When are you a starter in the housing market?
Are you about to buy your first home? If so, you may be wondering if you officially count as a starter in the housing market. This is important because as a starter, you can take advantage of a lower transfer tax rate, additional mortgage advice and schemes such as a starter loan.
You are a starter in the housing market if you meet all the conditions below:
- You are under 35 years of age (18 to 34) at the time you buy the house.
- You buy an owner-occupied home for your own use (that is, you will live there yourself).
- You have never owned a home or taken out a mortgage before.
- You use the home as your primary residence, not a rental or second home.
- The house price is up to €525,000.
- You have not previously used the start-up transfer tax exemption.
Many first-time buyers additionally get help from their parents through a gift or by contributing their own savings as equity or home equity. This allows you to get a higher mortgage or pay buyer and closing costs, such as notary fees and appraisal fees. Your position as a buyer will be stronger if you are well prepared. You do this with a fixed contract, clear wishes and advice from a good mortgage advisor or purchase broker.
Do you meet these conditions? Then you are officially a starter on the housing market and are entitled to the starter regulations. Want to know how much you can borrow, or whether your home value falls within the limit? Register for free and we will help you buy your first home.
What are the benefits for first-time home buyers?
As a starter in the housing market, you don't always have it easy, but you are ahead of the game. Thanks to new regulations in 2025, buying your first home will become a lot more affordable and realistic.
Key benefits for startups in 2025:
- No transfer tax up to €525,000. Thanks to the starter exemption, you can quickly save thousands of euros. Buying a €400,000 house, for example? Then you keep €8,000 in your pocket.
- Borrowing extra with a starter loan (by municipality). Are you just short of your dream home? With a starters loan you can bridge the difference. This way you pay no repayment or interest for the first three years.
- National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) up to €450,000. With NHG you borrow safely and often pay less mortgage interest. Do you make the house more sustainable? Then you can even borrow up to €477,000.
- More loan availability with a good energy label. Does your home have an energy label C or better? Then you can get thousands of euros for an extra loan. With A++++ even up to €50,000.
- Extra borrowing capacity for singles. As a single person, do you earn more than €28,000 per year? Then you may borrow up to €16,000 extra for your first home.
- Less strict mortgage rules for student debt or flexible work. From 2025 only your current student debt will count, and even without a permanent contract you can simply take out a mortgage.
Thanks to all these benefits, buying your dream home becomes a lot more attainable. As a starter in the housing market, you can benefit from schemes such as transfer tax exemption, a start-up loan or more financial support through your municipality. Would you like to read in detail about all the benefits you can take advantage of when buying your first home? Then read this article about the advantages of buying your first home.
Want to know what's smart in your situation? At homeup, we help you buy your first home as a buying agent. You get independent advice with personalized buying guidance.
