You pay fewer additional costs for new-build properties than for existing homes. New-build properties are often bought with no additional costs payable by the purchaser ('vrij op naam', or v.o.n). This means that many of the costs involved in the sale are already included in the purchase price, or that the seller pays all costs, such as the notary fees for the transfer deed and fees for registration with the Dutch Land Registry (Kadaster). The buyer then only pays the additional costs for taking out the mortgage, including valuation, advice and handling fees for the mortgage, and notary fees for the mortgage deed. These costs amount to around 2 to 3% of the property’s purchase price. However, you may still need to pay purchasing costs such as the costs of a building survey when buying a new-build property, or even estate agent fees if you have an estate agent.