a mortgage, a home insurance is mandatory. You must have a home insurance from the day the house is officially transferred. During the final inspection and at the notary’s office, you’ll be asked to confirm you have a home insurance.

There are different types of home insurances depending on how extensive and expensive you want the insurance to be:

Extended insurance: covers against damage from for example: fire, explosions, lightning, storms, burglary and vandalism.

Extra extended insurance: covers against the same damage as the ‘normal’ extended insurance, but also includes things like water damage, smoke and soot damage and damage due to defect water piping.

All-risk insurance: extra insurance against all damage that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs under the influence of external factors.

The expenses for one of these insurance policies depend on multiple factors like the reconstruction value, location and condition of the house. Often your mortgage advisor is able to help you with a suitable home insurance. Otherwise there are various options available online.

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out to us at info@jagervastgoed.nl

by Sjouke

The purchase protection regulation

The city of Utrecht now has a so called ‘purchase protection regulation’ regarding already existing houses. This means that if you purchase a house, you may not rent out the house for at least 4 years.

Since the 1st of July 2022 it is now prohibited throughout the entire city of Utrecht to rent out a house with a WOZ value up to and including € 487,000 after the purchase. This new rule is established as a result of the big amount of pressure the housing market in Utrecht is experiencing. The amount of houses available is decreasing, while the house prices are increasing. This makes it difficult for people to find an affordable house in Utrecht.

There are 5 exceptions to the purchase protection regulation:

• Someone may still rent out a purchased house to first- and second-degree relatives (parents, children, brothers and sisters)
• someone may temporarily rent out a purchased house, for a maximum of 12 months, for example if the owner is going on a long trip
• someone may rent out a purchased house as a company residence
• new housing projects in which renting agreements have been made
• in which the rental of a house is important (the Municipal Executive decides), for such an exception a permit is required

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out to us at info@jagervastgoed.nl

Source: municipality of utrecht

by Sjouke

3-day cooling off period

How does the 3-day cooling off period exactly works?

When the purchase agreement has been signed by both the buyer and the seller, the purchase is a fact. Nevertheless, the buyer can still cancel the purchase after signing the contract: thanks to the legal cooling-off period and resolutive conditions. This is for private individuals only, when there’s a business entity involved, different rules apply.

After signing the purchase agreement a buyer has a legal cooling-off period of three days. During these three days, the buyer can cancel the deal without providing a reason and without any costs. Unless agreed in the purchase agreement, there is no cooling off period for the seller.

When you decide to pull out you have to inform the selling party (preferably selling agent and seller). A written confirmation is always best to avoid potential discussions afterwards. The selling party needs to be informed before the colling down period expires.

When does the cooling off period end?

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out to us at info@jagervastgoed.nl

by Sjouke

When does your agreement to buy a house become official?

When does your agreement to buy a house become official?

A verbal agreement is an official agreement, but since 2003 you can only buy a house with a written contract. This is noted in article 7:2 of the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek). Everything that has been verbally agreed between buyer and seller regarding the sale of the house must be written down in a contract. So in case of any misunderstandings both parties can always refer to the signed contract.

Nowadays, houses in Utrecht are often sold by ‘deadline’. The buyer is selected when all bids have been received by a given date and time. After the buyer’s bid has been accepted, there are still some steps to take before celebrating. The deal is only official after both parties have signed the contract.

Does this then mean, the verbal agreement of your dream house isn’t worth anything? No. It’s worth something, but between the verbal agreement and signing of the contract (usually around one week) anything could happen. Both parties are legally able to cancel the verbal agreement without having to provide any reason. This is for private individuals, when there’s a business entity involved, different rules apply.

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out to us at info@jagervastgoed.nl

by Sjouke

History of our (former) office building 'Villa de Oorsprong'

Original article (in Dutch).
Source: DUIC and written by author Arjan de Boer.

