The Advantages of Hiring a Buying Agent

The biggest advantage of a buying agent (aankoopmakelaar) is that you get a market expert on your side who finds the right homes faster, judges them objectively and negotiates a better price than most buyers can on their own. In the Dutch market — where homes regularly sell above asking price — that edge often outweighs the agent's fee. Here are the main benefits, step by step.

Creating a search profile

When you start working with a buying agent, it's customary to first create a search profile. This helps the agent get an idea of what you're looking for. For example, do you want an apartment with your partner in the vibrant city centre, or do you prefer a single-family home outside the city?

Realistic advice

When chasing their dream home, people sometimes have an overly optimistic view of what they can get for their budget. They often underestimate how common overbidding is, and have no feel for how much to bid over the asking price. A buying agent gives you grounded, realistic advice on what actually fits within your budget and what a home is genuinely worth.

Early access thanks to a buying agent

Once you have created your search profile, the agent has a good understanding of what you're looking for, so you don't have to do a search yourself. The agent will send you suitable properties before others have access to them. This usually gives you a few days' advantage over the rest. In the market, speed and prior knowledge are key advantages, so this is very valuable.

Viewings and additional research

Buying agents can also accompany you on property viewings. They can assess the structural condition of the property as well as the surrounding area. For example, they can conduct additional research to check the zoning plan and see if there are any construction plans nearby. People often fall in love with a property and become blind to possible flaws. A buying agent views homes objectively in a businesslike manner — and will flag when it's worth arranging a technical inspection before you bid.

Negotiations and determining a good offer

Negotiations and determining a good offer are likely the most crucial steps nowadays. Especially determining a good offer and establishing a maximum bidding price is of great importance. It is almost impossible to buy a house without overbidding these days. Therefore, you will have to offer more than the asking price. However, you don't want to pay too much. The expertise of a buying agent is indispensable in this process.

Brief inspection before the transfer

Since the agent may not always be present during a viewing due to buyer's schedules, they can always conduct a brief inspection before the keys are handed over. This way, you can be sure there are no defects.

Reviewing the purchase agreement

In most cases, the drafting of the purchase agreement lies with the selling party. However, as a buyer, you want to make sure everything is in order. The agent has a lot of experience in this regard and can review the purchase agreement for unfavourable clauses before you sign. Later in the process, the buying agent often works alongside the notary who handles the transfer to make sure the deed matches what you agreed.

The choice of a buying agent

Deciding whether to hire a buying agent comes down to a trade-off. Searching on your own saves you the fee, but it costs a lot of time and usually gives you a smaller chance of success in a competitive market. Hiring an agent costs money, but typically improves your odds, your negotiating position and your peace of mind. For most buyers — especially those new to the Dutch market — the fee pays for itself. See our breakdown of what a buying agent costs in 2026 to weigh it up.

Advantages of a buying agent

• Early access to housing listings
• Experience of the buying agent
• Determining a good offer and negotiating
• Relief from administrative work
• Objective advice after property viewings
• Contacts and network

Disadvantages of a buying agent

• Costs
• No direct contact with the selling party

Frequently asked questions

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