The Dutch housing market is showing two different trends. While sales of newly built homes continue to decline, more existing homes are being sold. Affordability, certainty about completion and how well a property meets their housing needs are important considerations for buyers.

According to figures from CBS, the Kadaster and Eurostat, almost 5,700 newly built homes were sold in the second quarter of 2026. This is 11.2% fewer than in the same period a year earlier. It marks the fourth consecutive quarter of declining new-build sales.

Building plans alone will not get the housing market moving

New homes are needed to reduce the housing shortage, but they must also meet the needs of people looking to move. Families generally want enough bedrooms and outdoor space. Older people are more likely to need accessible homes with amenities nearby.

When the available homes do not adequately meet those needs, households stay in their current properties for longer. This also means fewer existing homes become available to other buyers. Alongside the number of building plans, property type, location and price therefore play a decisive role in helping people move through the housing market.

Existing homes give buyers greater clarity

Almost 59,000 existing homes were sold in the second quarter, an increase of 2.7% compared with the same period in 2025. Growth was nevertheless lower than in the first quarter, when the number of transactions increased by 8.7%.

When viewing an existing home, buyers can assess the rooms, finishes and neighbourhood directly. The time until the key handover is also generally easier to estimate. With newly built homes, buyers often need to allow for a longer wait and decisions about the final finishes.

Prices continue to rise, but more slowly

Existing homes were on average 4.2% more expensive in the second quarter of 2026 than a year earlier. In the first quarter, the increase was 5.2%. The average purchase price was approximately €492,000.

New-build prices also rose, with an annual increase of 4.7%, compared with 5.6% in the previous quarter. The average sale value of a newly built home was around €514,000.

Higher mortgage interest rates can limit buyers’ financial capacity. It therefore remains important to establish in advance which purchase budget and monthly payments suit their personal circumstances.

The view of OZQUR Makelaardij

At OZQUR Makelaardij, we believe new-build developments are most successful when their price, property type and location meet actual housing needs. More plans are welcome, but affordable, suitable homes are what ultimately get the market moving.

We help our clients compare existing homes and new builds carefully. We consider total costs, financing, completion times and their housing needs for the years ahead. For sellers, we provide guidance through a realistic pricing strategy and a presentation that appeals to the right target audience.

Would you like to buy or sell a home, or find out what is financially possible? At OZQUR Makelaardij, you can turn to us for buying, selling and mortgages. We guide you from your initial plans through to the key handover.

At OZQUR Makelaardij, we help you find your dream home in 5 steps

01 — Getting acquainted & identifying your housing needs
We start with you. We get to know you, build trust and clearly identify your housing wishes and most important criteria.

→ First we understand, then we search.

02 — Establishing your budget & options
Together with your buying agent and financial adviser, we establish your mortgage options, budget and ideal price range.

→ Know what is possible before we start searching.

03 — Viewing homes together
You focus on how the property feels. We critically assess its technical condition, location, potential and any points requiring attention.

→ You decide whether it feels like home. We look at the rest.

04 — Assessing value & bidding strategically
We analyse comparable properties that have sold, discuss the home with the selling agent and assess its expected valuation. We then determine the bidding strategy together and submit the offer.

→ A well-founded offer, rather than a guess.

05 — From an accepted offer to the notary
Offer accepted? We check the documents and purchase agreement, monitor all important deadlines and guide you through the entire process up to the notary.

→ We keep the process under control until you receive the keys.

Yucel Samanci
Buying and selling agent at OZQUR Makelaardij, specialising in purchase strategy, negotiations and guidance for Dutch, Turkish and expat clients.
(5 oktober 2026)