There is no question of house prices in the Netherlands falling or a collapsing housing market, according to research by housing website Woningmarktcijfers.

There have been a number of conflicting reports on the state of the Dutch market in recent weeks.
The average cost of a house was €243,500 in the first six months of this year, an increase of 3.7% over the 2007 first-half, website director Leo van de Pas said in a press release. The figures are based on a analysis of all housing transactions recorded by the land registry office (kadaster).
Bloemendaal, close to the sea, is the most expensive location, with the average home costing €820,000 – up 26% on 2007. Bottom of the list is Reiderland in Groningen, where the average house is sold for under €120,000.
Nevertheless, the number of house sales fell 7% to 89,000 in the first six months of the year, the press release said.