July Jump: Record mortgage activity while the Dutch hit the beach
Vacation season didn’t slow the market. In July, the Dutch mortgage platform HDN processed 53,350 applications — 19 percent more than July 2024 and only 41 short of March’s all-time record. At the same time, the average purchase price climbed to a new peak of €517,871 (+4 percent).
Renovators dethroned by “move-uppers.” For the first time in three years, homeowners moving to a notably more expensive property—often thirty- and forty-somethings with solid equity—filed more applications than people financing renovations. Their activity was 20 percent higher than a year ago, driven by stronger salaries, hefty gains on current homes and a wider choice of listings.
Prices keep stretching the rubber band. Kadaster data show existing-home prices were 9.3 percent above last year in June, while new-build prices remain erratic: July finally eked out a small uptick after months of decline, according to HDN.
Steady rates keep the fire burning. Ten-year fixed mortgages with an NHG (the Dutch government-backed National Mortgage Guarantee) now hover around 3.6 percent, with the sharpest offers dipping below 3.5 percent. Pair that with average wage growth topping 6 percent, and many movers suddenly qualify for a bigger loan.
Thinking of upgrading—or buying your first Dutch home? Even with sunscreen on your hands, timing matters as much as budget in a record-hot market. Get your borrowing power calculated now and seize the moment before the next wave of buyers rolls in.
