Some 15% more houses will change hands in 2015 than in 2014, according to economists at ABN Amro. They had earlier forecast 10% growth in house sales over the year.

The increase is due to low mortgage rates and the economic recovery, the bank said.

‘At one time, banks were the only sources of mortgages but barely a week goes by without another sort of mortgage provider joining the market,’ economist Philip Bokeloh told broadcaster Nos.

Bokeloh also said it is being made easier for people with flexible contracts and freelancers to buy a home. For example, some mortgage providers will give mortgages to people on flexible contracts if they can provide information about their previous three years of income.