The search for a new home is an exciting journey, but it also raises a number of financial questions. One of the most commonly heard terms during this process is ‘buyer’s costs’. But what does this term actually mean, and what additional expenses do you need to take into account on top of the agreed purchase price? At Overspaern Makelaardij, your trusted NVM estate agent in the Haarlem region, we explain this to you clearly and straightforwardly, so that you know exactly where you stand financially in 2026.
Buyer’s costs, commonly abbreviated to ‘k.k.’, is the collective term for the statutory costs you incur to become the owner of an existing property. The seller does not bear these costs; they are borne entirely by the buyer. These costs usually amount to between 4 and 6 per cent of the property’s total value. It is important to note that, from 2026, you will no longer be able to include these costs in your mortgage. You must therefore have sufficient funds of your own to complete the purchase. Fortunately, with the right preparation and expert purchase guidance from Overspaern Makelaardij effectively prevent any financial mistakes.
These costs are made up of a number of fixed and optional components. It is essential to distinguish clearly between these to avoid any surprises at the notary’s office.
In addition to these statutory costs, there are often also financing costs, such as the costs of the mortgage deed, the valuation costs for a validated NWWI report and, where applicable, the costs of an independent adviser. Our down-to-earth approach and the excellent reviews from our active customers demonstrate that transparent guidance at this stage brings a sense of calm to a hectic market.
Good preparation is half the battle when buying a property in the Heemstede region. As you’ll have to cover the additional costs yourself, it’s wise to work out your budget carefully in advance with an independent adviser. That way, you’ll know exactly how much you can afford to bid and avoid unnecessary stress during the bidding process. As a friendly and hard-working family of estate agents, we’re here for you every day to guide you through this complex process. We warmly invite you to an informative an introductory meeting with our estate agents to discuss your personal situation and wishes in a practical and down-to-earth manner.
‘Costs payable by the buyer’ means that all statutory costs necessary to officially transfer the property into your name are borne by the buyer. This mainly concerns the transfer tax and the notary’s fees for the deed of transfer.
Costs associated with taking out a mortgage, such as the notary fees for the mortgage deed, the fees for the independent mortgage adviser, the valuation costs for the NWWI report and the commission payable to your own estate agent are not included in the statutory buyer’s costs, but are part of the total additional costs.
Unfortunately, the actual costs incurred by the buyer, such as stamp duty and the notary’s fees for the deed of transfer, are not tax-deductible. However, the costs you incur in arranging the financing, such as valuation fees and notary fees for the mortgage deed, are usually fully deductible for income tax purposes.
On average, you should allow for a figure of between 4 and 6 per cent of the purchase price of the property to cover all additional costs. As you will no longer be able to include these costs in your mortgage in 2026, you will need to pay this amount in full from your own savings.
No, as a rule, you buy a new-build property on a ‘free of charge’ basis. This means that the seller pays the transfer tax and the notary’s fees for the deed of transfer. However, you will have to pay any costs associated with taking out your mortgage yourself.
