Kampen houses by the IJssel: prices and buyer notes

The medieval centre has three surviving city gates and a skyline of towers along the river. The city is a short drive from Zwolle, the regional capital with a major rail junction, and across the Flevoland polders lie Dronten and Lelystad. Emmeloord, Nunspeet and Meppel are other regional options. River-side living brings flood-defence considerations, and the area is known for sailing and cycling.

Houses close to the river or in the older centre may have specific flood-protection or monument rules. Ask the agent whether the building is a listed monument, what the energy label is, and whether there are plans to renovate the street or the nearby dike. Parking in the walled centre is limited, and permit rules differ by street. Verify ownership of any shared walls or courtyards, which are common in historic Dutch towns.

Foreign nationals can buy in the Netherlands. Transfer tax is 2% for homes you live in and 8% for others, so a buy-to-let costs more at the outset. A notary completes the deed, and you typically get a three-day cooling-off period after signing. Check the building's foundations, since some older houses suffer from subsidence or wood rot.

Read the Netherlands buying guide, financing guide and country page.