When you make an offer - whether it is done verbally, via email, through a text message, or by letter - you are always entering into a commitment. If the seller accepts your proposal, you must buy the house for the amount you have offered. If you have been too hasty and ultimately do not want to buy the property, you can, but the seller then has the right to claim compensation, usually amounting to 10% of the agreed price.

A text message can also serve as evidence in the purchase or sale of a property. The Court of First Instance in Ghent stated in 2012 that 'a text message is not an informal sales agreement or compromise, but a document that can serve as the beginning of proof.' To ensure your purchase, it is always advisable to put your agreements in writing and to be guided by your notary or real estate expert.