House prices are expected to continue rising, but considerably less sharply than in previous years. Higher mortgage interest rates limit how much home seekers can borrow and mean that more buyers are reaching their financial limits. At the same time, demand for housing remains high due to the ongoing housing shortage. For both buyers and sellers, this market therefore requires a realistic strategy.

Price growth continues to slow

ABN AMRO expects average house prices to rise by approximately 3% in 2026. For 2027, an increase of around 4% is expected.

This is a clearly more moderate pace than we saw several years ago. An important reason is mortgage interest rates. Borrowing money has become more expensive, which means that the same monthly payment can now result in a lower maximum mortgage.

For homebuyers, it is therefore becoming increasingly important not only to look at the asking price of a property, but to know in advance what amount is financially achievable and responsible.

Housing shortage continues to support prices

Although higher interest rates are slowing price growth, demand for housing remains high. The Netherlands is not building enough new homes to fully meet demand.

This creates an unusual situation: on the one hand, buyers can borrow less, while on the other hand, scarcity means that attractive homes still receive a great deal of interest.

Especially for homes in good locations and popular price categories, competition between buyers can therefore still arise.

Young buyers remain active

What stands out is that buyers under the age of 25 in particular have become more active. The number of mortgage applications from this group was significantly higher at the beginning of 2026 than a year earlier.

Financial support from parents regularly plays a role in this. At the same time, households have become more cautious about taking out additional mortgages for renovations and energy-efficiency improvements.

The average mortgage amount is currently around €365,850.

How does OZQUR Makelaardij view this?

At OZQUR Makelaardij, we see that higher interest rates do not automatically mean that buyers should wait before purchasing a home. The right decision depends on the personal situation, income, monthly costs and the property being purchased.

That is why we believe it is important to clearly map out the financial possibilities in advance. We then look at the market value of the property, comparable sales and how much competition there actually is. This helps prevent buyers from being guided solely by the maximum mortgage amount or the asking price.

The market is also changing for sellers. When prices rise more slowly, setting the right asking price becomes even more important. Setting the price too high can result in a property remaining on the market for longer, while a smart pricing and sales strategy can actually generate additional interest.

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

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

→ Understand first, then search.

02 — Determining your budget & possibilities
Together with the buying agent and financial advisor, we determine your mortgage possibilities, budget and ideal search range.

→ Know what is possible before we start searching.

03 — Viewing together
You focus on how the property feels. We take a critical look at the technical condition, location, possibilities and points of attention.

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

04 — Determining the value & bidding smartly
We analyse comparable properties that have been sold, discuss the property with the selling agent and assess the expected appraisal value. We then determine the bidding strategy together and submit the offer.

→ Not just bidding, but making a well-founded offer.

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

→ We stay in control until you receive the keys.

Yucel Samanci
Buying and selling agent at OZQUR Makelaardij, specialised in purchasing strategy, negotiations and assisting Dutch, Turkish and expat clients.
(2 July 2026)