27 April 2017

2017- n° 110

In April 2017, developers' opinion on demand for new dwellings improves Quaterly business survey in the real-estate development - April 2017

In April 2017, more developers than in January estimate that demand for new dwellings is high. After stabilising between July 2016 and January 2017, the corresponding balance has increased again and has reached in April its highest level since October 2010, clearly above its long-term average.

In April 2017, the outlook for housing starts for the next three months has improved slightly. The corresponding balance has increased by two points and stands well above its long-term average. The balance on housing starts for rent has bounced back sharply. However, the one for sale has fallen back whilst remaining above normal. At the same time, more developers indicate a decrease in unsold dwelling stocks. The corresponding balance has decreased regularly since April 2016 and has gone below its long-term average.

Once again more developers than in the previous survey indicate a rise in the average price of new dwellings for sale; the corresponding balance of opinion has kept increasing since January 2015 and has stood above its long-term average since January 2017. About funding, fewer developers than in January consider that downpayment to acquire a new dwelling has increased during the last months; the corresponding balance remains well above its long-term average, though. Likewise, slightly fewer developers think that the financing capacity to purchase new housing will increase over the next quarter; the corresponding balance has decreased again but remains well above its long-term average.