Bid insurance for homebuyers in the Netherlands

Losing bidding wars because you need a financing clause? You are not alone. Sellers in the Netherlands almost always pick the offer without conditions — even when it's not the highest. Bid insurance lets you compete: bid without a financing clause, and if your mortgage falls through, the 10% penalty is covered. We'll tell you in a 20-minute call whether it's the right move for you.

How a bid certificate works?

We arrange a bid insurance certificate through Nationale Waarborg. This certificate lets you bid without a financing clause, with your 10% deposit fully protected.

  • We check your numbers together — income, savings, debts. One short call.

  • We review the value of the property — a valuation estimate confirms the home fits your borrowing limit.

  • Certificate issued — we request a certificate within one business day, stating your maximum bid amount.

  • You bid without a financing clause — your offer stands out to the seller.

  • We handle your mortgage — full application and bank guarantee arranged.

  • If the mortgage is rejected — the 10% penalty is covered. You owe nothing.

  • Bid safely, no financing clause
  • Certificate within 1 business day
  • Valid for 40 days

Placing a bid without a financial clause: why sellers prefer it?

  • When you make an offer on a house in the Netherlands, you can include a financing clause (voorbehoud van financiering) in the purchase agreement. This clause gives you time — usually 3 to 6 weeks — to arrange your mortgage. If the mortgage is not approved, you can walk away without penalty. This protects you as a buyer. But from the seller's perspective, it creates uncertainty. The deal could still fall through weeks after accepting your offer. Why do sellers prefer bids without a financial clause?

  • More certainty for the seller — without the clause, the seller knows the deal is far more likely to close. No waiting, no risk of starting over.

  • Faster process — the seller does not have to wait weeks for your mortgage approval before feeling confident about the sale.

  • Stronger position in a bidding war — when multiple buyers bid on the same property, sellers often choose the offer without conditions — even if it is not the highest bid.

Who is eligible?

Not sure if you qualify? Our mortgage advisors can check your eligibility in a free, no-obligation call.

Employed in the Netherlands or the EU

Resident of the Netherlands with a valid BSN

Non-EU expats need a residence permit and income in Euros

BKR assessment

Primary residence — the certificate is for existing homes you plan to live in

FAQ

What are the benefits of bid insurance?

Bid insurance lets you bid without a financing clause — making your offer significantly more attractive to sellers. If your mortgage is rejected, the 10% penalty is covered, so you take no financial risk. The certificate is issued within one business day and is valid for 40 days, giving you time to find the right home and bid with confidence.

What happens if my bid is not accepted?

You pay nothing. The certificate fee is only charged when the purchase is completed at the notary.

Can non-EU expats use this?

Yes, in most cases — with a valid residence permit and income in euros. Contact us for a free assessment.

Is bidding insurance the same as a bank guarantee?

No. A bank guarantee covers the deposit after your mortgage is approved. Bidding insurance protects you from the 10% penalty if your mortgage is rejected after bidding without a financing clause.

Our happy clients

We focus on delivering great results — and our clients' feedback tells the rest of the story.

Bart was the first financial advisor we contacted on a friend’s recommendation, and right after our initial orientation, we knew we didn't need to look any further. ​Now that we have successfully purchased our first home, we can’t thank Bart enough for the huge role he played in making it happen. As first-time buyers, the process can feel overwhelming, but Bart was a true professional from start to finish. He explained every single step with great clarity, evaluated our documents promptly, and patiently answered our endless stream of questions. His proactive support during the bidding phase also made a massive difference. Bottom line, he possess excellent knowledge about his work. ​A sincere thank you to Bart, we couldn't have asked for a better advisor and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to buy a home!

Neel Kamal Bharadwaj

07-11-2026

Excellent service from start to finish. Friendly, responsive, and always willing to help. All required paperwork was handled on time, and any questions were answered quickly by email. I particularly appreciated the extra effort in checking and assisting with documents beyond the agreed scope. His support made the whole mortgage process clear and stress-free. Highly recommended!

Leyli Alakbarli

26-09-2026

A fantastic service from Toni and the whole team at OHAO. I would strongly recommend them. As first-time buyers, we had a lot of questions and a slightly complex mortgage application, but Toni guided us through the process brilliantly. Everything was communicated clearly and in a timely manner, and he was always quick to respond and happy to explain things. We were recommended OHAO by a colleague who had a great experience with them, and we’re very happy we followed their recommendation. Excellent service from start to finish!

Hasara Dinushika

07-09-2026

I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent service I received from OHAO during my renovation mortgage application. This was the second time I used OHAO’s advisory services for a mortgage application. The process was quite challenging, and it is difficult to fully describe the complexity of the application in a review. However, thanks to the expertise, dedication, and professionalism of my advisor, Bart, I was able to successfully obtain the mortgage. In fact, the outcome exceeded my expectations. I am extremely grateful for the guidance and support provided throughout the entire process. Millions of thanks to Bart and the OHAO team for the outstanding service and commitment to their customers.

mehdi khamseh

31-07-2026

Very happy with the OHAO services. My advisor, Luc Zwaan, has been very helpful every step of the way and promptly answered all my questions. The final report that they sent over, outlining the details of my mortgage, was clear and summarized all the details, giving me clarity. Highly recommended!

Fotis Papadopoulos

21-06-2026

This is the second time I have used OHAO for my mortgage needs, and once again I had an excellent experience working with Luc. Luc is highly professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about finding the best solution for his clients. Throughout the entire process, he provided clear and honest advice, kept me informed at every step, and was always available via email or call whenever I had questions. His responses were always quick, and he made what can be a complicated process feel straightforward and stress-free. What I appreciate most is that Luc takes the time to explain everything in detail and ensures you fully understand your options before making any decisions. His expertise, reliability, and dedication gave me confidence from start to finish. I would highly recommend Luc and the OHAO team to anyone looking for mortgage advice. Their service is professional, efficient, and customer-focused. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them again in the future.

Malik

01-06-2026

Do you still have questions?

Book a free call and we will walk through your situation and explain how bid insurance work. ✔ Independent advisor with access to 40+ lenders ✔ Guidance in English from start to finish

Robin Uijtdehaage

Mortgage Advisor

Robin, the best mortgage advisor for expats at Ohao, with over 10 years of experience helping many expats successfully find homes within the Netherlands

Luc Zwaan

Mortgage Advisor

Luc, leading mortgage advisor at Ohao, known for outstanding service, expert guidance, and backed by many 5-star client reviews.

Toni van der Flier

Mortgage Advisor

Mortgage advisor Toni from Ohao, representing high standards of customer service and a company recognized with numerous 5-star reviews.

Bart Kooijman

Mortgage Advisor