Buying a house

Existing properties for sale:

• through a real estate agent who keeps you informed of suitable properties for sale
• in adverts in newspapers
• in special property-for-sale papers
• on internet sites where estate agents put up their properties for sale ( websites in Dutch!) , e.g.:   
  
           - www.funda.nl  (Dutch)   (National)  
  
           - www.mva.nl    (Dutch)   (Amsterdam) 
  

Newbuild properties for sale in Amsterdam
On the newbuild site of the Housing Department you will find an overview of the current newbuild offerings in Amsterdam. You will get an impression of the number of newbuild projects under construction in each district. In addition, you can search on price, district or completion date. Please note, the site is in Dutch.
www.nieuwbouw.amsterdam.nl

Housing permit for homeowners
Do you need a housing permit when buying a property in Amsterdam? That depends on e.g. whether you are buying an existing property or a newbuild property.

Existing properties 

If you are buying an existing property in Amsterdam to live in yourself, you do not need a housing permit. The purchase price is irrelevant.
If you are buying a house for the purpose of letting this house, then the municipal rules for the allocation of rented accommodation are applicable. 
A housing permit is necessary for all rented accommodation with a rental value up to €548,18 (per 01-07-2009).

Newbuild properties 

With new-build properties a housing permit is only required if the purchase price is below the purchase price threshold as mentioned in the Housing Act. With effect from 1 January 2010 this purchase price threshold is €167.3000.- The threshold is indexed annually. See also: Buying a newbuild home in Amsterdam