Update 10 July 2026 — Halfway through 2026, the Dutch housing market shows a striking picture: more homes are for sale than ever before, the number of sales is climbing sharply, yet price growth is clearly cooling. In this update we line up the latest figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Land Registry (Kadaster), the NVM and the major banks — and explain what it means if you want to buy a home right now.
Quick summary
• Record supply: in the second quarter of 2026 almost 57,000 existing homes were put up for sale, the highest number since the NVM began measuring in 1995.
• More sales: NVM agents sold 45,200 existing homes, almost 30 percent more than in the first quarter.
• Cooling prices: existing homes were on average 4.4 percent more expensive in May 2026 than a year earlier — at the end of 2024 that figure was still almost 12 percent.
• Stable rates: mortgage rates hover around 3.5 to 4 percent and are expected to stay relatively calm all year.
Record supply: finally more choice
For the first time in years buyers have something to choose from again. In the second quarter of 2026 sellers listed almost 57,000 existing homes through NVM agents — the highest number since measurements began in 1995 and almost 9 percent more than a year earlier.
The number of homes actually for sale at any given moment also rose, to over 20,100, the highest level since 2015. More supply usually means less frenzy in the bidding and a little more room to negotiate.
Even so, it remains tight for those starting out: there is still too little suitable and affordable supply for first-time buyers and seniors. More choice is therefore mostly relative.
More sales, but price growth is levelling off
The extra homes are selling fast. In the second quarter NVM agents sold 45,200 existing homes, almost 30 percent more than in the first quarter and 6.6 percent more than a year earlier. The average sale price came to €506,000.
At the same time, price growth is slowing. According to CBS and the Land Registry, existing homes were on average 4.4 percent more expensive in May 2026 than a year earlier. For comparison: at the end of 2024 the annual figure still ran up to almost 12 percent. The market is still rising, but at a much calmer pace.
Want to know what such a price means for your monthly payments? Calculate it quickly with our mortgage calculator.
What are mortgage rates doing?
Mortgage rates have been remarkably stable in 2026. In early July the lowest rate with NHG and energy label A was around 3.5 percent for short fixed-rate periods, and green mortgages were available from roughly 3 percent. For a popular ten-year fixed term with NHG, the rate hovers around 4 percent.
On 17 June 2026 the European Central Bank raised its deposit rate to 2.25 percent — the first increase since mid-2025. Even so, economists at Rabobank and ABN AMRO, among others, expect mortgage rates to stay relatively calm for the rest of the year, without big jumps.
A small difference in rate adds up considerably over thirty years. So always compare several lenders with our interest rate comparison tool.
Outlook: the end of the price rally?
The major banks largely agree that the exuberant price increases are behind us. Rabobank even speaks of 'the end of the price rally' and expects an average price rise of about 2.8 percent for all of 2026 — mainly a spillover effect from 2025. For transactions the bank counts on around 233,000 sales for the year.
Regionally there are big differences. In and around Amsterdam the lowest growth is expected, around 1 percent, while the increase is higher in other parts of the country. Where you look, therefore, matters.
What does this mean for first-time buyers?
The good news: more supply and a cooling market give you a little more breathing room and choice than a year ago. The less good news: prices are not falling (yet) and affordable supply remains scarce.
Three concrete steps if you are orienting yourself now:
• Determine your room to manoeuvre first. Calculate your maximum mortgage and monthly payments based on the current 2026 standards.
• Factor in the one-off costs. On top of the purchase price you pay buyer costs; our buyers costs calculator shows how much that is.
• Torn between buying and renting? Compare the options side by side with the rent vs buy calculator.
Please note: this article is a snapshot based on public figures and is not financial advice. For a tailored calculation, consult a certified mortgage advisor.
Sources
• CBS – Prices of existing owner-occupied homes: cbs.nl
• NVM – Housing market figures Q2 2026: nvm.nl
• Rabobank – Quarterly Housing Market Report: rabobank.nl
• De Nederlandsche Bank – Bank mortgage rates: dnb.nl
