Expat Gate Reviews 35

So many words of gratitude! We knew from the start that we won't take on all the risks associated with buying an apartment due to a lack of understanding of all the nuances…So we decided to ask for help from ExpatGate. It was a great pleasure to work with Olga Habets-Voinich. Communication went very smoothly, as we clarified any unclear issues from the start and during the process. Olga is very responsive and enthusiastic professional, and, on top of that, a kind and caring person. We felt that we were being guided and were in good hands. We had a clear vision for the apartment, and we just needed to be sure that it would be understood clearly…But we didn’t expect that we’ll find our home in a month!

We also were happy with the mortgage advisor, Edwin, who was available and responded to us fairly quickly. Many thanks to him too! Buying new home is a stress as well as immigration/relocation process, so I think that you should delegate this to professionals not to get a burnout or depression as a result.

ExpatGate — is a service with a human touch, I would recommend it with all my heart to expats who feel uncertain about local housing market and want to get all the details and questions covered.

Kindest regards,
Ilona and Vitalii

Our experience working with Expat Gate was incredibly smooth and fast, as the results speak for themselves. We worked with Olga, who is an exceptionally open, friendly, and highly responsible agent. She was always available throughout the entire process, instantly answering all of our questions—even the silly ones, of which we had plenty as first-time buyers.
We found our dream home surprisingly quickly, after just three viewings. We explored different towns and neighborhoods instead of limiting ourselves to the initial research, and this hands-on experience really helped us pinpoint exactly where we wanted to live.
A huge bonus was the guidance we received on our bidding strategy. If we had been searching on our own and relying solely on online estimates, we would have never even tried to go for this house (online platforms suggested bidding a much higher amount). Olga, however, recommended a much more realistic figure, which ended up winning on our very first bid! As a result, we got our dream home without overpaying.
Thank you so much for everything!

Two days ago I moved into my new apartment (just over 3 months after signing with Expat Gate) and almost 6 weeks of that timeline was simply waiting for a notary slot.

My case was not easy at all: many requirements, restrictions, and things that had to align perfectly. That’s why it still feels kind of extraordinary that I found a great apartment in 7 weeks and won with the second bid. Luba and the Expat Gate team did an amazing (miraculous) job. This experience really showed me the value of working with real professionals who know how to strategise and negotiate in the Dutch housing market.

Absolutely worth the money, especially when I now see friends and colleagues searching for half a year or losing their seventh bid in a row.. Very grateful to Luba for all the guidance, patience and support on the way!

Absolutely positive experience! We worked with Olga Voinich, and it was such a pleasure from start to finish.

Our initial request was quite challenging: we wanted to move, but we had no idea where exactly. Olga prepared a detailed report for us, answered tons of follow-up questions, and helped us start our journey of finding a new home with confidence.

I don’t even remember how many properties we viewed, but throughout the whole process I always felt calm and supported because Olga was always there for us: if not physically, then always available and in touch.

We are a family of three with a toddler, and Olga always took that into consideration. She gave us valuable insights about neighborhoods specifically from a parent’s perspective, which was incredibly helpful.

In total, our search took around two months, and we ended up buying a house that we definitely would not have bought without ExpatGates. We are so happy we chose to work together, and I’m already recommending ExpatGates to all our friends!

We reached out to Expat Gate via a friend recommendation, and we couldn't have been happier! We were lucky to work with Olga, who supported us every step of the way. From the first introductory meeting to the signing of the deal, Olga was taking great care of us, always quick to reply to any questions and guide us through all the intricacies of the local housing market. She made this complex process smooth and efficient, and now we are happy first time homeowners!

I really appreciated working with Anastasia and her approach throughout the whole process. I especially liked her method of starting with the apartment where I was living (and where I have now moved out!). This helped me clearly identify what I appreciated there, what I wanted to keep, and what I wanted to have differently in my future home.

Anastasia is excellent at balancing personal preferences with the reality of the market. She was honest and practical in helping me calibrate my options, and her knowledge of the market and prices was invaluable. In the end, I chose her as a person who can understand my preferences and lifestyle to secure future place to meet my needs. Thanks to her guidance, we made just 1 offer and successfully won, saving €15,000 in the process.

I feel very well supported throughout and can wholeheartedly recommend working with her.

Throughout the whole process, Anastasia was there to guide us through every little nuance. She always did thorough research and double-checked details, and more than once her attention to detail helped us spot potential issues early and feel confident about our decisions.

