The housing market was very active, with plenty of homes available, quick sales, and a moderate price increase of 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In Q4 of 2024, there were over 43,000 home transactions, which is nearly 7,000 more than in 2023. This shows a notable increase in activity compared to Q4 of 2023.

The sharp increase in transactions was driven by positive market sentiment, falling mortgage rates, higher wages, and surplus value from movers. More homes were also listed as investors sold rental properties, and the combination of high demand and limited supply led to quick sales.

Over 14,000 apartments were sold in Q4, a historically high number, with a 28% increase from the previous quarter. Notably, more buyers aged 25 to 35 purchased apartments, while the 50+ age group bought fewer.

The average home price sold by NVM agents this quarter is €483,000, up €9,000 or 2.5% from last quarter.

As more homes become available, first-time buyers will have more opportunities. In 2024, over 64,000 starters are expected to buy their first home through an NVM broker, 5,000 more than in 2023 and nearly 10,000 more than in 2022.

The new construction supply improved in 2024, with NVM brokers listing 32,000 new-build homes, the highest since 2020. However, despite the positive trend, it's still not enough.

In 2024, the average price of existing owner-occupied homes was 8.7% higher than in 2023.

The largest price increase occurred in the province of Utrecht, with a rise of 11.6%.

Price increases varied across the country, ranging from 5.2% in Zeeland to 9.9% in Drenthe.

The largest increase in housing transactions occurred in Rotterdam.

In Utrecht, The Hague, and Amsterdam, more homes were sold than in the previous year.

The number of housing transactions is on the rise.

In Q4 2024, first-time buyers purchased nearly 28,000 homes, a 27.5% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023.

Home movers bought almost 12% more homes than the previous year.

In the past four quarters, the number of first-time buyers grew faster than the number of movers.

Investor sales have helped increase the number of first-time buyers, as they often sell cheaper homes in large cities that first-time buyers are looking for.