The Long Road to Our New Home: Lessons Learned
House hunting can be a rollercoaster, and ours was no exception! It took us two years to find the perfect place, and a big part of that was learning from our initial misstep.
Love at First Sight (Almost):
Our journey began like many others - excited and scouring new construction projects. We fell for one in particular, waiting eagerly for the sales launch eight long months. But disappointment struck when the details emerged. A hefty, non-negotiable ground lease fee, way over our budget. This expense forced us to walk away with a valuable lesson: don't get too attached before all the details are clear.
Learning From Our Misstep
This time, we were more cautious. We found two new construction projects that seemed promising. Both offered similar pricing per square meter, a variety of floor plans, and were located in neighborhoods we liked. But a new factor came into play: the sales momentum.
The Importance of Sales Speed:
Both projects needed 70% of units sold before construction could even begin. One project's sales were slow, likely impacted by high interest rates at the time. The other project, however, in the Bajeskwartier complex, was selling much faster. We knew faster sales meant a faster move-in date, so we held tight and watched both projects for a few months.
Taking a Chance, Finding Our Dream Home:
With the Bajeskwartier project showing strong sales momentum, we decided to take a chance and express our interest. While we weren't initially selected for our preferred apartment, a little persistence paid off! Due to cancellations, one of our desired apartments became available again. We acted quickly, contacting the agency directly, and secured our dream home!
From Reservation to Purchase Agreement:
After a two-week reservation period, we met with the agency to solidify all the details. The purchase agreement was a big step, holding both parties (us and the seller) responsible for a 10% penalty if we backed out. The agency took their time explaining everything, ensuring we fully understood the agreement before we signed on the dotted line.
The Next Step: Construction Begins!
We're currently waiting for the construction start letter, expected by the end of June. Once that arrives, a notary appointment will finalize the legal transfer of the property.
Our house hunting journey wasn't always smooth sailing, but by learning from our initial misstep and staying strategic, we found the perfect place to call home in the heart of Bajeskwartier. Stay tuned for future updates on our exciting new chapter!