She also connected us with a great mortgage advisor and appraiser. Both were super responsive and professional, and they made the financial side of things feel clear, smooth, and well organized.

Highly recommended!

We were delighted to work with Anastasia. She came highly recommended by friends and we’re so glad we chose her.

Since we weren’t familiar with local specifics, the comprehensive pre-purchase research provided at the contract stage was incredibly helpful for us to review and understand everything properly.

What made our experience especially comfortable was that Anastasia took the time to discuss all our wishes for a home down to the smallest details.
The result - just one viewing, one bid and our dream home became ours!

We’d also like to highlight her recommendations for a mortgage agent and appraiser - both were true professionals who helped us handle all the financial matters quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, we opted for a structural inspection, and Anastasia was present both at the viewing and during the inspection itself. This created a wonderful sense of support and gave us valuable opportunities to examine the house more thoroughly.

We’re extremely satisfied with entire process and would happily recommend this agency to others.

I had an absolutely outstanding experience with Anastasia from Expat Gate. From our initial meeting to closing, her guidance was professional, efficient, and highly effective.
I was looking for my dream apartment, and thanks to her expert strategy and deep understanding of the market, I secured the property on my very first attempt! People still don't believe me:))
​The most valuable assistance came in the form of her advice on the bidding process. We managed to win the bid just 1000 euro more than the next offer!
Highly recommended:))

We had a great experience working with Olga from Expat Gate.
Our first meeting was in the middle of August, and by the middle of November we already had the keys to our new apartment.

We consciously decided not to go with the full package (where the makelaar joins all viewings), because we actually wanted to check out every apartment that looked even remotely close to what we liked (our main criteria was the overall “vibe”, which usually doesn’t translate well to photos). So for scheduling, it was just more convenient to go to viewings alone. But for anyone who plans a more efficient search and/or has more defined criteria, I’d advise going with the full package. Also, for shy people. Our first “study” viewing with Olga was extremely useful - what to ask, what to say, where to look. A lot of things we simply didn’t know. And Olga is such a vibrant, charismatic person that everyone likes her immediately, from other makelaars to potential neighbors. Which makes them spill some tea!

In the end, we made two bids, but I’d call it one and a half. For the first one, we weren’t sure, and we bid significantly lower than what Olga advised (our logic was: if we lose, we’re not sad; if we win, we’re happy with the price). But with the second one, we were determined to get it - and we did! I’ll also note that the final taxatie price was predicted by Olga very accurately, and she even advised us to bid lower than what we originally were ready to.

At the beginning, Expat Gate also did a property research for us as a separate service. This one I would actually advise them to make optional, because it can be extremely useful for some people, but not that much for others. For example, our friends - who actually recommended Expat Gate to us in the first place - were super happy with the research, almost to the point of setting unrealistic expectations for us. But we originally wanted to buy without a makelaar at all, so by the time we started working with Expat Gate, we already knew a lot of the information. Plus, our criteria were very fluid. We had many of them, but were also ready to drop them if we liked something, or reject a place that ticked all the boxes just because the vibe was wrong. So in our case, this “we’re not entirely sure what we want exactly” problem couldn’t really be solved with the research, because it was intentional, not the result of lack of preparation. In the end, the thing we actually used a lot from the research was the map of “good” neighborhoods, which turned out to be very helpful and saved us a lot of time. We ended up checking every listing against this map first. And a few times we checked apartments in “bad” neighborhoods and it was indeed a waste of time - the descriptions in the research were very accurate.

All checks (and our requests for some extra checks) were handled by Olga quickly and efficiently. More than once she warned us about potential red flags or things that might not be bad by themselves but, for example, could complicate the mortgage.

Another great thing: we once found an almost perfect apartment and were ready to bid, but there was a construction site right next to the building. It didn’t bother us much, but we asked Olga to check when it would end. She checked - and came back with some bad news about the purpose of that construction, which was… not great for us. I won’t go into details, but I’m still very relieved that she didn’t just answer our question but also did some digging and gave us context.

I also want to mention that Olga seems genuinely invested in the result and really makes an effort to help.

Thank you very much, Olga and Expat Gate, for making this whole process so much easier for us!

Expat Gate made it easy for me to buy a house. Their team really paid attention to what I wanted and helped me every step of the way. I couldn't be happier with our new home.

Our experience with Expat Gate was exactly what we hoped for. The whole buying process was arranged in a way that left us only with the pleasant part: making choices and deciding what we liked. Everything else, from mortgage advisor to notary and all the paperwork, was taken care of. It felt safe and well organized, and we never had to worry about the details.

