On paper the process of buying a property is quite straightforward. The key to keeping it that way is in the amount of preparation you do. The first step is to approach a mortgage broker and get all your finances in order. A mortgage broker will be able to advise you about how much financial assistance you can expect to receive from a bank and which documents will be needed. Usually you will have to provide an employment contract; if your contract is for a set period of time you will need a ‘werkgeversverklaring’ from your employer stating that they intend to keep you on at the end of the contract. You may be asked to provide tax records and proof of income for the previous year. If you’re freelancing, you will be expected to show three years’ worth of records. Once you know how much the bank will lend you to spend on your house it’s time to start looking. Narrow down the areas you’re interested in and choose an agent (see the section on real estate agents for more information). There are several sites online that enable you to search on your own: www.funda.nl is one of the largest. Some agents (makelaars) will offer a flat rate to handle the negotiations and paperwork for you when you find a house, while others will handle everything and charge from 1%-2% of the sale price. Once you’ve found your property you can begin negotiations to make an offer, but you’ll have to be fast as the market is competitive. You may have to take part in an ‘inschrijfaanbod’, which is a type of silent auction with everyone who is interested simply making an offer on paper by a certain date. In Amsterdam it’s important to have all the information about the house as soon as possible. There are several things to check: when the foundations were last examined, what the housing association is like, and whether all permits for garden houses and roof terraces are in order. If your offer is accepted you will sign a temporary contract that lays out all the particulars of the sale, which is for the protection of both parties. Once you sign this contract both parties have 72 hours in which to cancel the agreement. Failure to cancel during this period can mean you will forfeit the 10% of the sale price that you must arrange to be transferred to the bank within three weeks of signing the temporary contract. If you go ahead with the purchase you can inspect the property and arrange for the final contract to be drawn up by a notary, ready to be signed on the day of delivery.