10. Is the brokerage commission included in the ‘buyer’s costs’?

No. The ‘buyer’s costs’ cover the costs that the government links to the ownership transfer of a property. These are the transfer tax, the notarial fees for drawing up the deed of sale and deed of ownership and the registration costs. In addition, as the buyer, you must take account of the (notarial) fees for drawing up and registering the mortgage deed. If the selling party has employed a real estate agent to sell the property, the seller pays the relevant costs for that. After all, the seller’s agent represents the seller’s interests, and not yours as the buyer. This is why it is usually a good idea to engage a real estate agent. The buyer also pays the brokerage commission for a buyer’s agent.