The Dutch housing market shows no apparent effects from the coronavirus crisis, with prices up 8.8% on last year in the second quarter of 2020.

The NVM estate agents’ association said that the most recent average house price was €335,000, adding that more than half of houses have sold for more than the asking price.

However, 4% fewer houses changed hands in the second quarter of the year than in the same period in 2019.

During this period – which was during the lockdown – estate agents conducted viewings with a maximum of two visitors, and disinfected items such as doorknobs between viewings, while lenders and notaries started accepting digital signatures.

‘Now that there is less interest from investors and expats, first time buyers and people moving up the chain have more chances,’ said Onno Hoes, chairman of the NVM. ‘We see that consumers have confidence in the resilience of the Dutch economy; they take the chance to get their own home and think long term rather than short term.’