Increase in prices owner-occupied dwellings slows down

In April 2008, prices of existing owner-occupied dwellings were on average 3.8 percent up on April 2007. Since August 2007, price increases relative to the same period one year previously slowed down. April’s price increase was the smallest of the past 14 months, as is reflected in the price index of owner-occupied houses.  

Prices went up for all types of homes. Prices of detached properties increased most (4.6 percent). With 3.0 percent, the smallest price increase was recorded for semi-detached houses. Prices were higher than one year ago across all Dutch provinces. With an average price increase of 7.2 percent compared to April 2007, North-Holland topped the list, just like in previous months. The smallest price increase (1.1 percent) was recorded in the province of Zeeland.

Prices of existing owner-occupied properties were 0.1 percent higher in April 2008 than in March. Prices increased most in the province of Flevoland. Prices fell in a number of other provinces, most substantially in the province of Limburg.

In April this year, 18.5 thousand residential properties changed hands on the housing market, an increase by 18 percent relative to April 2007.The number of flats and apartments sold was nearly 44 percent higher than twelve months previously. The number of homes sold may vary strongly from one month to another. The number of houses sold in March, for example, was 21 percent down on one year previously.

The average purchase price of owner-occupied dwellings, as published by the Land Registry Office usually differs from the price index of owner-occupied dwellings, but the change in the average purchase price is not an indicator for price developments of existing owner-occupied houses. For further information on this subject, see the article "Why the average dwelling purchase price is not an indicator."

Prices of owner-occupied dwellings