Thinking of buying a vacation home? Here's how to find the best deals!

Thinking of buying a vacation home? Here’s how to find the best deals! Are you looking for a vacation home but feeling overwhelmed by all the options? That’s understandable. The market for vacation homes is vast and diverse. From small-scale nature parks to large-scale rental organizations—how do you choose something that’s truly right for you? In this blog (based on Lesson 2 of our buying course), you’ll learn how to search for the right vacation homes and the right park organization in a focused and structured way. You’ll also learn how to narrow down a vast array of options to a shortlist of serious purchase candidates. After all, buying a vacation home isn’t a matter of luck, and thorough preparation always pays off!

Before you even start looking at accommodations or locations, it’s a good idea to figure out what kind of organization you feel comfortable with. In the Netherlands, most vacation parks fall into four main categories:

1. Personal use, not for rental

Ideal for people who are simply looking for a second home for themselves. These are often small-scale parks or campgrounds with few central amenities and low costs. You are responsible for maintenance, and renting out the property is usually not permitted. Pay attention to the park’s financial health (for example, check whether there is an active homeowners’ association) and be aware of permanent residents, which can pose risks such as crime.

1. Flexible combination: personal use and rental

This is a popular model: you get to decide for yourself whether—and when—you rent out your property. You can optionally outsource many services, such as cleaning or key management. You retain a high degree of control while also generating income.

1. Full-service rental with comprehensive management

For the passive investor. You buy the property, but the organization handles everything—from renting it out to maintenance. There’s often a guaranteed return, but you have limited control, relatively high mandatory costs, and little opportunity for personal use.

1. Independent rental business requiring a great deal of personal commitment

This route offers the most potential—and the most risk. You buy a property in a resort without a central rental agency. You handle everything yourself: marketing, bookings, and maintenance. This can be lucrative in a prime location, but you need to know what you’re getting into. If the location isn’t well-known or isn’t in a great spot, you—as an ambitious landlord—can quickly find yourself in trouble.

After choosing a type of resort, the next decision is: will you go with a well-known chain like EuroParcs, or will you choose a small, nature-oriented resort?

Advantages of large parks:

• Strong marketing and, as a result, greater brand awareness
• Professional Management and Maintenance
• Often easier to finance through banks
• Resale is easier thanks to the administrator's extensive network

Advantages of small parks:

• Lower starting price
• More Personalized Contact and Service
• Less competition in resale
• A unique character, often with a friendly atmosphere

Note: Cheap doesn't always mean poor quality, but be discerning. Look up reviews on Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or Zoover to assess an organization's reputation. A large number of negative reviews can be a red flag, but be sure to put them in the right context.

Do you have a preference for a specific type of organization? If so, you can now search specifically for parks that match that preference. Use the requirements and preferences from Lesson 1 as a checklist. Consider:

• Travel time (up to 2.5 hours is often ideal)
• Target audience (nature enthusiasts vs. families)
• Amenities (swimming pool, restaurants, wellness center)
• Types of Homes (chalets, brick houses, tiny houses)
• Located in a natural setting or near cultural cities

Some useful websites for finding parks are:

• bungalowparkoverzicht.nl
• vakantieparknederland.nl

Use Google Maps to look for alternatives near an interesting park. The more unique the offering, the better your rental prospects (and your resale value).

Once you've selected a park, there are often two ways to purchase it:

Purchase through the park organization

• Often includes rental and maintenance services
• Warranty Options, Customization, and Support
• Streamlined purchasing process through a designated project notary

Buying through an outside real estate agent or a private seller

• Often a better price
• More choices from existing homes
• Option to assume benefits (such as garden rights or maintenance agreements) stipulated by the previous owner

Both approaches have their merits. The most important thing is that you know what you’re buying, under what terms, and that you understand how everything is arranged from a legal and practical standpoint. That’s exactly what our purchasing course is for. Once you’ve decided on a purchasing method, the next logical step is to get a complete picture of what’s available.

To get the full picture, you need to cast a wide net:

• Organizations' official sales websites (such as europarcsverkoop.nl)
• Real estate agent websites (such as SelectVakantievastgoed.nl)
• Listing platforms such as Funda, Pararius, and Huislijn.
• Search engines: For example, type “park address + for sale”
• Through the homeowners' association or residents' association of a housing complex (just drop by!)

When looking at ads, pay attention to a few key terms that often indicate exactly what you're buying:

• “Freehold,” “leasehold,” “annual plot”
• “Furnished,” “unfurnished,” or “move-in ready”
• “Clear title” or “buyer pays”

Be sure to check the park map to find answers to questions such as:

• How are the lots positioned in relation to the sun and amenities?
• How many vacation homes are there in the park, anyway?
• Where are the vacation homes for sale located?

Funda has a handy feature that lets you see which homes in a neighborhood have recently sold. This helps you determine realistic prices and see how quickly homes are selling. This is valuable information that ensures you’ll never overpay.

Buying a vacation home doesn’t start with randomly clicking on listings, but with a smart strategy. First, choose the type of organization that’s right for you, then select a resort based on your personal requirements, and finally, search for specific properties. Use both official and third-party channels to view the full range of listings. This way, you’ll avoid missing out on opportunities and increase your chances of buying the vacation home of your dreams!

Browse our selection or let us know what you're looking for. We'll take care of the search for you.