Starter Apartment with Two Bedrooms and Balconies in Hoogezand
Key Features
Description
This apartment is situated on the Reviusstraat in the municipality of Hoogezand and offers a practical living space suitable for first-time buyers looking to create their own home. The property is located on the upper floor of a small-scale apartment complex, providing a relatively quiet living environment within a residential neighborhood.
The living area of the apartment measures 57 square meters, which is distributed across a living room and two separate bedrooms. The living room covers approximately 19 square meters and is described as light and spacious. From the living room, residents have direct access to one of the two balconons belonging to the property. The total outdoor space attached to the building amounts to 7 square meters, spread across the two balconons. These outdoor areas offer the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and can be used for seating or plants.
The apartment features two bedrooms measuring approximately 12 square meters and 8 square meters respectively. This configuration allows for a main bedroom and a smaller room that could serve as a guest room, study, or hobby space. The kitchen is separate from the living area, and there is a bathroom equipped with a shower. Additionally, the property includes a separate toilet, which adds convenience for daily use.
The building dates back to 1962 and is classified as a portiek flat, which is a common apartment type in the Netherlands featuring a shared entrance hallway. The property has a flat roof covered with bituminous roofing material. Despite its age, the apartment has been upgraded to an energy label C, which indicates a reasonable level of energy efficiency. The windows feature double glazing, contributing to better insulation compared to single-glazed alternatives. Heating and hot water are provided by a gas-fired combination boiler manufactured by Remeha, which is owned by the current seller rather than being rented.
Residents of this apartment benefit from an external storage space measuring 9 square meters. This storage area provides additional room for items such as bicycles, seasonal decorations, or garden furniture. Parking in the vicinity is available as public parking, meaning residents do not have an assigned parking space but can typically find parking on the street.
The property is part of an active homeowners association, as evidenced by several organizational features. The VvE is registered with the Chamber of Commerce, holds annual meetings, collects periodic contributions, maintains a reserve fund, has a maintenance plan in place, and has arranged building insurance. The monthly VvE contribution is approximately 123 euros and 67 cents, which covers the shared costs of building maintenance and management.
The location of the apartment is described as being on a quiet road within a residential area, while still being conveniently close to amenities. A shopping center is within walking distance, and public transportation options and main roads are easily accessible. This combination of tranquility and accessibility makes the location practical for daily living.
Prospective buyers should be aware of several specific conditions attached to this property. A self-occupancy obligation applies, meaning the purchaser must intend to live in the apartment themselves rather than renting it out or using it as a second home. Furthermore, the property cannot be resold within the first year following purchase, which prevents speculative buying. The seller has also designated a specific project notary for the transaction, which is common in certain development or sale projects.
An important consideration for potential buyers is that the property is located in the Groningen earthquake area. The listing explicitly states that the foundation of the property may have been damaged as a result of earthquakes in the region. The purchase agreement includes provisions stating that any defects related to earthquake damage, including foundation problems, are entirely at the expense and risk of the buyer. Additionally, the seller will transfer any potential damage compensation claim against the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) to the buyer at the time of transfer. The buyer will not have the right to hold the seller liable for defects resulting from earthquake damage.
The interior of the apartment requires attention and renovation work. The listing indicates that the property needs a fresh perspective and some effort to make it fully livable according to contemporary standards. Buyers should budget for interior updates and improvements in addition to the purchase price.
The asking price for this property is 165,000 euros, which is stated as costs payable by the buyer. This means that additional costs such as transfer tax, notary fees, and any mortgage-related costs are not included in this amount and must be borne by the purchaser. The price per square meter of living space comes to approximately 2,895 euros.
This apartment represents an opportunity for buyers who are willing to invest time and money into renovating a property to their own taste. The combination of two bedrooms, two balconons, a storage unit, and a location close to amenities provides a solid foundation for creating a comfortable home. The energy label C and double glazing offer a starting point that is better than many comparable apartments from the same era. However, the earthquake-related foundation risk and the required renovation work should be carefully considered and, if possible, professionally assessed before committing to a purchase.