Starter Apartment in Amsterdam-West

This two-room apartment is situated on the fourth floor of a monumental building at Van Reigersbergenstraat 69-3 in the Frederik Hendrikbuurt-Zuidoost neighborhood of Amsterdam-West. The property has a total living area of 43 square meters measured according to the NEN2580 standard, which makes it a compact yet practical living space suitable for a single person or a couple starting their housing journey in the Amsterdam real estate market.

The building itself dates back to 1900 and has been designated as a municipal monument, which means it holds architectural and historical significance within the urban fabric of Amsterdam. The monumental status brings with it certain considerations regarding alterations to the exterior and sometimes interior elements that contribute to the protected character of the building. The roof structure is a flat roof covered with bituminous roofing material, which is typical for this type of urban residential building from the early twentieth century.

Entering the apartment, the layout begins directly with the living room space. This area is described as well-proportioned and offers the flexibility to arrange a seating area according to personal preferences. The living room serves as the central hub of the apartment and connects to the other functional areas of the home. Adjacent to the living room is the bathroom, which has been fitted with a walk-in shower, a toilet, and a washbasin. This configuration means that the bathroom is conveniently accessible from the main living area.

The bedroom is located at the front of the apartment. According to the listing, this space is well-suited to serve as a main bedroom, offering sufficient dimensions for a standard bed and additional bedroom furniture. The positioning at the front of the building will determine the amount of natural light and the view that the bedroom receives.

At the rear of the apartment is the kitchen. The kitchen window looks out onto the green courtyard garden that belongs to the complex, which provides a pleasant and peaceful view rather than overlooking busy streets. The kitchen itself is described in basic terms in the listing, suggesting that it may require updating or personalization by the new owner, which aligns with the description of the apartment offering the freedom to finish and arrange every square meter according to personal wishes.

The apartment comes with an external storage unit of approximately 7 square meters located on the fourth floor. This storage space is equipped with electricity, making it suitable for storing larger items, bicycles, or seasonal belongings. Having external storage is a valuable feature for apartment living where internal space is at a premium.

Regarding the energy performance, the apartment has been assigned an energy label G. This is one of the lower ratings on the Dutch energy label scale, which runs from A to G. The presence of double glazing provides some level of insulation, and the heating and hot water are provided by a gas-fired combination boiler. The boiler is an Intergas HRE model that was installed in 2015 and is owned rather than rented, which means there are no monthly rental costs associated with this appliance. Given the age of the building and its monumental status, improving the energy rating may be limited by the preservation requirements, though double glazing has already been installed as an improvement.

The property is located on leasehold land, which is common in Amsterdam. The ground rent, known as erfpachtcanon, has been prepaid until January 1, 2046. This means that for a period extending well beyond the typical three-year anti-speculation clause, the new owner will not have to make periodic ground rent payments. Buyers should be aware that they will eventually need to address the continuation of the ground lease arrangements as the prepaid period approaches its end.

The Owners Association, or Vereniging van Eigenaren, covers multiple addresses in the area including sections of Van Houweningenstraat, Hugo de Grootkade, Derde Hugo de Grootstraat, and Van Reigersbergenstraat. The VvE is professionally managed by Ymere VvE beheer, which is a significant point as professional management often indicates more structured administration and maintenance planning. The listing indicates that the VvE has a healthy financial status with active and professional management. Key VvE checklist items are all confirmed: registration with the Chamber of Commerce, annual general meetings, periodic contributions, a reserve fund, a maintenance plan, and building insurance. The monthly VvE contribution is stated as 363.53 euros. It is worth noting that there appears to be a discrepancy in the listing, as one section mentions the VvE contribution as 184.98 euros while another section states 363.53 euros. This should be clarified with the selling agent or verified in the VvE documentation.

Several important conditions and clauses apply to this sale that potential buyers must carefully consider. First, there is a priority arrangement for social housing tenants, meaning that candidates who currently rent social housing may have preferential treatment in the purchasing process. The specific conditions of this arrangement should be obtained from the selling agent.

Second, the property is sold exclusively with the purpose of owner-occupation, meaning it cannot be purchased as an investment property to be rented out. An exception is made for parents purchasing on behalf of their children, which is a provision sometimes seen in Dutch real estate to assist younger buyers in entering the property market.

Third, an anti-speculation clause of three years applies. This clause prevents the owner from selling the property at a profit within three years of purchase. The mechanism typically involves recouping any profit above the original purchase price back to the original seller or a designated party.

Fourth, a non-owner-occupation clause and an age clause are also applicable, though the specific details of these clauses are not elaborated upon in the listing. These clauses would need to be reviewed in the purchase agreement.

The transaction must be completed through a specified project notary, Lubbers en Dijk Notarissen, which is a requirement sometimes imposed in sales of properties from institutional sellers like Ymere to ensure consistency and efficiency in the legal process.

The Frederik Hendrikbuurt neighborhood offers a range of amenities in close proximity. The Hugo de Grootplein serves as a local center for daily grocery shopping. For dining and socializing, the immediate vicinity includes establishments such as Razmataz, Binnenvisser, Flora, Coffee and Juices, Hendrix, and Brandstof. The location provides good connectivity, with cycling access to the Jordaan, the city center, and Oud-West within minutes. For car travel, the S105 road connects to the Ring A10 highway relatively quickly. Public transportation options include tram line 3 and bus lines 18, 80, and 752 located around the corner from the property. Parking in the area is subject to paid parking regulations and permit systems, which is standard for central Amsterdam neighborhoods.

The asking price is 350,000 euros, which translates to approximately 8,140 euros per square meter. This price is offered kosten koper, meaning the buyer is responsible for the standard transaction costs including transfer tax and notary fees. The property is currently available and can be delivered by mutual agreement, with the possibility of a quick transfer.