Property valuation for a mortgage
Why do you need a property valuation for a mortgage in the Netherlands? Learn how an NWWI appraisal affects how much you can borrow.
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To take out (or refinance) a mortgage in the Netherlands you need a validated property valuation report. The lender uses the appraised value to decide how much you can borrow, because your home is the collateral for the loan. Here is why the valuation matters and how it affects your mortgage.
What is a property valuation?
Once your bid is accepted and the preliminary sales contract is signed, you have the home appraised. An appraiser estimates the value based on the property itself and the local housing market, and substantiates that value in an appraisal report. You then send that report to your mortgage lender. For a mortgage the report normally has to be validated by the NWWI.
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Why a valuation is needed for the mortgage
Your home serves as collateral for the mortgage loan, so the lender wants to know exactly what it is worth. Since 2018 you can borrow at most 100% of the home value, which means the appraised value directly caps how much you can borrow. The valuation therefore feeds straight into your maximum mortgage.
Appraised value versus purchase price
The bank bases your maximum mortgage on the lower of the appraised value and the purchase price.
- If the appraised value is higher than the purchase price, there is no problem: your maximum mortgage equals the purchase price.
- If the appraised value is lower than the purchase price, your maximum mortgage equals the appraised value, and you have to cover the gap with your own money or surplus equity.
Example: appraised value higher than purchase price
- You buy a house for €250,000
- The appraised value is €260,000
- Your maximum mortgage is €250,000
Example: appraised value lower than purchase price
- You buy a house for €250,000
- The appraised value is €240,000
- Your maximum mortgage is €240,000
- You cannot borrow the €10,000 difference and must pay it yourself
This is why it helps to get a sense of a home's value before you bid. An appraised value well below the purchase price means you need extra savings, so it is worth estimating the value early.
What does the valuation cost?
A validated valuation report costs roughly €500 to €900 in 2026, and prices vary per appraiser. The good news: when you need the report to arrange your mortgage, the cost is a tax-deductible financing cost. See our full breakdown of what a property valuation costs.
Choosing an appraiser
An appraisal is usually carried out by an estate agent, but never by the buying or selling agent for that specific home, as they are not objective. Your buying agent or mortgage advisor can recommend a good appraiser, or you can choose an independent one yourself.
Whichever you pick, make sure the appraiser is affiliated with the NWWI. A report with the NWWI seal is accepted by virtually all lenders and is mandatory for an NHG mortgage.
Yes. To take out or refinance a mortgage in the Netherlands you need a validated appraisal report, because the lender bases the loan on the home's value.
Your maximum mortgage is then capped at the appraised value, and you have to cover the difference with your own savings or surplus equity.
If you need the appraisal to arrange your mortgage, the cost is a deductible one-off financing cost in your income tax return.
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