What really made the difference for us was Olga. She was our manager and she was incredible. Always there when we needed her, even on weekends, patient, supportive, and kind. She guided us through every step and made the process not only smooth but also very human. If we were to buy another property, we would definitely want to work with Olga again.

An Exceptional Experience From Start to Finish

Thank you so much, Olga and Anastasia, for your incredible support! You don’t just do your job — you do it with heart, care, and dedication, which is so rare to find nowadays. Your guidance and commitment helped us make one of the most important decisions of our lives — and unbelievably, within just 24 hours!

From the very beginning, you were there with us step by step: patient, honest, and fully invested in our journey. Olga was available even on weekends and public holidays, making sure no moment was lost in this competitive market. Thanks to her deep knowledge of the process, local laws, and market dynamics, we were able to avoid bidding altogether — something we consider both a miracle and a result of her tireless work and professionalism, as well as our quick reaction.

The inspection of the house was very thorough. Every detail mattered — from the sound insulation to even checking in with the neighbors (yes, it was our request) — nothing was overlooked. The company also works with an amazing network of trustworthy partners — the technical inspector and mortgage advisor they recommended were clear, honest, and reliable. Everyone involved gave us a realistic and transparent picture of what was possible and how best to achieve it.

While this was the very first house we viewed — and bought — we can't judge how they conduct market research for the ideal city or property, but judging from what we experienced, we are confident that based on the in-depth conversations and research Olga did with us, including area assessments and personalized needs, this company would handle any market search with the same level of attention and care.

We’re truly grateful for your help and wish you all the best, both professionally and personally. Your work made a difference — and gave us a home... and one more thing: that thoroughly thought-out gift at the official moment at the notary was so touching.

With all our appreciation,
Gabriele and Liliia

I am incredibly grateful for Anastasia’s expert guidance and professional support throughout the process of purchasing my first property in Amsterdam. What initially felt like a stressful and unfamiliar experience quickly became manageable and even enjoyable with Anastasia by my side.

From our very first meeting, Anastasia demonstrated integrity, deep knowledge of the Amsterdam real estate market, and a genuine commitment to helping me find the right home. She was with me every step of the way—from the early viewings and market orientation, through the bidding process, and all the way to the final contract signing—offering insightful advice and consistently clear communication.

Anastasia took the time to understand my needs and priorities, responded thoughtfully to all my questions, and adapted her strategies to ensure the best possible outcome. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and client-first approach made a real difference.

More than just a real estate agent, Anastasia is a trusted advisor who brings both expertise and empathy to the table. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to buy their dream home in the Netherlands.

We are very grateful for the experience we got with Anastasia and ExpatGate for all of the help with the first house purchase. Anastasia picked nicely all our wills, our character and where we would like to live long-term. The basic analysis provided helped us to narrow down the area of the search and during the process even make a precise region where we would feel a comfort, a pacification and close commute with places we need.

Anastasia provided us a good assistance and made our mind clear during this intense and stressful process. She checked all of the documents and provided insight of the processes as well as assisted with managing all processes for purchase, so the only thing we had to worry is how to make our future house a beautiful and comfortable nest.

The experience of checking houses by yourself is quite valuable. The instructions to what notice for were clear and informational. They allowed us to know what to look for in the future if we would like to live in other place. Also, own viewings allowed us to look house for us instead of choosing house, which is more suitable for a makelaar. She just hinted, which houses may be better not to choose due to visible defects or what is not suitable for us. And the hints were correct.

Anastasia is not just a makelaar, she is the carrying guide, who will listen, understand and give a hand in this complex process.

With the help of Anastasia and ExpatGate we now live in our dream home!

I worked with Lubov Fedunova from ExpatGate and would like to commend her for her exceptional professionalism and deep expertise in the Dutch real estate market.

She demonstrated a thorough understanding of the housing landscape in the Netherlands and consistently provided insightful, well-informed advice. She approaches her work with great diligence and integrity, always ensuring that her clients are making good decisions. Her candid assessments during property viewings were especially valuable — if a house presented significant drawbacks, she was transparent about them and never encouraged a purchase that was not in the client’s best interest.

Her attention to detail and commitment to high standards were evident throughout the entire process. She was consistently punctual, well-prepared for every viewing, and proactive in addressing all aspects of the search and negotiation phases.

