Your home is never truly finished; there are always improvements to be made. It’s wonderful to daydream about your ideal home. More space, for example, is a common wish. Would you like to see if you can make that dream come true? There are several options.
Housing Market
You can look for another house and move. However, prices are often high, and in many areas, the supply is limited. This makes finding a suitable and affordable home quite difficult. Alternatively, you might consider renovating.
Renovation
With a renovation, it’s often possible to fulfill your housing wishes. For example, you could add an extension or install a dormer window. A renovation also provides an opportunity to make your home more sustainable, such as insulating the roof or installing solar panels. The additional space, extra comfort, and sustainability often lead to an increase in the value of your home.
The Price Tag
Of course, a renovation isn’t free. Material costs are usually high, and there is a shortage of skilled workers. Therefore, it’s important to have a clear overview of the costs and your financial options. For example, will you use your savings for the renovation, or will you choose to increase your mortgage?
Here are some options for financing a renovation:
Savings
It can be a smart move to finance your renovation with savings. Savings accounts don’t yield much interest. However, by improving your home with savings, the return over time is in the property itself. Additionally, your monthly housing costs won’t increase due to the renovation, as you won’t need an extra mortgage. Just make sure you always keep some savings aside for unforeseen expenses.
Second Mortgage
You can also choose to take out a second mortgage for your renovation. The lender will assess whether you can handle the additional costs. Afterwards, you’ll go to the notary to have everything legally documented.
Higher Mortgage Registration
Do you already have a higher registration on your mortgage? In that case, you don’t need to go back to the notary if you want to increase your mortgage for a renovation. The lender will still check if the new increase is possible for you.
Refinancing Your Mortgage
If your mortgage interest rate is higher than the current rate or if the current structure no longer suits your needs, you may be able to refinance your mortgage and possibly increase it for a renovation. This not only creates financial space for the renovation, but it usually also lowers your monthly payments.
Consumer Credit
It’s also possible to take out consumer credit for your renovation. This is a loan with a short term, and no collateral is required. The interest paid on the loan is tax-deductible. The downside is that the interest rate on this loan is often higher than that of a mortgage.
NHG: Lower Interest Rate and Energy Savings
If your home (valued at a maximum of €450,000) qualifies for the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG), the mortgage interest rate is often slightly lower compared to a mortgage without NHG.
For investments in energy-saving measures, NHG offers the Energiebespaarbudget (Energy Savings Budget). This allows you to apply for a mortgage of up to 106% of the property value, instead of the usual 100%.
Sustainability
Energy-saving measures are becoming an increasingly common part of a renovation. They’re good for both the environment and your wallet. In some cases, it’s even mandatory to make your home more sustainable during a renovation. You can take out an (additional) loan for energy-saving measures, and there are various subsidies available. More information can be found on the Dutch government website and the SVn. https://www.svn.nl/
By implementing energy-saving measures, your home will have a better energy label. This is an advantage if you plan to sell your home in the future. The energy label also affects the maximum mortgage you can get.
Want to know more?
There are several options to finance a renovation. Do you have any questions? We’re happy to provide personalized advice. It’s important that your mortgage aligns with your personal situation and needs.
maart 2025