Home pre-purchase advice

Benefits of requesting advice services before a real estate purchase

Consider this advice as a neutral, professional opinion which can be determining when purchasing a house or apartment in the following cases:

• You are planning to purchase an apartment or a house in Brussels and surroundings (in the Brussels-Capital Region)
• You have already found a property that you like and that fits your budget
• You are considering a French VIR contract (“Vente d’immeuble à rénover”)
• You just want to get that extra push you need to feel confident about your purchase
• You’re wondering if the house or apartment you are considering is the right fit for you, and whether it’s suited for rehabilitation or extension
• You want to get that professional eye from an architect or interior designer before purchase

In any case, it’s worth getting more advice from an certified architect (French DPLG/DE/HMNOP licenses) or interior designer before purchase. They are able to quickly tell you if the house or apartment you are considering has potential for renovation and improvement. They can also give you a rough estimate of architecture costs for better planning on your side.

Your designer or architect will answer any questions you have before making a decision:

• Can this property be improved at all?
• What are the strengths and constraints?
• Is there any room for improvement in terms of layout and brightness?
• What is the estimate budget for any renovation or construction work (custom carpentry, electricity, tiling, wooden floor, extension)?

Pre-purchase advice in Brussels: how it works

• After you visit a property/real estate and before moving forward with an offer, plan another visit with an architect or interior designer in Brussels and surroundings.
• Based on their expertise and because they’re completely independent from the transaction/owner/broker, such professionals can guide you before you make the final decision.
• As you visit together, the architect shares their point of view on the property and highlights essential points to consider, especially regarding the potential for improvement and any constraints.
• They focus on technical points such as the overall quality of the house/apartement, load-bearing walls, division, energy distribution networks (electricity, water, gas).
• They will list potential works that can be pursued to improve natural lighting, optimise space, and redistribute rooms.
• At the end of the visit, you will get a first estimation regarding the costs of recommended renovation works. Consider this as an estimate range for your information only and to evaluate your budget, rather than a specific quote from a building contractor. Prices can vary.