Wassenaar, located in the province of South Holland, boasts a rich historical background with monuments such as Castle De Wittenburg, the Village Church, and the former Town Hall De Paauw. The municipality is situated near the North Sea and is nestled between the cities of The Hague and Leiden. Characterized by a milieu of forests, dunes, and picturesque estates, Wassenaar offers a luxurious living environment with ultimate comfort.
The Exclusive Housing Market of Wassenaar
The housing market in Wassenaar is stable and strongly attracts the attention of the wealthy and famous. The variety of luxury homes and apartments satisfies the demand significantly. Politically and economically, Wassenaar remains relatively consistent, providing a solid basis for exclusive real estate transactions. The all-in average brokerage fee in Wassenaar is around 1.5% of the final selling price for buyers and sellers.
Additional Costs when Purchasing Luxury Homes
The additional costs for purchasing a luxury home in Wassenaar may include transfer tax (2% of the purchase price), notary fees (about 1-1.5% of the purchase price plus VAT), as well as potential costs for building inspections or lawyer fees.
Taxes in Wassenaar
The wealth tax on private ownership of a house in Wassenaar is approximately 1.2% of the taxable base per year. When selling a private property, such as a house or apartment used as the main residence, no tax needs to be paid on the realized profit in the Netherlands. However, a wealth tax of about 1.2% is levied for the second home or holiday homes. Corporate profits are taxed between 15-25% corporation tax, while income tax for residents varies from 37.05% to 49.5% depending on income.
Mortgage Requirements in Wassenaar
In the current mortgage market, one can usually finance up to 100% of the purchase price with a mortgage. The maximum mortgage amount depends on income and any existing debts.
Environment and Accessibility
The most desirable neighborhoods for luxury homes are primarily located in the mansion areas near the center of Wassenaar. Wassenaar is easily accessible by car via the A44 highway and is a stone's throw from The Hague, about 10.5 km away. From Wassenaar, it's also quite easy to reach the national airport Schiphol (24 km) or the smaller Rotterdam The Hague airport (23 km).
Education in Wassenaar
Wassenaar hosts top-quality schools, including the international elementary school, The American School of The Hague, and Rijnlands Lyceum Wassenaar.
Wassenaar and Lifestyle
For outdoor enthusiasts and sports practitioners, Wassenaar offers a range of options, such as Golfclub Rozenstein and Watersport Association Wassenaar. The municipality also has various luxury fashion and lifestyle stores, and renowned exclusive restaurants like Restaurant Latour and Grand Café Hugos. Wassenaar is also known for its annual parade, the 'Wassenaar Wave'.
Culture
Culturally, Wassenaar is affluent with the Museum Voorlinden, and the Royal Hague Golf & Country Club also offers art exhibitions. The nearby The Hague offers a range of theaters, such as the Royal Theatre Carré.
Healthcare and Infrastructure
Although Wassenaar itself does not have a hospital, there are neighboring hospitals, including the Haga Hospital and the Leiden University Medical Center. Medical clinics in Wassenaar include the General Practitioner Van der Does & Heltzel. Public transport is well-arranged, with local bus services and nearby train stations in The Hague and Leiden.