Expat Mortgages expands to Eindhoven

Expat Mortgages is an independent mortgage broker for expats who want to buy a house in the Netherlands and need a mortgage to do so.

We had a very pleasant conversation with Roy Schreurs from Expat Mortgages about the expansion of the company and its nationwide coverage:

Why did you decide to expand?

Our company has been in business for more than 10 years and we have provided mortgage advice to thousands of people. Our most unique feature is that we only work with expats and this has allowed us to become a specialist in what we do. Of course, most expats, and consequently our clients, live and work in Amsterdam.

However, over the last few years, we have seen more and more expats choosing other cities as their hometown, all over the Netherlands. This is why we decided to follow them and provide our services in many other Dutch cities.

In 2007, Expat Mortgages opened its first office in Amsterdam. Slowly and steadily, we started to expand to other cities - first in Haarlem / Hoofddorp, then The Hague and Rotterdam. Last June, Utrecht was added to our list of offices.

And I am very proud to announce that we are now located in Eindhoven as well. I am the dedicated advisor for Eindhoven and the surrounding area. The company hired me last November.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am 47 years old and I was born and raised in Roermond, a small but friendly touristic town situated just between Eindhoven and Maastricht. I did my bachelor's degree in Business Logistics, but after a few conversations with a friend of mine who worked at ING bank, I started becoming enthusiastic about the stock and mortgage market.

I like the interaction with clients, providing them with the right information to make the right choice for the most optimal mortgage. I like finding the optimal tailor-made solution for everybody.

Also, I understand expats. I was sort of an expat too in the past, as I worked in Curaçao, in the Dutch Caribbean region. I know what it’s like to be in a new country and to have to start from scratch, not knowing where to find the right resources.

When I am not working, I like spending time with my son, hiking and skiing in the Italian Dolomites.

What is required to be a good mortgage advisor and why should expats come to you?

I think a good mortgage advisor is one who can guide the client through the process of arranging a mortgage in an informative and stress-free way.

Please note that we are working with expats and all of our communication (either verbal or written) and documentation is in English. And don’t forget my network. I was born and raised in the south of the Netherlands and I know almost every estate agent, evaluator, construction company and civil law notary in this area. And I also speak their (southern) language!

My colleagues and I are very flexible and therefore it is possible to meet outside of office hours and at a location of your preference. We will handle any necessary communication in Dutch with the bank or other third parties involved. The most important thing is that we will not try to sell you a particular mortgage, but instead we will give you options to choose from. So, you can decide what is best for you.

Once the mortgage is approved, it is time to sign the official deeds at the notary. We will make sure that a sworn interpreter is present at the signing and your Expat Mortgages advisor will be present too.

One very important detail, which shouldn’t be forgotten, is that our fee is fixed and also tax deductible. So, you can enjoy our services in full and get your money back at the end of the year!

You will be exclusively working with clients in the Eindhoven region. Can you tell us something about Eindhoven? What makes this city attractive to expats?

Eindhoven provides more value for your money. And, as a whole, it’s another way of living. People here lead a more laid-back lifestyle. You can find lots of venues, cinemas and theatres in the city.

Roy: "My colleagues and I are very flexible and therefore it is possible to meet outside of office hours and at a location of your preference."

Furthermore, Eindhoven has beautiful natural surroundings, like The Campine (De Kempen), which can be reached within 30 minutes.

If you are into water sports, you will like nearby Roermond, which has several lakes where you can take boat trips, windsurf or just relax. It also features one of the biggest outlet shopping centres in Europe. Roermond is just 40 minutes away.

But, that’s not all. Historical city Maastricht is only one hour away. And Eindhoven is also very close to Belgium. In fact, Antwerp is only 45 minutes away!

What are your plans for the future?

Well, my plan, for now, is to introduce myself to all expats in the Eindhoven area. Therefore, we will hold an Expat Housing Seminar on April 17. If you want to know more, please contact us! Let’s meet up and talk about your house!