Interview
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Challenges of Expats – Interview of the month January

This month I introduce you to a wonderful English lady, named Alison Mills. From London, England, to now living in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Enjoy her true story ☺ Each month, I write these interviews, revealing great stories and advise. If…
house prices
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Highest increase in house prices in 7,5 years

Existing houses for sale were 3.8 percent more expensive in November this year than a year ago. This is the biggest rise on an annual basis in 7,5 years, according to the CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de statistiek) and the Kadaster. Since the…
Mortgage interest rates
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Mortgage interest rates still at historic low

Are you planning on buying a house in the Netherlands? For a while now house buyers can benefit from very low interest rates. The reason is the rate at the capital markets have been at a historic low. Before the summer it seemed that…
Property types

Property types in the Netherlands

Housing in the Netherlands The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, with almost 400 people per square kilometre. With little available space, houses at the lower and middle end of the market tend to be fairly…
Rental prices in major cities skyrockett (Photo ANP)
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Rental prices in major cities skyrocket

Rental prices in the private sector are going through the roof in the major cities. In Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht rents were 7% higher compared to the same period last year, in Rotterdam even 9%. Pararius.nl came forward with these figures…
Spaarne

House of the month: Spaarne 51C, Apartment in Haarlem

Renting house

Renting a house in the NL? Why you need to come prepared

Over the past few months the sales market for properties has gone up tremendously. This has a direct effect on the rental market. Many of the houses that are now being sold, were rented out in the past couple of years because owners were not…
home
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Home away from home

What is home? Is it a place? Is it the people around you? Or is it the objects that you carry with you to make your home. When does the new country start to ‘feel’ like home? These are some of the questions I am trying to investigate through…
knocker
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COME KNOCKING

Door Knockers add character to any door, it is a feature that carries the characters of the culture and how you knock on a door. Some countries don’t have door knockers, only door bolts, does that say anything about them, like minimalist or…
Home utilities (Photo: Edwin van Eis)
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A guide to setting up home utilities in the Netherlands

When you are moving to a new home in the Netherlands there are many things to arrange. For example, you will need utilities in your home - think of water, electricity, gas, internet and TV. In a new country, where you are unfamiliar with the…

House of the month: Oude Groenmarkt

low interest rate

5 effects of record-low interest rates: how can you benefit?

Written by Henk Jansen of Expat Mortgages What do historically low interest rates mean for you and how can you take advantage?  Record-low interest rates are making headlines all over Europe, while investors scramble with glee to lock…
expats Haarlem Housing
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expatsHaarlem introduces you to our new Housing manager

Nathalie will coordinate the expatsHaarlem Housing section. In this section you can read everything you need to know about the reasons to move to Haarlem, renting or buying a house in Haarlem, articles about the latest developments in the Housing…
Dutch stairs
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My troubles with Dutch stairs

Since I have been in the Netherlands, I have troubles with stairs. I fell down  from the stairs of my house several times, the last one just yesterday: I slipped down and  I made the last five steps with the lower back. I can assure you that…
cleaning
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The best 5 tips for effective speed cleaning

As an expat mother, I do not always have the time and /or the energy to keep the house clean. While we are running after the children, trying to keep the deadlines and work and still squeezing friends visit in our weeks, it is one of the nightmares…
house netherlands
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Looking for a house in the Netherlands: you’re not doing it right

You are in the Netherlands. Great! You are one step from realizing all your dreams! Well, you think you are but I’ll not be the one to tell you that actually you’re (so) wrong. Anyway, now that you’re here, you probably need to find…
energy lable
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Energy label mandatory for all properties in the Netherlands – And this time they really mean it!!

Actually, in 2008 it was already mandatory but, as it was rather complicated and no one was checking if you had it or not, everyone sort of agreed to ignore it!  However: From 1 January 2015 all properties in the Netherlands need an…
energy label

The energy label is mandatory! (from 01 januari 2015)

What is an energy label? An energy label shows how energy efficient your home is. For example, there is information about your floor insulation, Windows and heating. Homes with an A label are the energy- efficient. Homes that get the least…
What changes in 2015? The main new laws and taxes
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What changes in 2015? The main new laws and taxes

As every year, a string of changes to taxes, employment law, housing and other laws come into effect on January 1. Most were announced in the September budget or were scheduled in previous years. Here is a round-up of the main changes. Work The…

Rental house of the month: Wagenweg

Wagenweg, Haarlem
expatsHaarlem proudly presents: expatsHaarlem Housing
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expatsHaarlem proudly presents: expatsHaarlem Housing

The expatsHaarlem Housing section is the latest service of expatsHaarlem.  In this housing section you can read everything you need to know about the reasons to move to Haarlem, renting or buying a house in Haarlem, articles about the latest…
Increased number of Expats to the Netherlands discover Haarlem to be a much better (and cheaper) alternative to Amsterdam
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Increased number of Expats to the Netherlands discover Haarlem to be a much better (and cheaper) alternative to Amsterdam

According to a recent report from nu.nl the number of properties in Amsterdam sold and the price increase in the first 3 quarters of 2014 is comparable to the pre crisis years 2005-2008.  Wonderful news generally everyone, the economy is reviving! …

Renting a place: What fees you should (not) pay your mediator.

When you're renting a house using a real estate agent or an intermediate often you will be asked to pay not only intermediation costs, but also all kinds of additional fees. Read this so you won't pay for anything you're not supposed to (legally)…
Cost of renting a home in Amsterdam reaches record levels
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Cost of renting a home in Amsterdam reaches record levels

The cost of renting a home in the free sector in Amsterdam has never been so high. It has reached record levels, with a rise of 5.6% in the previous quarter, according to research by rental agency Pararius. Remarkably, the rents in the rest…
Home is a place you can tell about…(Photo: Bertolda)
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Home is a place you can tell about…

He was a chubby kid. He wasn't pretty but with one of those faces with regular features and intense eyes that will always let him find a girlfriend. I would look at him even with please if he wouldn't have had his ass nailed on the bench. It’s…
Second quarter 2014: house prices in your area (Photo: ANP)
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Second quarter 2014: house prices in your area

The average house price rose in the months of April, May and June by 3.5 percent, according to the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents NVM (Nederlandse Vereniging van Makelaars). But what is happening concerning house prices in your…
Amsterdam 12th most expensive expat city in Europe
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Amsterdam 12th most expensive expat city in Europe

Last month Mercer released its annual Cost of Living City Rankings. The global survey ranked Amsterdam as the 39th most expensive city for expats worldwide and the 12th most expensive within Europe. Cost of Living City Survey Mercer's…
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Amsterdam 11th in worldwide quality of life index

According to Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey, Amsterdam's quality of live has improved, coming in 11th overall in the Mercer 2014 Quality of Living rankings. Previously, the city reached the 12th place.  The Quality of Living Survey Mercer’s Quality…
House prices rise in the Haarlem area (Photo: NVM)
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House prices rise in the Haarlem area

For the first time in three years, house prices have increased on year basis. Houses were in the first quarter of this year 1.2% more expensive compared to the same period last year. This is what the Dutch Association of Estate Agents NVM announced…
Housing costs in Haarlem lowest, Zandvoort biggest riser. (Photo: RTL Nieuws)
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Housing costs in Haarlem lowest, Zandvoort biggest riser

The Association Owned House, put the housing costs for 2014 in all Dutch municipalities in a row. A comparison between the municipalities in South Kennemerland shows that Haarlem has the cheapest housing costs. Zandvoort shows a huge increase,…