New figures from the Dutch real estate agents association NVM show that the coronavirus crisis has yet to have an impact on the housing market, with the number of houses changing hands actually rising in the past four weeks.

Last week, for example, 3,700 homes changed hands, the highest weekly total this year. In the first month of the crisis, 12% of the homes being sold cost more than €500,000, but that percentage has now risen to 17%, the NVM said.

‘This data relates to the current situation… but on the basis of these facts, we would definitely distance ourselves from negative forecasts,’ chairman Onno Hoes said. ‘When buying or selling a home, people think long-term.’

Rents

The NVM figures also show the number of rental properties on offer outside the social housing sector has gone up by 20% year on year.

While the average price for a non-rent controlled property is €1,230, in Amsterdam the figure is €1,700. However, this is down from the €1,800 peak registered a year ago.

In Amsterdam, supply has increased because landlords who usually rent out property via holiday agencies like Airbnb are now turning to long-term rentals as tourism dries up.