Estate agent in the Jordaan
The Jordaan was laid out in the seventeenth century, at the same time as the canal belt, as a neighbourhood for craftsmen and workers. Today it is a mix of canal houses on the Bloemgracht and Egelantiersgracht, almshouses (hofjes), narrow streets and cross streets, and newer buildings from the urban renewal.
The area is a protected cityscape and many buildings are listed monuments. Narrow, deep houses with steep stairs, foundations on wooden piles and the question of what may be altered: in the Jordaan, the preparation determines how a sale goes.
Four things buyers in the Jordaan look at
Permits and planning rules
With a listed building not everything is allowed without a permit. Buyers want to know what has been permitted and what is still possible, especially with plans for a roof terrace or a different layout.
Wooden piles
Almost everything stands on wooden piles. A foundation report, or at least what is known about the building and its neighbours, removes the biggest uncertainty for a buyer.
Stairs and light
A narrow house with a steep staircase sells differently from an apartment on one level. Daylight, ceiling height and the staircase itself weigh heavily with buyers.
Freehold or ground lease
Both occur in the Jordaan, sometimes in the same street. We check the deed so a buyer knows exactly what he is taking on.
About buying and selling in the Jordaan
What is my home in the Jordaan worth?
That depends heavily on the building itself: listed or not, the condition of the foundations and the stairs, light and outdoor space. We first visit you, then compare with what has recently been paid in the Jordaan.
My building is a listed monument. What does that mean for the sale?
Buyers have more questions, about permits, maintenance and grants. We put that information together in advance, so a buyer knows where he stands and the negotiation does not get stuck on it.
Which surveys will a buyer ask for here?
In the Jordaan almost always a building survey, and often questions about the foundations. The more of that is known at the start, the faster and more certain a sale comes together.