Villa De Oorsprong: a rich source of stories

Recently there have been flexible workplaces in the monumental villa at the Oorsprongpark, previously a real estate agency. The further back in time, the more colourful the inhabitants: Reformed elderly, noble widows and (future) mayors. The villa took on its current form around 1880, but there are still parts from 1823. The basement is said to be the source of the Vecht.

Villa De Oorsprong was built by Unico Cazius (1766-1832, shown here with his family. He descended from a patrician family and became wealthy because King William I granted him an exclusive patent on "Amsterdam cement", mandatory for public works such as locks and fortresses. Cazius was also steward general of the knightly Balije of Utrecht.

Cazius had bought the old inn Het Boompje at the end of Biltstraat and Maliebaan. He replaced it in 1823 with an empire-style mansion with a high center section and two side wings. In the current hall of Villa De Oorsprong there are still plaster decorations that probably date from the early period, such as capitals and consoles. Maybe they were originally gilded.

Parks

Around the house, Cazius had a park built by landscape architect Hendrik van Lunteren, with an Eastern arbor and a goldfish pond. Some trees from that time are still there. Van Lunteren also designed the park of the adjacent country estate Het Hoogeland. Both outdoor areas connected to the Nieuwe Baan, a park-like extension of the Maliebaan. In 1874, peace was disrupted: the Oosterspoorbaan cut through the park and gardens. There was a level crossing and a stop at Biltstraat.

Vecht Well

The name De Oorsprong refers to the origin of the river Vecht, which was situated here in the 19th century. In the basement of Villa De Oorsprong there is another well that is said to be the "Vecht Well"! That is of course not correct, but the thought is not as crazy as it seems now.

The Oude Vecht ended at the villa: the water that runs through the current Griftpark and along the Alexander Numankade, and is now called Biltsche Grift. However, the actual Biltsche Grift is a dug sailing route to De Bilt. Both watercourses converge at Villa De Oorsprong. Originally, the Oude Vecht will have continued and connected to the Kromme Rijn via the Minstroom. However, the old river courses in the city of Utrecht are a source of much debate.

Extensions

In 1879, Lord Binnert de Beaufort bought Villa De Oorsprong. He gave Cazius's mansion even more allure by building a floor on top of both wings, making them the same height as the center section. A triangular extension was added at the front. The whole was decorated in eclectic style and got a high mansard roof with dormers. When De Beaufort became mayor of Baarn and Eemnes in 1885, the family moved to Villa Peking. Later the nobleman became mayor of The Hague.

In 1886, De Oorsprong and surrounding land came into the possession of the Boshouwers family, heirs of a contracting company that specialized in bridges and fortresses. Their "Maatschappij De Oorsprongbouw" built at contiguous mansions at the Oorsprongpark, designed in neo-renaissance style by Derk Semmelink. Franciscus Boshouwers also had the villa expanded by a southern part with a veranda and a tower with a second staircase. This gave the house its characteristic asymmetrical shape.

Interior photos

We know what the interior of De Oorsprong looked like in 1889 thanks to a special photo album, kept in the Rijksmuseum. The photos were taken by squire Henry Pauw van Wieldrecht (1863-1912) from Zeist, one of the country's first amateur photographers. He mainly recorded his family life, hobbies and trips abroad, but also photographed the interiors of acquaintances.

In De Oorsprong, Henry immortalized the drawing room, the dining room and a children's room. What is especially striking is how full everything was: people suffered from ‘horror vacui’, the fear of the empty, and they fought it with dark furniture, heavy carpets, curtains and many paintings. Fortunately, the children's room was much brighter, with rattan furniture, but also with numerous frames on the chimney and on the wall.

Work girls

At the turn of the century, De Oorsprong was inhabited by the dowager Van Weede van Dijkveld-Schuyt and then Mrs. Muller-Doude van Troostwijk. Only these genteel ladies did not live in the big villa; they were surrounded by personnel. For example, in a 1928 ad, Mrs. Muller asked a "Kitchen Work Girl" and a "Second Girl", "preferably P.G. [Protestant Disorder], able to cook and work well, wages according to ability ".

