Housing market

Mortgage applications fell sharply in April as rising interest rates made buyers more cautious. First‑time buyers and movers applied for fewer loans, while demand shifted towards higher‑priced homes. Analysts say the cooling market may help stabilise house prices after years of rapid increases.

Owner‑occupied homes in the Netherlands were 5 percent more expensive in March than a year earlier, marking a further easing of price growth. Average prices now exceed €494,600, while sales volumes rose sharply compared to last year.

Dutch house prices slipped back below the half‑million‑euro mark in early 2026, while the number of homes on the market increased significantly. New figures from the national real estate association (NVM) show cooling demand, regional contrasts, and a housing market that is slowly regaining balance.

The Dutch mortgage market is no longer driven only by price growth and urgency. It is increasingly shaped by who already owns a home, who can rely on family help, and who can handle higher monthly costs