Dutch buyers risk thousands by skipping home inspections
Many Dutch homebuyers are bypassing essential checks, including structural inspections, financing conditions, and VvE reviews, in a competitive housing market, raising the risk of major financial losses.
A survey of 1,000 buyers by De Hypotheekshop found nearly three-quarters feel pressured to sign quickly. Multiple offers push sellers to favor buyers who can act fast. The study showed 26 percent skip structural inspections, 18 percent waive financing conditions, and 9 percent skip VvE checks.
“While this increases buyers’ chances with the seller, it exposes them to risks that can result in tens of thousands of euros in losses and years of financial hardship,” Martin Hagedoorn, manager at De Hypotheekshop, told De Telegraaf.
Structural problems can cost more than 100,000 euros to fix, and buyers who sign without a financing condition face a 10 percent penalty of the purchase price if financing fails. Skipping a VvE review can also lead to surprise costs for overdue maintenance or renovations. A VvE check is an inspection of a building’s homeowners’ association (Vereniging van Eigenaren) to review its financial health, maintenance plans, and potential future costs for shared property.
Hagedoorn noted that energy upgrades, poorly maintained VvEs, and foundation issues have made risks higher in recent years. The survey found 14 percent signed contracts without reading all documents, and 38 percent admitted, “I don’t understand everything, but I’ll sign anyway.”
“Buying a house in this overheated market can bring huge relief. But that sense of euphoria can cause attention to risks to fade, sometimes only becoming apparent years later,” Hagedoorn told De Telegraaf.
