14-1-2022 —
The supply of homes for sale in the Netherlands has decreased again. This is apparent from the NVM's housing market figures for the fourth quarter of 2021. More than 35,000 homes were sold in the fourth quarter. That is about 23% less compared to a year earlier. The offer for sale at the end of Q4 2021 is only 15,600 homes, 33% less than a year ago. The pressure on home seekers therefore remains high. In 2021 as a whole, more than 140,000 homes were sold against more than 172,000 homes in 2020, a decrease of 19%. The increased scarcity is again leading to sharp price increases. The average sales price of an existing home rose to € 438,000 in the 4th quarter of 2021 and of a new-build home to € 466,000. This is an increase compared to the 4th quarter of 2020 of 20.7% for an existing home and 13.8% for a new-build home.
Tomorrow the NVM will announce another declining housing supply and increased sales prices. Homeowners do not put their home up for sale without a view of another suitable home. The NVM notes that the completion and realization of new construction is still stagnating. So the flow stalls and the market stalls. The focus on a wider range of housing is crucial. That is why we also have to get the new building started quickly. Then the flow in the housing market starts. As NVM, we are committed every day to provide consumers with living comfort and enjoyment. That is a fundamental right and our members feel like no other how great and urgent this need is in society. This requires a lot and the NVM is pleased that our request for a Minister of Housing and Housing with direction and perseverance has been met. Together we stand for a major and responsible effort to offer homeowners and home seekers what they want: a suitable home. The NVM therefore calls on Minister De Jonge to form a “Building Stimulation Team”-BST. This BST includes parties from the field and civil society and supports the Minister positively and constructively with advice and action. A practical platform for periodic consultation with public and private parties. This accelerates the vision into implementation. This is crucial to solving the housing shortage. We cannot afford to lose any more time. Home seekers count on us.
We are in a vicious circle in the current market. The flow is halted by too little supply and the shortage is pushing up prices. A dichotomy in society is looming, with homeowners and home seekers increasingly confronting each other. Low interest rates, equity in existing homes, savings and confidence in the economy easily lead to high bids and prices. Pointing and blaming is already on the rise. Seniors are told that they do not want to move. That's too easy. There is simply no suitable offer for this target group. This inhibits the initiation of a chain of houses coming up for sale. There is a clear role here for the NVM broker. It is about the essence of the real estate profession: bringing supply and demand and a buyer and seller together. As local and regional experts, we map out the demand. In this way we help the government, local and regional, with their housing policy issues. Tailor-made construction, initiating flow and thus making the right and larger range available. This also benefits the affordability of housing. Don't wait any longer, but pick up and work together. That's what buyers and sellers expect.
Existing housing in the Netherlands in figures
· More than 35,000 homes were sold in the 4th quarter of 2021, almost 23% less than in the fourth quarter of 2020. Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2021, this is a plus of 10%. On an annual basis NVM brokers sold more than 140,000 homes;
· The transaction price will amount to € 438,000 in the 4th quarter of 2021, an increase on an annual basis of more than 20%. This puts the increase for the third consecutive quarter at around 20% year-on-year;
· The price of terraced houses has risen the most: by 22.5% in one year to NLG 386,000.=. The price of apartments rose by almost 20% to € 373,000 in one year. Detached homes note an average of € 645,000, also an increase of 18% on an annual basis;
· Approximately 80% of the homes were sold above the asking price. In percentage terms, terraced houses are the most outbid. Detached houses record the lowest percentage overbid;
· It now takes an average of 23 days for a home to be sold. That is 1 day longer compared to the 3rd quarter of 2021. The lower limit in terms of sales time seems to have been reached.
Current supply of existing buildings in the Netherlands
· The supply on the owner-occupied housing market remains modest with a shortage indicator of 1.3. The shortage indicator expresses the number of options a potential buyer has in the housing market;
At the end of the 4th quarter
