Housing market flattening out: ING

Housing prices are expected to remain constant, or increase only slightly, in a substantial part of the Netherlands. The conclusion was reached by economists at the ING Group in their investigation into the Dutch housing market, the researchers told broadcaster NOS. Only in the areas with currently increasing prices, such as Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht are the prices expected to rise in the coming ten years. In the areas with falling or marginally increasing prices, the trend may persist over the course of ten years, they report. The pricing trend may result in houses losing their attractiveness as an investment option, and only retaining their residential value. The economists at ING are warning the owners that waiting several years to sell at a higher margin may not be an option. Economists at ING looked into major relevant aspects of housing market pricing, such as income growth, expected rental prices, and construction plans for different regions of the country.