In photos from the early 20th century, Bilstraat still looks quiet near De Oorsprong, although the electric tram to De Bilt and Zeist stands out. But in 1927 there was an "unsatisfactory traffic situation": pedestrians, cyclists, cars and trams often had to wait a long time at the level crossing, while there was little space. The city council considered a tunnel under the railway, which would be at the expense of the Hooglandse Park. Moreover, Villa De Oorsprong had to be partly demolished! Fortunately, a bridge and road widening was chosen.

Retirement home

The last noble resident of De Oorsprong was J.H.E. Baron Van Nagell, until he became Mayor of Doorn in 1936. Then the villa got a striking new destination: as a retirement home. The Foundation for the Care of Reformed Elderly managed to accommodate 56 beds in the "rest home". Some of the "elderly helpers" also lived internally. In each bedroom there were six to eight beds with a chair in front.

The residents had no items of their own, other than their clothes and a single painting above their bed. One of the rooms was furnished as an infirmary, while the en-suite salon downstairs served as a recreation room. It was tight, but in the meantime the "old days" survived. In good weather they sat on the veranda or shuffled through the garden.

In 1963 it was decided to thoroughly convert De Oorsprong into a nursing ward. However, after "extensive study" it was realized that the building was unsuitable. There would be a new, modern nursing and care home in Overvecht, but that would take years. The Origin has meanwhile been modernized somewhat. For example, a stairlift was installed and curtains were placed between the beds for some privacy.

Lawyers and estate agents

In 1970 the elderly moved - by bus - to the new nursing home Warande on the Neckardreef; quite a transition. The Origin was purchased by the University of Utrecht, which housed the Institute for Constitutional and Administrative Law, previously located at Maliesingel. The spaces were used as study and study rooms and a library.

The legal scholars left in the early 1990s. The building was renovated and converted into an office. Elongated windows were added to the very wide roof molding, making the attic with its high roof more usable. This unusual intervention was possible because the villa was only protected as a national monument from 2001 onwards. The new user was Zadelhoff Makelaars, who stayed there for almost 25 years.

Flex workspaces

After the departure of DTZ Zadelhof, the villa was taken into use in the summer of 2016 by Regus, a large international provider of flexible workplaces. The interior has been renewed for this purpose in a style that is midway between business and hip, but retains original elements such as the hall and the staircase with antique fountain.

In addition to permanent and flexible office spaces, Regus Oorsprongpark offers meeting rooms and a "business lounge" for professionals and freelancers. In this way, contemporary participants are again added to the historic parade of construction entrepreneurs, barons, the elderly, administrative law professors and business estate agents.

by Sjouke

Coronavirus & Housing Market

We are all talking about the Coronavirus at the moment. What is going to happen, what will the effect be for the Dutch economy and housing market? Right now it’s difficult to estimate what the exact consequences are going to be for the property prices, viewings, mortgage interest rates and the availability of houses to buy.

Viewings are still taking place even though it could be in a different form with limited people present during a viewing or via a live video call.

According to Vereniging Eigen Huis "It is too early to predict that house prices will fall. It is clear, however, that house prices may rise less rapidly due to the corona crisis. This could calm the overheated housing market in many places. However, the structural shortage on the housing market is not suddenly over. It is plausible that more potential buyers will temporarily step in place."

Even for experts, the long-term consequences of the corona crisis on the housing market is a big question mark. We are hopeful, that when normal life takes its course again, the housing market will also normalise.

We wish everyone who is confronted with any form of the coronavirus all the best and a lot of strength!! If you would like to know more about the measures we take or if you have any other questions about the housing market, you can reach us at info@jagervastgoed.nl.

Take care and stay safe!

by Sjouke

What is National Mortgage Guarantee?

The Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee scheme is unique in Europe. It helps you take out a mortgage that is affordable and responsible from the start. And if you do run into problems meeting your payments due to circumstances beyond your control, the National Mortgage Guarantee may provide a safety net for you and your mortgage lender.

The National Mortgage Guarantee is referred to in Dutch as ‘NHG’ or ‘Nationale Hypotheek Garantie’.

Make sure your mortgage matches your income
When you take out an NHG-backed mortgage, you know for sure that your mortgage matches your income. That’s because your mortgage meets the criteria for responsible lending and borrowing set by the National Institute for Family Finance in the Netherlands (NIBUD). So you know for sure that you’re not borrowing more than you can afford. After making the monthly mortgage payment you’ll still have money left for other expenses like groceries, insurance and your savings account.

Safety net if you can no longer pay your mortgage
If you have an NHG-backed mortgage and can no longer pay your mortgage due to specific circumstances beyond your control, you and your mortgage lender can turn to us for support.

The specific circumstances under which NHG comes into operation are:

• if you lose your job
• if your relationship ends
• if you become disabled for work
• if your partner dies

NHG is a guarantee provided to the mortgage lender (for example the bank) by a government-backed foundation, the Homeownership Guarantee Fund (Waarborgfonds Eigen Woningen or WEW). If your circumstances change for reasons beyond your control, the NHG may provide a safety net for you to fall back on when times are tough.

NHG limit changes to €355,000 in 2022
Starting from 1st January 2022, the NHG cost limit for homes without energy-saving facilities will increase from €325,000 to €355,000. For homes where energy-saving provisions are made, the cost limit is 6% higher, at € 376,300. For the NHG, which ever is the lowest, the purchase price (excluding movable goods) or appraised market value, is leading with regard to the cost limit.

Sourch: NHG

by Sjouke

Housing Event Utrecht Region

A FREE housing event in Utrecht to provide you all the information you need when buying a house in the Netherlands. Meet the experts and get answers to questions regarding your personal circumstances.

Meet the experts of:

• Rabobank Utrecht
• Independent Expat Finance
• Sjouke Jager Vastgoed
• Stadsdaemes OG
• TrustanBouw
• Expatax

At this housing event, you will find all the information you need by attending one of the professional plenary presentations or by getting into 1 on 1 contact with reliable service partners. There will be estate agents, mortgage advisors, a bank, contractors and tax advisors present to provide all the information you might need during the process of buying a house.

When: Sunday, June 3, 2018
Where: Rabobank building, Maliebaan 15, Utrecht
Time: 13:00 - 17:00
Parking: Free public parking spaces
Registration: FREE

Don't worry about bringing your children, there will be professional nanny service.

Register for free here.

by lastmoment

Nothing beats Utrecht

The city centre of Utrecht was founded by the Romans and its ancient city centre features many buildings and structures several dating as far back as the High Middle Ages. Most people don’t realize that it’s a lot older than Amsterdam, Leiden or Delft. Utrecht was the most important city in the Netherlands until the Dutch Golden Age.

Utrecht is host to Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands, as well as several other institutions of higher education. These institutions take care that there is a big influx of young and fresh students every year. Which results in a huge number of (coffee)bars, hip restaurants, and quirky shops. The place is buzzing all year round.

Due to its central position within the country, it is an important transport hub for both rail and road transport. So for business travellers and corporate expats Utrecht city centre is perfect to live in!

by lastmoment

Recently rented

Beautiful apartment in medieval grain warehouse

Very glad we have been able help the Birbil family to find the rental house they’re looking for in Wittevrouwen neighbourhood and a temporarily stay at the Canal Garden apartment for a smooth transition coming from Turkey.

Another employee of the Utrecht University was referred to me for help to find a home in Utrecht. Coming over from Turkey in February 2018 Pinar required a rental house in Utrecht for her husband and two kids going to school in Ondiep. We found her a beautiful rental house in Wittevrouwen neighbourhood. Before they can move in they’ll stay in a beautiful apartment situated in a former medieval grain warehouse.

by lastmoment