Flander (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Starting January 1, first-time homebuyers in Flanders will pay 2% registration fees instead of 3% for homes they live in, saving about €2,000 to €3,000. Fees for second homes stay at 12%.
Starting January 1, the registration fee for first-time homebuyers will drop from 3% to 2% if they live in the home. The fee for second homes or rental properties will stay at 12%. This change aims to help young people buy homes. A house in Limburg costs about 317,273 euros, and buyers can now save around 2,000 to 3,000 euros. A few years ago, the fee was 10%, which meant people could save up to 25,000 euros.
How are lower registration fees affecting Flanders’ real estate market?
According to Notary Bart Van Opstal, instead of slowing down, the real estate market is improving after the Flemish government announced lower registration fees for first-time buyers. He mentioned that typically, such changes lead to a pause in home sales as people wait for better rates, but this time, sales have remained steady and even increased in recent months.
Buying a house takes time. After signing the agreement, the notary has four months to finish the deed. If it’s done after January 1, people only pay 2% in registration fees for their main home. This change was announced in September. Many homes are being sold as second homes or investments, and home sales are increasing.
