Online Searches: In recent years many Finland-wide and regional property search websites have emerged, some even providing a little service in English! However, the Finnish-only sites are generally quite simple and can be used with a rudimentary knowledge of the Finnish language. A list of common search terms is below:
Alue - Region (ex. Uusimaa) Aluetarkennus - District (ex. Helsinki) Asunto/Asunnot - Apartment/Apartments (dwelling) Asuntotyyppi - Type of dwelling Etsi - Look Hae - Search Hinta - Price Huoneluku - Number of rooms (often shortened to 1h, 2h etc) Kaikki - All / Everything Kerrostalo - Block of flats/apartments Loma-asunnot - Holiday houses Maakunta - Province (ex. Uusimaa) Omakotitalo - Detached house Paritalo - Semi-detached house Pieni - Small Pinta-ala - Size (square meters) Rivitalo - Row-house Talo(t) - House(s) Tontti/Tontit - Land Vuokra - Rent Vuokra-asunnot – Rental apartment |
Agencies: Many agencies offer properties for long-term rental (usually 1-year minimum) or for sale. Several large agencies which offer online property searches are listed below. Commissions vary but it is not unusual to pay the equivalent of one month's rent plus tax (currently 22%).
Banks, Insurance Companies and Foundations: Banks have vast amounts of information on house hunting, mortgages, right-of-occupancy properties, part-ownership properties and renting. Many banks, insurance companies and foundations also own properties that they let out.