Do I need a buying agent?

It is not mandatory, and plenty of people buy without one. Whether it makes sense depends on how well you know the Amsterdam market. A buying agent values the property, checks the leasehold and the owners association, arranges a structural survey, and advises on what to bid and under which conditions. In a market where roughly a quarter more homes came up for sale this year, that advice is worth more than it was in 2024, because there is now room to negotiate. If you are buying from abroad or in a language that is not your own, the case is stronger still.