Stark Real Estate
Karola Grünenbaum guides you through the Hague housing market
With her book 'The Hague, Houses & Happiness', Karola Grünenbaum helps people find a new home. "It doesn't matter if you come from Russia or Germany, the rules here are completely different from back home," she says.
DATE
30 April 2020
TEXT
Annerieke Simeone
IMAGE
Frank Jansen
Stark Real Estate
Karola Grünenbaum guides you through the Hague housing market
With her book 'The Hague, Houses & Happiness', Karola Grünenbaum helps people find a new home. "It doesn't matter if you come from Russia or Germany, the rules here are completely different from back home," she says.
"It's not about bricks and mortar, it's about people." Speaking is Karola Grünenbaum, owner of Stark Real Estate. German by origin with mainly an expat clientele. Dutch, English and sometimes a word of German alternate during the conversation that takes place at the Hilton hotel. "My world consists of being social. That it is about people, some brokers forget. When I was still employed, I was sometimes called asking: 'Where are you?' Then I would reply: 'I'm talking to someone'."
'I'm not about teamwork, I'm about team spirit'
The always impeccable-looking Grünenbaum raises her eyebrows. "Yes, I have to sell houses to people, don't I? You know, that corporate lifestyle doesn't appeal to me. I want to give colleagues room to flourish. I am not into teamwork, I am into team spirit.
You can wear the same uniform, that doesn't mean you want to achieve the same goal. The three freelancers I am working with now are driven, there is piri piri in that."
Stark Real Estate
Administrative chores the owner of Stark Real Estate prefers to outsource to them. "I do what I'm good at: buying and selling. I'm very dedicated, I go through fire for my clients." Working days of 10, 12 hours are not exceptional, she says. "I don't let anything slip. I sit on top of work like a modern-day gladiator. That's why I never mess with people, never had a claim on my trousers."
Russians and Americans
Working with international audiences remains surprising, says Grünenbaum. Although. Some wishes she can predict in advance. "Italians want a bidet in the bathroom and Russians and Americans find almost everything they see in greater The Hague on the small side. They are really shocked that we have such small kitchens. And only one bathroom. Ideally, they would like each to have their own bathroom."
The Hague, Houses & Happiness
For those who already want to find their way around the Dutch housing market, her English-language book 'The Hague, Houses & Happiness' was published in March. The subtitle: '7 insider secrets to buying your next home at a great price without hassles'.
Crazy Fate
"It doesn't matter if you are from Russia or Germany, the rules here are completely different from back home. It starts with finances. What kind of mortgage can you get here? Who should I go to? It makes no sense to go looking like a crazy Lotje for an eight-tonne house in the Statenkwartier if you can only get five tonnes. Besides, you want to go on holiday sometime, don't you?"
'The three freelancers I work with now are driven, there's piri piri in that'
To find a mortgage, according to the owner of Stark Real Estate, it is better to seek advice from an intermediary than a bank. "A bank only offers its own products," she says. The book also includes a checklist she uses herself. She lists: "Do you want a lift? A garden? A staircase? A fireplace? One or two bathrooms? Couples have to agree on that first, though. Yes, that list is much more extensive than I am telling you now. I like clarity." Laughing: "I remain a German, of course, lol."
text Annerieke Simeone image Frank Jansen
"It's not about bricks and mortar, it's about people." Speaking is Karola Grünenbaum, owner of Stark Real Estate. German by origin with mainly an expat clientele. Dutch, English and sometimes a word of German alternate during the conversation that takes place at the Hilton hotel. "My world consists of being social. That it is about people, some brokers forget. When I was still employed, I was sometimes called asking: 'Where are you?' Then I would reply: 'I'm talking to someone'."
'I'm not about teamwork, I'm about team spirit'
The always impeccable-looking Grünenbaum raises her eyebrows. "Yes, I have to sell houses to people, don't I? You know, that corporate lifestyle doesn't appeal to me. I want to give colleagues room to flourish. I am not into teamwork, I am into team spirit.
You can wear the same uniform, that doesn't mean you want to achieve the same goal. The three freelancers I am working with now are driven, there is piri piri in that."
Stark Real Estate
Administrative chores the owner of Stark Real Estate prefers to outsource to them. "I do what I'm good at: buying and selling. I'm very dedicated, I go through fire for my clients." Working days of 10, 12 hours are not exceptional, she says. "I don't let anything slip. I sit on top of work like a modern-day gladiator. That's why I never mess with people, never had a claim on my trousers."
Russians and Americans
Working with international audiences remains surprising, says Grünenbaum. Although. Some wishes she can predict in advance. "Italians want a bidet in the bathroom and Russians and Americans find almost everything they see in greater The Hague on the small side. They are really shocked that we have such small kitchens. And only one bathroom. Ideally, they would like each to have their own bathroom."
The Hague, Houses & Happiness
For those who already want to find their way around the Dutch housing market, her English-language book 'The Hague, Houses & Happiness' was published in March. The subtitle: '7 insider secrets to buying your next home at a great price without hassles'.
Crazy Fate
"It doesn't matter if you are from Russia or Germany, the rules here are completely different from back home. It starts with finances. What kind of mortgage can you get here? Who should I go to? It makes no sense to go looking like a crazy Lotje for an eight-tonne house in the Statenkwartier if you can only get five tonnes. Besides, you want to go on holiday sometime, don't you?"
'The three freelancers I work with now are driven, there's piri piri in that'
To find a mortgage, according to the owner of Stark Real Estate, it is better to seek advice from an intermediary than a bank. "A bank only offers its own products," she says. The book also includes a checklist she uses herself. She lists: "Do you want a lift? A garden? A staircase? A fireplace? One or two bathrooms? Couples have to agree on that first, though. Yes, that list is much more extensive than I am telling you now. I like clarity." Laughing: "I remain a German, of course, lol."
