A Buyer’s agent? Especially now!
Geschreven door Niek Geerdink op 9 september 2026A buyer’s agent in today’s housing market: valuable now more than ever
Are you looking to buy a home in Enschede or Twente? Then a buyer’s agent may be more important than you think. The housing market has changed. Whereas buyers previously had to act quickly above all else, there is now more room in many areas to compare properties and make a well-considered decision.
That sounds like good news, and it is. However, having more choice does not automatically make buying a home easier. Because how do you determine what a property is truly worth? What should you look out for during a viewing? And when does it make sense to submit an offer?
An experienced buyer’s agent in Enschede or Twente can help you with these decisions. Not only by helping you find a property, but especially by ensuring that you buy a home that suits your needs, at a price that is justified.
What does a buyer’s agent do?
A buyer’s agent represents your interests when purchasing a home. This support starts even before you make an offer.
A good buyer’s agent can help you with:
determining your housing preferences and budget
finding suitable properties
assessing the location and the property itself
estimating the realistic market value
developing an appropriate bidding strategy
negotiating with the seller
reviewing the purchase agreement
guiding you throughout the entire buying process
At Snelder Zijlstra, we guide buyers from the first introduction and property viewing through negotiations and signing the purchase agreement.
After all, buying a home is not something you do every day. Being a buyer’s agent is.
The housing market has changed
The housing market of a few years ago is still fresh in many people’s memories. Many properties received dozens of viewings and multiple offers. Buyers had to make decisions quickly, and it was common to bid well above the asking price.
The market has now become more balanced.
Not every property automatically sells after the first viewing round, and not every buyer has to blindly pay the highest possible price. This gives buyers more room to make thoughtful decisions.
But precisely because of this, being able to distinguish between opportunities has become more important.
Is the asking price realistic? Has the property been priced correctly? Why has this home been on the market for a longer period? And how much room is there for negotiation?
These are questions where local market knowledge can provide a significant advantage.
A buyer’s agent looks at a property differently
During a viewing, buyers mainly focus on what appeals to them. You may already picture yourself living there, imagine a new kitchen, or see your children playing in the garden.
A buyer’s agent looks at a property from a different perspective.
What is the condition of the property? Are there structural issues to consider? How is the location? What does the location mean for the value? Are there matters regarding the homeowners’ association (HOA), property boundaries, zoning regulations or other legal aspects that require attention?
This does not mean that a buyer’s agent will criticize every home. Quite the opposite. The goal is to balance emotions with practical considerations.
Because no matter how attractive a property is, you do not want to discover afterwards that you overlooked important details.
What is a property really worth?
One of the most important questions when buying a home is perhaps the simplest:
What is this property actually worth?
The asking price does not automatically provide the answer.
A seller may deliberately set a competitive asking price to attract attention. Another property may be listed at a higher price. Factors such as location, maintenance, plot size, property type, energy label, extensions and many other characteristics all influence value.
A buyer’s agent knows the local market and can compare the property with recent sales and current listings.
At Snelder Zijlstra, our buyer’s agents objectively assess the condition, location and realistic market value of a property. This helps you determine what offer is appropriate.
The goal is not always to submit the lowest possible offer. The goal is to purchase a property at a responsible price.
Sometimes that means negotiating firmly. Sometimes it means acting quickly when the opportunity is right.
A good offer is about more than just the price
Many buyers mainly think about one thing when negotiating: the amount offered. However, an offer consists of more than just the price.
Consider factors such as the preferred completion date, financing conditions, a structural inspection and other terms. An attractive offer for a seller is therefore not always the highest offer. The conditions and certainty surrounding the purchase can also play an important role.
A buyer’s agent can help you make the right choices. Perhaps even more importantly, they can prevent you from making an offer you may regret later.
Prevent emotions from taking over
Buying a home is not only a financial decision. It is also an emotional one.
You have found a property that seems perfect. The location is ideal, the garden is beautiful and you can already imagine yourself living there.
Then comes the question: how much are you willing to pay?
At that moment, it is valuable to have someone beside you who can maintain an objective view.
A buyer’s agent has no emotional connection to the property. This allows them to continue asking critical questions:
Is this property worth the asking price?
What alternatives are available?
How likely is it that we can purchase this property at a better price?
And when should we avoid waiting too long?
That independent perspective can be extremely valuable.
More available properties? Then targeted searching is more important than ever
Another advantage of today’s market is that buyers may have more choice. But how do you find the property that truly matches your needs among all available homes?
At Snelder Zijlstra, we work with a personal online search system where you can define your housing preferences, requirements and priorities. The system then selects properties that match your criteria. This allows you to search more efficiently without having to constantly monitor every new listing yourself.
This can be particularly useful if you have specific housing preferences, for example:
a family home in Enschede
an apartment in the centre of Oldenzaal
a semi-detached house in Hengelo
a detached home in the outskirts of Almelo
or a property in a specific neighbourhood or town in Twente
Local knowledge makes the difference
Buying a home in Enschede is different from buying a property in Amsterdam or Utrecht. Even within Enschede, significant differences exist. Property values and popularity are influenced by factors such as neighbourhood, location, facilities, property type and local supply.
A buyer’s agent in Enschede who works in the city every day sees these differences in practice.
Which properties sell quickly? Which asking prices prove realistic? Where is there more room for negotiation? Which homes are interesting but may be overlooked?
This knowledge cannot be fully obtained from property websites or an online valuation.
Local market knowledge is built by being actively involved in the housing market every day.
Snelder Zijlstra has been active in Twente for more than 135 years, with offices in Enschede, Hengelo, Borne, Almelo and Oldenzaal.
A buyer’s agent remains important after your offer is accepted
Your offer has been accepted. Congratulations! However, the buying process is not completely finished yet.
The purchase agreement must be reviewed and signed. Conditions allowing cancellation must be properly included, and you need to understand exactly what you are buying and which agreements have been made.
A buyer’s agent also supports you during this stage and helps you understand the purchase agreement. This provides peace of mind, especially if you do not deal with purchase agreements and property law on a daily basis.
Do you still need a buyer’s agent in 2026?
No, you are not required to hire a buyer’s agent. But perhaps the more relevant question is:
Do you want to make this important purchase completely on your own?
Buying a home is likely one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. A buyer’s agent can help you search with better preparation, assess properties objectively, determine the right value and negotiate from a stronger position.
And perhaps that is the greatest added value in today’s housing market.
The market no longer requires buyers to act blindly and as quickly as possible. The market requires making well-informed decisions.
Buying a home in Enschede or Twente?
Are you planning to buy a home soon in Enschede, Hengelo, Borne, Almelo, Oldenzaal or elsewhere in Twente? We would be happy to meet with you for an informal introduction.
During an initial conversation, we discuss your housing preferences, financial possibilities and how we can support you throughout the buying process. This gives you a clear understanding of what a buyer’s agent can mean for you.
Curious about what a buyer’s agent can do for you? Schedule a free consultation with Snelder Zijlstra.
Buying a home is not something you do every day. Make sure you are well prepared before signing the purchase agreement.
