Decline in house price slightly less substantial

Prices of existing owner-occupied houses sold in December 2010 were on average 0.8 percent lower than in December 2009. According to the price index of existing residential property – a joint publication by Statistics Netherlands and the Land Registry Office – the price drop was slightly less substantial than in October and November, when house prices were 1.1 percent down on one year previously.

Prices of detached houses dropped most. In December, prices of detached houses were 1.3 percent down on one year previously. Flats, terraced houses and corner houses were also cheaper, while prices of semi-detached houses were 0.8 percent up on December 2009.

Prices dropped in all provinces except in North Holland where houses were 0.4 percent more expensive than in December 2009. With 2.7 percent, Limburg showed the largest price drop.

Prices of existing residential property also dropped relative to November 2010. With 0.2 percent, the price drop was just a bit smaller than in November, when prices were 0.3 percent down on the preceding month.

Over 14 thousand existing houses changed hands in December, i.e. a decrease by 9 percent relative to December 2009. Altogether, 126 thousand houses were sold in the Netherlands in 2010, slightly fewer than in 2009, but more detached and semi-detached houses were sold.

Prices of existing own homes

More figures can be found on the theme page Prices.