Housing market

House prices continue to rise. In 2005 the average home cost 5.4 per cent more than in 2004. That means the average house price has risen to 230,000 euros. That is the conclusion of the figures published by the Dutch Real Estate Association (NVM).

The northern housing market is bucking the national trend. In some cases there are big differences between regions in the province of Groningen itself: city of Groningen and environs: +9.8 per cent, Central Groningen: +9.5 per cent, East Groningen: +6.8 per cent and Southeast Groningen + 1.6 per cent.

Throughout the Netherlands as a whole almost 8 per cent more houses were sold last year than in 2004. In the city of Groningen the number of house sales rose in excess of 15 per cent. The number of semi-detached houses sold rose especially sharply.

The speed of sale also differs between regions. In the city of Groningen and environs a house stays on the market for an average of only 43 days. In other Groningen regions that is a good 113 days. By way of comparison: the national time on the market rose from 86 to 88 days.

How much did an average home cost in 2005? (Price in euros)
Netherlands as a whole: 230.000
City of Groningen: 176.000
Central Groningen: 152.000
East Groningen: 150.000
Southeast Groningen: 203.000
Westerkwartier: 198.000

More information:

Estate agents in Groningen (in Dutch):
www.makelaars-groningen.beginthier.nl
www.b9.nl/makelaar/groningen.htm
www.boelensjorritsma.nl
www.blauwestad.nl

Housing market, general:
www.nvm.nl (in English)
www.funda.nl

For an impression of the province: www.provinciegroningen.nl/stappen/flash.html
For city clips: www.groningen.nl (also be sure to take a look under living and working)
Feature articles on Groningen www.mooigroningen.nl

Not all of these sites are in English!