Financial basis: the right use of equity
The basic principle for any real estate financing is not to use all of your equity. As a rule of thumb, I would always retain around 3 to 4 months’ net income as a risk buffer, because it is impossible to calculate unforeseeable costs.
When it comes to determining the exact amount of equity to be invested, this should ideally also cover the ancillary purchase costs, which make up around 10 to 15 percent of the property purchase price. These include land transfer tax, notary fees and any estate agent commissions.
It is also advisable to be able to cover at least 10 percent of the purchase price with your own capital, as this is currently reflected in better interest rates than full financing. The rule is: the more equity, the better. However, properties can also be financed with little or no equity and we will find a tailor-made solution for everyone.