Lubov and the team at ExpatGate can be recommended without hesitation to anyone seeking knowledgeable, trustworthy, and client-focused real estate guidance in the Netherlands!

We recently had the pleasure of working with Anastasia from Expat Gate, and she was amazing! Our family, which includes a 3.5-year-old daughter and a big cat, was in a tough spot when our landlord told us our rental contract would end in mid-March, with no extension. Finding a new rental on such short notice seemed impossible, especially one close to our daughter's kindergarten. Hotels were out of the question due to high costs and pet restrictions.

In this stressful time, we decided to buy a house, as there were more properties for sale than for rent. Despite being told that purchasing a house within three months was unrealistic, we decided to try. We put a bid on a house we liked, but the price we suggested was apparently way higher than the fair price. The owner agreed immediately, which raised a red flag for us. Looking back, we understand that this would have been a mistake – the house was not worth that amount.

This gave us an understanding that without knowing the market we may get in trouble and we reached out to Anastasia. From our first meeting, she managed to calm our panic and provided excellent advice. She explained the specifics of the Dutch market, gave high-level estimations, and outlined the best strategies for our situation.

Although no makelaars were available at Expat Gate initially, we were so impressed with Anastasia that we decided to wait for two to three weeks. Expat Gate maintains a high level of service and does not take on more clients than they can handle, ensuring excellent service. During this waiting period, Anastasia conducted thorough market research in Bergen op Zoom and nearby towns, advising us to start viewing houses to get a feel for the market.

We were fortunate that Anastasia became available after three weeks, and we began working together. She informed us about possible payment plans and recommended the most cost-effective option. We arranged several house viewings with her, and her professional insights made a significant difference. She asked critical questions and provided valuable feedback.

The best part was feeling that a team of professionals had our back, and Anastasia always gave perfect advice about pricing and warned us if there could be any dark sides.

We bid on a house, and lost, but the purchase price was just a bit higher than Anastasia suggested, which means the estimation done by her team was very accurate. Thanks to Anastasia's expertise and dedication, we achieved what seemed impossible – we found and purchased a house within three months. Along the way, she advised us against one property due to potential issues and identified our eventual home as a lucky find in terms of location, condition, price, and availability.

We are incredibly grateful to Anastasia and Expat Gate for their exceptional service and support during this challenging time. We highly recommend them to anyone in need of real estate assistance.

I had an absolutely amazing experience purchasing my apartment, all thanks to the outstanding work of Olga. From the very beginning, she was by my side, guiding me through every step of the process with professionalism, care, and unwavering support.
Olga was always there to answer my questions, solve any issues that arose, and make the entire journey smooth and stress-free. Her expertise, attention to detail, and dedication made me feel confident and secure throughout the whole transaction.
She does everything possible to ensure the best outcome, and Olga is exactly that kind of person. I will be recommending her to everyone I know, as well as the entire Makelar team. They truly provide exceptional service!

6 viewings, 2 bids and after 1.5 months of search we got a lovely apartment. It might sound unrealistic on a tough Dutch housing market, but having such an incredible partner like Expat Gate made it possible.
I had an absolute pleasure working with Olga who guided me through the entire process. Being a trusted advisor Olga addressed all concerns and elaborated on the strategy for smart bidding.

There are a couple of things that were pivotal for our successful purchase:
1. Listening to our needs and critical requirements which helped us save time and let us focus on the suitable objects.
2. Taking into consideration the scarce resources we had for bidding. Olga's advices were essential to avoid overpayment and allowed us even save money.
Overall process was flawless and carefully managed.
Once I decide to buy another home, Olga and Expat Gate will be definitely my go-to professionals.

Thanks a million for your support!

Excellent Real Estate Agency!

We had a great experience with this agency from start to finish! Their team conducted thorough research and helped us understand exactly what we were looking for in a new home. They took the time to understand our needs and preferences, ensuring that every property we viewed aligned with our vision. Anastasia or Olga accompanied us to every viewing and provided invaluable advice throughout the entire process. Their expertise and insights made a big difference, especially when we faced uncertainties or had questions. They were always ready to listen and offer guidance, which made us feel supported every step of the way. What stood out the most was their commitment to fast communication; no question was too small or unimportant for them. They were incredibly approachable and professional, creating a welcoming atmosphere that made the experience enjoyable rather than stressful. I wholeheartedly recommend this agency to anyone searching for a property in Het Gooi.

Thanks to Anastasia we now live in our dream home!