Everyone’s situation is unique, and unfortunately there’s no golden rule. Still, keep these four options in mind:
"}},{"accordionList":[{"richBody":{"value":"It’s difficult to predict how the housing market will develop. Sometimes opportunities appear when you least expect them. And as you continue working and your income grows, your chances may increase naturally. So avoid making decisions in haste.
In a market like this, it’s easy to feel desperate and consider offering above the asking price. But this may cause issues when securing your mortgage. Your monthly costs might also become too high. In that case, it’s wiser to keep looking until the right home comes along.
A Starter Loan is provided by a municipality, province or housing association and allows you to borrow a little extra to purchase your first home. It bridges the gap between the purchase price and the maximum mortgage you can borrow from the bank.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"Learn more about the Starter Loan.","url":"https://www.svn.nl/starterslening"}],"title":"2. Consider a Starter Loan"},{"richBody":{"value":"It’s not an option for everyone, but if your parents are able and willing to lend money, a family mortgage might help. You can benefit from mortgage interest relief, and your parents receive the loan amount plus interest.
Each year, they can also (partly) gift this interest back to you tax-free — helpful if you want to make extra repayments on your regular mortgage.
"},"title":"3. Borrowing from parents"},{"richBody":{"value":"One room less, a different neighbourhood, or a village a bit further out — it can make a big difference in price. A 1930s house in the city centre is often like searching for a needle in a haystack. Try widening your search. There are wonderful homes in surrounding areas too. And by viewing several properties, you’ll get a much clearer picture of what really suits you.
"},"title":"4. Broaden your search area"}],"componentType":"accordion"},{"cardsList":{"cards":[{"body":"Calculate your maximum mortgage.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/21b865e6-e140-4cba-82ba-2caa41a32718/Large_MS-PPT_Web-Laughing-woman-holding-a-giant-key-to-her-new-home.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/21b865e6-e140-4cba-82ba-2caa41a32718/Large_MS-PPT_Web-Laughing-woman-holding-a-giant-key-to-her-new-home","type":"image","width":1920},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/calculate-starters-mortgage"},"title":"What can I borrow?"},{"body":"As a first‑time buyer you won’t miss a thing with this step-by-step guide.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/f6667488-083e-4e11-a9fe-0d8e592ec959/Woman-sitting-on-bench-in-the-sun-while-reading-1.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f6667488-083e-4e11-a9fe-0d8e592ec959/Woman-sitting-on-bench-in-the-sun-while-reading-1","type":"image","width":5267},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/step-by-step-guide-to-buying-your-first-house"},"title":"What’s involved?"},{"body":"Even then, you can still get a mortgage.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/97740d99-f05b-459b-bde4-19cb45f19e05/Flatmates-in-the-kitchen-chatting-as-they-make-coffee.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/97740d99-f05b-459b-bde4-19cb45f19e05/Flatmates-in-the-kitchen-chatting-as-they-make-coffee","type":"image","width":5700},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/student-loan-debt"},"title":"Student loan debt?"},{"body":"The key pros and cons at a glance.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/d94b12c1-b10a-462d-86fe-f5102d5c2bd8/A-happy-couple-are-hugging-on-the-front-porch-of-a-house.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/d94b12c1-b10a-462d-86fe-f5102d5c2bd8/A-happy-couple-are-hugging-on-the-front-porch-of-a-house","type":"image","width":6000},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/rent-or-buy"},"title":"Rent or buy?"},{"body":"All the information to buy your first home.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home"},"title":"Back to overview"}],"componentType":"cards"},"componentType":"horizontalCardsList","link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/homepage-starters"},"title":"Buying your first home"},{"componentType":"linkList","iconTitle":{"title":"Useful information when buying your first home"},"linkListCTA":{"textLink":{"text":"Back to overview","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home"}},"textLinks":[{"text":"Calculate your maximum mortgage","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home/calculate-starters-mortgage"},{"text":"Current mortgage interest rates","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/current-mortgage-rates"},{"text":"Everything about new-build homes","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/newbuild"},{"text":"Mortgage types","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/mortgage-types"},{"text":"Mortgage advice","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/mortgage-advice"},{"text":"Contact","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/contact"},{"text":"Energy label and mortgage interest rate","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/current-mortgage-rates/the-energy-label-and-your-mortgage-interest-rate"},{"text":"Buyer’s costs","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buyers-costs"}]}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"30e64038-4d6a-49ab-bab6-529d63867c2e","legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The English text of the website is a translation of the Dutch original version. This translation is intended for the customers convenience only. In case of any discrepancies between the two versions, the original Dutch version shall prevail. The mortgage offer and contract will be signed in Dutch. Also, all further communication after signing the mortgage contract will be in Dutch. You acknowledge and accept this. If any assistance or clarification is needed, we recommend contacting your mortgage advisor or to call our customer service via the ING app.
"},"title":"Good to know"}]},"localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Buying your first home","url":"/en/personal/mortgage/buying-a-house/buying-your-first-home"}},"componentType":"productHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"Looking for a place to live, but the asking price keeps being too high? Or do you get outbid time and again? You’re certainly not the only one facing this challenge at the moment.","headerImage":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5feffb04d8faf1a8/original/household-spending-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/a8c84859-5f35-4a3e-883c-c4be98a622c6/household-spending-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"title":"What if you simply can’t find an affordable home?"}},"publishDate":"2026-07-13T16:20:07.992+02:00"}}