The Dutch housing market has had its ups and downs in the past few years, so is it better to buy or rent? How do you know what’s the right thing to do in your personal situation? ABN AMRO, specialised in expat banking, can give you tailor-made advice.

Expats are not always sure how long they will stay in one place or country. This makes it important to to think carefully about buying or renting a house. Renting in the privately-owned sector is very expensive. But buying isn’t always beneficial either.

Buying or renting
Are you renting a house at this moment? Then this might be the right moment to buy a house. The low mortgage interest rates and house prices are tempting, while private sector rents are increasing. On the other hand, the decreasing house prices can lead to uncertainty. Will they drop even further, and is now the right time to buy? Before making a decision, it is useful to take a look at the pros and cons. Which aspects are important for you? By carefully considering your wishes, you will discover what fits you best.

Pros and cons of buying a house
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a house. One advantage is the fact that you can rebuild and furnish the house to your own wishes. You also build up your own equity and when you have completely repaid your mortgage, the house will be yours.

But there are also a couple of disadvantages. You will have a lot to arrange financially. You also are responsible for the maintenance of the house and the costs will be higher because of the extra insurances and taxes. If you are sure of staying in the same place for a long period of time, then buying might be the best option.

But what about renting?
In some situations, renting is a better option than buying. If you rent, you can cancel your lease and move out quickly, and the homeowner is responsible for the maintenance of the house. The increasing rental prices and the limits to how much you can change in the property are among the disadvantages. Are there uncertainties about how long you are likely to stay in the Netherlands? If so, renting might be the best option for you.

ABN AMRO the bank for expats
ABN AMRO is the leading Dutch bank for expats. Our employees not only understand the language, they also understand your situation. They know everything about the financial rules and regulations for expats. They can give you tailor-made advice about buying or renting a house. Read more on www.abnamro.nl/house

You can also contact the bank for other matters. When opening an account you will receive a complete package to manage your account: a debit card, a credit card and various tools for online banking. Other benefits include:

• 24/7 full service in English
• Internet banking, apps and documentation in English
• Financial advice in many other languages
• Worldwide access to personal accounts
• The ability to open an account without a BSN (citizen service number)
• Detailed knowledge on rules and regulations for expats
• Expert advice on payments, savings, insurance, credit, mortgages, loans and investments

About ABN AMRO
ABN AMRO is a full-service bank with many years of international experience. As the leading Dutch bank for expats, we have detailed knowledge of all financial and insurance rules and regulations international clients encounter. We make sure you don’t have to worry about your banking matters. Please visit one of our four International Client Desks or www.abnamro.nl/en to make an appointment with one of our experts.

Disclaimer:
This article contains general information which has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. This article therefore does not give you personal advice on whether or not to do something. Any decisions you make purely based on the information on this article will be at your own risk. We would be happy to help you if you do want personal advice. Simply get in touch with us through the website, by telephone or by visiting a bank branch to make an appointment.