“Housing market in Heemstede offers more buying opportunities than you might think!”

September 2024

Meet Luc Burghout. Luc has been working as K-RMT broker at our office in Heemstede-Aerdenhout since May this year. After graduating, he was mostly interested in real estate, but later transitioned into brokerage. What made him switch? Luc explains. But not before sharing his insider tips for those who’re seeking to find a home in this region.

Crossing the border

“In these past months, I noticed that most buyers who are new to this region, start by hiring a real estate agent in Haarlem. They hope to find a house quickly. But this might turn out difficult because of the overheated market, the high competition and the overbidding. Of course, some people succeed just fine in Haarlem. Others have a lot of patience. And then there are those who decide to cross the municipal border and start house hunting in Heemstede. Smart decision. The market here is under less pressure, bringing opportunities for buyers. But: why not start in Heemstede? With a real estate agent in Heemstede who knows the market inside out? That’s my tip. No question what I would do!” laughs Luc. 

Never leaving

Luc is familiar with the region: “I lived in Overveen until I was fourteen. Then we moved to Bloemendaal, where I still live today. And you won’t see me leaving this neighborhood any time soon. Lots of greenery, dunes and beach nearby and all the good things of Haarlem center around the corner. What’s not to like! In Heemstede, maybe even more than in Haarlem, you get real value for money. Spacious houses, often with a large garden. You get to breathe here. It’s perfect for young families.”

Up-to-date

More and more people are discovering this area. Luc explains: “One thing to know about Heemstede is that many homes for sale here haven’t been updated in decades. These are beautiful family homes, but the children have long grown up and moved out. When the grandparents finally decide to sell, the houses often need some modernization. So you’ll have to factor in remodeling.”

Technical expertise

Luc gained valuable remodeling experience while studying Property & Real Estate in Rotterdam. His internship at an Amsterdam Zuidas firm focused on commercial real estate and involved working on high-profile office interiors. “I worked on the construction of offices for major companies with large budgets,” he recalls. After his internship, Luc stayed with the company as a working student: “An invaluable experience. While renovating a house differs from working on an office, the technical skills I developed help me accurately estimate renovation costs today.”

Feelers on at all times!

Luc eventually transitioned from real estate to brokerage: “Real estate was great, but helping someone find their dream home is so much more fulfilling. I love guiding people through the buying or selling process and doing everything I can to make them feel at ease. After all, inviting a real estate agent into your home is a big deal—it doesn’t happen every day!” Luc has been visiting homes for years, though not always as a real estate agent: “Besides being a broker, I’m also a singer. As an artist, you develop a keen sense of what people like or dislike. This intuition is invaluable on stage and turns out to be just as useful in my work now!”