Picture yourself on a sun-drenched terrace in the tranquil Essen-Heikant neighborhood, coffee in hand, watching the morning light filter through mature trees that border your 1,153-square-meter private garden. This is the daily reality at this spacious 400-square-meter villa on Nolsebaan, where recently renovated interiors meet the unhurried pace of Belgian border living, just minutes from Dutch cities and European transport corridors. For families seeking a versatile vacation home or international professionals needing a second residence between Belgium and the Netherlands, this property delivers rare flexibility: seven bedrooms, dedicated workspace, fitness facilities, and entertainment areas that adapt to however you choose to spend your European getaway.
The Essen-Heikant area represents one of Belgium's most appealing locations for second home buyers who value both peaceful residential character and strategic positioning. Situated mere kilometers from the Dutch border, this villa places you within easy driving distance of Antwerp's cultural treasures (30 minutes), Breda's historic city center (20 minutes), and Rotterdam's international airport (60 minutes). The cross-border location means you can explore two countries from a single base: cycle through Dutch polders on Sunday morning, attend Antwerp's renowned summer festivals by afternoon, and return to your private sanctuary by evening. The neighborhood itself embodies the best of Flemish suburban living, with tree-lined streets, well-maintained homes, and a genuine sense of community that welcomes international residents.
Approaching through the automatic gate, the villa's detached architecture and mature landscaping immediately signal the privacy that defines your time here. Built in 1978 but comprehensively renovated to contemporary standards, the residence balances period proportions with modern expectations for comfort and efficiency. The energy label C certification reflects thoughtful insulation upgrades and an efficient central heating system, keeping operational costs reasonable for owners who may use the property seasonally or rent it during their absence.
The ground floor layout demonstrates exceptional design foresight for vacation property use. The entrance hall with separate cloakroom and guest toilet provides practical space for arrivals and departures, crucial when hosting extended family or managing rental turnovers. The versatile playroom converts effortlessly between children's activity space, guest bedroom, or creative studio depending on your needs each visit. Adjacent, the fitness or hobby room offers dedicated wellness space without consuming primary living areas, a feature increasingly valued by health-conscious international buyers who maintain exercise routines regardless of location.
The well-equipped kitchen anchors daily life, with modern appliances and ample storage meeting the demands of both family cooking and entertainment preparation. The adjacent bright veranda extends your usable space across seasons, functioning as casual dining area in spring, shaded reading nook in summer, and plant-filled conservatory during cooler months. This connection between interior and garden views creates the indoor-outdoor flow that defines successful vacation home living, where boundaries between rooms and landscape blur throughout the day.
The utility room with built-in cabinetry addresses practical realities often overlooked in vacation properties: managing linens between guest visits, handling sports equipment after cycling excursions through surrounding countryside, organizing seasonal decorations and maintenance supplies. The spacious living room showcases the home's architectural strengths, with windows on multiple sides flooding spaces with natural light regardless of season or time of day. The custom wall unit provides display and storage that eliminates clutter, while the partition wall with built-in fireplace creates intimate zones within the open plan, perfect for cool autumn evenings when extended family gathers after exploring nearby Kalmthoutse Heide nature reserve.
The ground floor office space holds particular value for digital professionals maintaining flexible work arrangements. With reliable Belgian internet infrastructure and proximity to both Belgian and Dutch business centers, this dedicated workspace transforms the villa into a genuine work-from-anywhere solution. The additional ground floor bedroom serves multiple scenarios: elderly parents visiting for extended stays, live-in caretaker accommodation during your absence, or rental guests seeking main floor accessibility.
Herringbone-patterned PVC flooring throughout the ground level delivers both aesthetic appeal and vacation-home practicality, resisting wear from frequent use while maintaining elegant appearance with minimal maintenance. This attention to durable, low-maintenance finishes continues throughout the renovation, reflecting an understanding that second home owners require quality materials that perform reliably with periodic rather than daily oversight.
Ascending to the first floor reveals three exceptionally spacious bedrooms designed to accommodate various family configurations or rental scenarios. The generous proportions allow for flexible furniture arrangements, from king-sized beds with seating areas to twin configurations for children or groups. The brand-new bathroom represents a significant value addition, featuring a freestanding bathtub for leisurely soaks after hiking expeditions, double washbasin managing morning routines efficiently, and walk-in shower with contemporary fixtures meeting modern expectations. The separate dressing room provides wardrobe space often lacking in vacation properties, allowing owners to maintain seasonal clothing on-site rather than packing extensively for each visit.
