Homebuyers get more choice, but market remains tight
The supply of existing homes for sale is growing, while nearly two-thirds of properties are still selling above asking price.
Homebuyers had more properties to choose from in the third quarter of 2026. Yet the market remains tight: nearly two-thirds of properties sold for more than the asking price, according to new figures from estate agents’ association NVM.
At NVM estate agents, around 39,000 existing homes were for sale at the end of the third quarter. That was 24 per cent more than a year earlier and 6 per cent more than in the second quarter. The supply of terraced and end-of-terrace homes grew particularly strongly, by 30 per cent year on year.
The increase gives buyers slightly more time to compare properties and arrange a second viewing. The average time to sell rose from 29 to 31 days. According to NVM, the share of homes sold above the asking price fell from 71 per cent to nearly two-thirds.
The average sale price of an existing home was approximately 503,000 euros. That was 1.8 per cent higher than a year earlier. The rise in prices therefore eased further. The average price was lower than in the second quarter, but NVM warns that quarterly differences are partly caused by the composition of the homes sold.
The figures do not mean that the housing shortage is over. The NVM tightness indicator stood at 2.8; according to the association, the market is still considered tight below 5. Terraced homes remained the most difficult type of property for buyers to find. Regional differences are also considerable: prices rose sharply in some areas, while falling slightly elsewhere.
The larger supply is partly due to former rental properties entering the sales market. This helps buyers, but simultaneously reduces the supply available to tenants. Energy-efficient homes and properties in good repair also continue to sell faster than homes that need work or have an unfavourable energy rating.
The new-build market presents a mixed picture. Around 21,500 new-build homes were for sale, 17 per cent more than a year earlier, but NVM estate agents sold around 6,000 during the quarter. That was fewer than a year earlier. High construction costs, long building times and bridging costs make new-build homes difficult for many households to afford.
The figures therefore point to slightly more room for negotiation, not broad affordability. First-time buyers remain dependent on their income, interest rates and available funds of their own. Moreover, the NVM survey is based on transactions and supply through NVM estate agents and does not describe the housing market in its entirety.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The supply of existing homes for sale through NVM estate agents has risen by 24 per cent in a year.
- The average price increase has eased, but according to NVM the market remains tight.
- Former rental properties increase the supply of homes for sale while simultaneously reducing the supply of rental homes.
Left
Arguments More supply only genuinely helps if it is affordable and suitable for first-time buyers, tenants and people on low or middle incomes. The sale of former rental properties can expand the sales market, but increases pressure on tenants. The emphasis should therefore be on public oversight, affordable new-build homes and protection of the rental housing stock.
Values Housing rights, affordability and social protection.
Consequences More public investment and regulation could improve accessibility, but would require higher government spending and could limit investors’ returns.
Centre
Arguments The figures mainly show that the market is functioning somewhat better, not that the shortage has been resolved. A combination of more building sites, shorter procedures, better movement through the housing market and targeted support could gradually bring supply and demand closer together.
Values Practical feasibility, stability and balance between renting and buying.
Consequences A broad approach takes time, while rapid subsidies or tax measures could push prices up again.
Right
Arguments More supply and less overbidding are signs that the market itself is gaining slightly more room again. Barriers to building, selling and moving should be reduced; strict price regulation or additional taxes could instead discourage investment.
Values Ownership, market forces and lighter regulation.
Consequences More scope for building and investment could increase supply, but without social safeguards the growth could mainly benefit more expensive segments.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The figures on supply, prices, time to sell and overbidding correspond to the NVM publication. The limitation of the dataset to NVM estate agents has been explicitly added.
- confirmed Around 39,000 existing homes were for sale through NVM estate agents. — NVM reports 39,000 homes at the end of the third quarter of 2026. source
- confirmed Supply was 24 per cent higher than a year earlier. — NVM cites this year-on-year increase. source
- confirmed Nearly two-thirds of properties sold above the asking price. — NVM reports that nearly two-thirds were sold above the asking price. source
- confirmed The average sale price was approximately 503,000 euros and rose by 1.8 per cent year on year. — Both figures appear in NVM’s quarterly publication. source
- confirmed The larger supply is partly due to former rental properties being sold. — NVM cites the sale of rental properties as a factor in the growth of supply. source
Editor's note
The figures come mainly from NVM data. The association measures through its own network of estate agents; the text therefore makes no claim about every housing transaction in the Netherlands.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „woningmarkt koopwoningen”
- RTL Nieuws — „woningmarkt koopwoningen”
- NOS — „woningmarkt koopwoningen”