Monique Burgemeester recently sat down with Anne-Marie Snel, a notary and owner of Prinsenhof Notarissen in Prinsenbeek, a charming village near Breda. Anne-Marie began her career in 1994 and quickly discovered her passion for notarial work. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation as a trusted notary who offers personal attention to her clients, including a growing number of expats. In this interview, Anne-Marie shares her insights into the process of buying a home in the Netherlands and highlights the critical role a notary plays in property transactions.
"Once you’ve found a property and partnered with a reliable real estate agent, the next step is to involve a notary to finalize the legal aspects," Anne-Marie explains. "The notary acts as an impartial party to review contracts and ensure that everything is handled without conflicts of interest."
You will visit the notary twice:
"In Amsterdam, the notary usually prepares the sales contract," Anne-Marie adds, "while outside Amsterdam, this is typically handled by the seller. Additionally, Dutch law requires buyers to declare the source of their funds to prevent money laundering, a process overseen by the notary."
"Yes, absolutely," Anne-Marie emphasizes. "If you don’t speak Dutch, an official translator must be present when signing the deeds, and this cost should be factored into your budget."
She continues, "Expats should also consider which laws apply to their assets as residents of the Netherlands, such as tax laws or inheritance rules. For instance, you’ll need to think about who will inherit your possessions, including your home, after your death. The notary ensures compliance with both Dutch and international laws."
For the first visit, you will need:
For the second visit, you will need:
"It’s always a good idea to check with the notary’s office beforehand to ensure you have everything in order," Anne-Marie advises.
"You officially become the owner of the house after signing the deed of transfer at the notary’s office," Anne-Marie explains. "Once the deed is signed and the notary confirms that the purchase price has been paid in full, the keys are handed over. This typically happens right after the signing, either at the notary’s office or directly with the seller."
"The Land Register, or Kadaster, is a cornerstone of the Dutch property system," Anne-Marie says. "It records all properties, including ownership, boundaries, and legal rights such as mortgages."
When you buy a property, the notary registers your ownership in the Land Register. "This makes your ownership official and protects your rights," she notes. "It’s a reliable system that helps resolve disputes and provides peace of mind."
"Expats should not only focus on the home-buying process but also consider estate planning and tax implications, particularly regarding inheritance laws. This can vary significantly depending on your country of origin, and the notary ensures compliance with both Dutch and international regulations."
Her most important advice: "Always make sure you fully understand what you’re signing."
If you’d like to learn more or get in touch with Anne-Marie, you can find her online or connect with her on LinkedIn: Anne-Marie Snel, Notary at Prinsenhof Notarissen.
With decades of experience in both small and large notary offices, Anne-Marie has developed a unique perspective on her profession. As the owner of her own practice, she provides personalized attention to every client. Fluent in English and well-versed in international laws, she is particularly skilled in helping expats navigate the Dutch real estate market.
Sta je op het punt je woning te verkopen? Dan wil je natuurlijk dat alles juridisch klopt. Eén fout zien we vaak terugkomen: vergeten een energielabel bij de verkoop van een woning. En dat kan vervelende en dure gevolgen hebben. Bij Prinsenhof Notarissen zorgen we ervoor dat jij alle regels helder voor ogen hebt en geen risico loopt op een boete.
Een scheiding regel je niet van de ene op de andere dag. Er komt veel bij kijken, ook juridisch. Maar stel dat je tijdens zo’n scheidingsprocedure overlijdt… wie zijn dan jouw erfgenamen? In sommige gevallen kan je (bijna-)ex-partner alsnog je bezittingen erven. Iets wat je misschien juist níet wilt. Gelukkig kun je dat voorkomen.
Steeds meer huiseigenaren overwegen om een groenstrook van de gemeente te kopen. Logisch: het stukje grond langs je tuin of oprit lijkt misschien klein, maar kan veel betekenen voor jouw woongenot. Toch is het belangrijk om goed beslagen ten ijs te komen, want een groenstrook kopen van de gemeente gaat verder dan alleen een handtekening zetten. Bij Prinsenhof Notarissen luisteren we naar jouw situatie, inspireren we je met inzicht in de regels en ondernemen we snel en zorgvuldig, zodat jij met zekerheid koopt.
Wil je je vraag of behoefte voorleggen aan een van onze specialisten? Neem dan contact met ons op, zodat we een afspraak kunnen inplannen.
Dat kan natuurlijk ook. Bel ons of stuur ons een mailtje. We horen graag van je.