The outdoor spaces define this property's vacation appeal. The meticulously maintained garden offers multiple zones for different activities: large terrace for al fresco dining and sunset aperitifs, open lawn for children's games or casual sports, mature plantings creating shaded retreat corners for afternoon reading. The wooden garden house stores outdoor furniture during off-season, bicycles for exploring regional cycling routes, and gardening equipment. The fully fenced perimeter with secure automatic gate provides parents peace of mind and pet owners containment, while the generous 1,153-square-meter plot ensures genuine privacy from neighbors, rare at this price point near border communities experiencing development pressure.
Seasonal rhythms in Essen and surrounding areas offer diverse vacation experiences. Spring brings cycling season along dedicated paths crisscrossing Belgian and Dutch countryside, with tulip fields blooming across the border and outdoor café terraces reopening in nearby towns. Summer transforms the region into family activity hub: day trips to Belgian coast beaches (90 minutes), exploring Antwerp Zoo, attending open-air concerts in Dutch cities, or simply enjoying long evenings in your private garden. Autumn draws food enthusiasts to regional markets celebrating harvest season, with Belgian beer culture and Dutch cheese traditions both easily accessed. Winter brings different pleasures: Christmas markets in historic city centers, cozy evenings by your villa's fireplace, and occasional snow transforming the garden into winter wonderland.
The local dining scene reflects border region character, with authentic Belgian brasseries serving stoofvlees and mussels alongside Dutch pancake houses and international restaurants catering to the area's cosmopolitan population. Grocery shopping accommodates various preferences, from Belgian supermarket chains to Dutch Albert Heijn stores across the border, while weekly markets provide fresh regional produce. For extended cultural experiences, Antwerp's fashion scene, museums, and shopping districts lie just 30 minutes away, while Dutch cities like Breda and Tilburg offer alternative entertainment and dining options.
For international buyers, this property presents compelling investment fundamentals. The location between two countries attracts rental demand from cross-border professionals, relocated families needing temporary accommodation, and tourists exploring the region. The seven-bedroom configuration supports both traditional vacation rentals and increasingly popular extended family gatherings or group bookings. The recent renovation and good condition minimize immediate capital requirements, allowing new owners to generate rental income while gradually personalizing spaces to their taste.
Belgium offers relatively straightforward property acquisition for international buyers, with established legal frameworks and professional service networks supporting cross-border transactions. Property taxes in Belgium remain moderate compared to neighboring countries, while rental income taxation follows clear guidelines. The villa's energy efficiency and modern systems reduce operational costs, important for owners managing properties remotely. Local property management companies in the Essen area can handle rental marketing, guest services, and routine maintenance, enabling hands-off ownership for buyers based elsewhere in Europe or beyond.
The Essen property market benefits from sustained demand driven by border proximity and quality-of-life factors. Properties offering this combination of space, condition, and location maintain value well, with the substantial plot size providing additional security given ongoing land scarcity in the region. The comprehensive renovation completed means buyers avoid the uncertainty and expense of major projects, instead moving directly to enjoyment or rental phase.
Key features:
• 400m² living space across two floors with 7 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, separate toilet
• 1,153m² fully fenced garden with automatic gate, large terrace, wooden storage house
• Recently renovated throughout with herringbone PVC floors, modern kitchen, new bathroom
• Dedicated home office, fitness/hobby room, playroom adaptable to multiple uses
• Bright veranda connecting interior to garden views, partition fireplace in living area
• Practical utility room with built-in storage, separate dressing room on first floor
• Energy label C with efficient central heating system for comfort and economy
• Three extra-spacious first-floor bedrooms accommodating various configurations
• Prime Essen-Heikant location minutes from Dutch border, 30 minutes to Antwerp
• Secure private setting ideal for families, pets, or rental guests
• Excellent access to Rotterdam airport, Belgian coast, regional nature reserves
• Strong rental potential from cross-border professionals and vacation market
This villa represents a rare opportunity to secure substantial space, modern comfort, and strategic European positioning at a competitive price point. Whether you envision multi-generational family holidays, a flexible work-and-vacation base, or an income-generating investment property, the versatile layout and prime location support diverse ownership scenarios. The combination of recent renovation quality, generous outdoor space, and cross-border convenience creates lasting value for discerning international buyers.
Discover how this Essen villa could become your European base for creating memories, exploring two countries from one home, and enjoying the balanced lifestyle that defines successful vacation property ownership. Contact Homestra today to arrange your private viewing and explore the possibilities this exceptional property offers for your European adventure.
