Helping your child buy a home: what are the options?
Your son or daughter has finally found a nice home. The viewing was a success, but after talking to the mortgage advisor, it turns out that getting the financing sorted just isn't quite working out. It is a situation we encounter often. Especially in Utrecht, where house prices are high and first-time buyers often need extra personal funds to be able to buy a home.
Many parents are eager to help. But what is the wise thing to do? Is it best to gift money? Is a family mortgage smarter? Or are there other options? Below, we have listed the most common possibilities.
How can you help your child buy a home?
You can financially support your child in buying a home in several ways. The four most common are:
- give money as a gift;
- taking out a family mortgage;
- a combination of borrowing and gifting;
- use the home equity of your own property.
Which option fits best depends on what you want to achieve. Do you mainly want to give your child a helping hand? Or do you want to get the money back eventually? That difference often already determines which option makes the most sense.
When is gifting money a good choice?
A donation is especially interesting when you want to help your child directly and do not need to receive the money back. Your child can use the amount as a personal contribution or to lower the mortgage. As a result, less needs to be borrowed and monthly expenses often decrease immediately.
Since 2024, the increased donation exemption for a primary residence, the so-called jubelton, no longer. However, parents are allowed to make a tax-free gift of a certain amount annually. The amount of this exemption changes regularly. Therefore, always check the current amounts on the website of the Tax and Customs Administration.
Perhaps your child is also entitled to the starter exemption. Read here everything about the exemption to know if you can make use of this.
This is right for you if:
- You want to help your child financially right away.
- You have sufficient savings available.
- You do not need to receive the money back later.
What do you need to take into account?
- A donation reduces your equity.
- Take into account the rules regarding gift tax.
- Think about a fair distribution if you have multiple children.
When is a family mortgage smarter?
Do you want to help your child, but ultimately get the money back? Then a family mortgage can be an interesting solution.
With a family mortgage, parents lend (a part of) the purchase price to their child. Instead of the bank, you are therefore (partially) the lender yourself. Always make clear agreements about this and record them in writing, for example by drawing up a mortgage deed and registering it officially. When the tax conditions are met, the paid interest may be eligible for mortgage interest deduction under certain conditions.
Always seek good advice on this from your chosen notary.
This is right for you if:
- You want to help your child and get the money back.
- You want to make your own arrangements regarding interest and repayment. In doing so, you must always take into account the market interest rates applicable at that time. .
- You have sufficient savings.
What do you need to take into account?
- Always document agreements clearly
- Keep business and family strictly separate.
- It is wise to have an official mortgage deed drawn up and registered with the civil-law notary.
Buying a home is more than just the financing
Financial aid is often an important step, but that's not the end of it.
At Grift & Gracht, we notice that it is precisely the combination of good financing and a smart purchasing strategy that makes all the difference. Because how much should you actually bid? Is the asking price realistic? Is bidding above the asking price wise? And how do you ensure that you can act quickly as soon as your ideal home comes on the market?
Those are questions we guide first-time buyers and their parents through every day.
Can you use the home equity of your homeuse g?
Have you built up a lot of home equity in recent years? In some cases, you can use it to help your child buy a home.
For example, you can do this by increasing your mortgage or taking out a second mortgage. Whether that is wise depends on your income, age, monthly expenses, and future plans.
Therefore, always have the consequences for your own financial situation calculated.
Are you looking for a home in Utrecht?
We'd be happy to help you with this. Feel free to send us a message with any questions you may have.
Can we help you further?
Feel free to get in touch with us!