You hear it a lot: Amsterdammers are buying all the homes in Utrecht. Expats are buying up all the homes in Utrecht and paying top price. Only parents of students stand a chance now, just like investors. But is that actually true? Do most home buyers in Utrecht really come from Amsterdam, or are they expats or investors?
Contents
- Buyers from Amsterdam
- What does the make-up of Utrecht's population look like now?
- What can you do to sell your home well if it doesn't fit the perfect picture?
- How can you still buy your dream home for a realistic amount?
Buyers from Amsterdam
From 2014 to 2019, the number of buyers from Amsterdam did increase. In 2014, 3% of all home buyers in Utrecht were still living in Amsterdam; in 2018 this was 8%, and so far in 2019, 10% of home buyers come from Amsterdam. Because of the high demand for homes in Amsterdam and ever-rising house prices, more and more people are swapping the capital for another city. For comparison: in Haarlem, 15% of home buyers came from Amsterdam in 2014. In 2018 this was 25%. According to Funda, the number of house hunters in Amsterdam is currently falling the fastest. But Utrecht is also being viewed less on Funda. Amsterdam often sets the trend.
Source: NVM
What does the make-up of Utrecht's population look like now?
At the moment we have an enormously large group of single people. Currently, approx. 56% of people in Utrecht are single. This means demand for single-person homes will increase. Couples and families are fairly evenly matched. At the moment, 21% are cohabiting couples and 23% are families. Cohabiting couples are often looking for a home where they can start a family. As a result, you see a number of homes selling very quickly. The price per square metre for these homes is exceptionally high. But you also see that homes that aren't immediately suitable for the large group of house hunters stay on the market longer.
Source: NVM
What can you do to sell your home well if it doesn't fit the perfect picture?
Homes that are sleek and finished sell well. I often hear: we're not going to put in a new bathroom or kitchen. That's for the next buyers. They'll only put something else in anyway. But it can actually be extremely smart to do it. At the moment buyers find it hard to judge whether they can include something in their financing, who should then do the work and whether it fits the time frame they have in mind. On top of that, young buyers in particular find it hard to see past someone else's taste. So it can definitely pay to increase your mortgage yourself or use your savings to sell your home as well as possible. Choose neutral colours and practical layouts. Adjusting the furnishings can also work wonders. Make sure your home is suitable for the large group of families, couples or singles. The broader the target group, the greater the chance there's a good buyer among them. Curious what you can do to your home to sell it even better in this market? I'd be happy to come and explain.
How can you still buy your dream home for a realistic amount?
Look at houses that may not entirely fit the perfect picture. Keep an eye on how neighbourhoods are developing. Not necessarily a home in Wittevrouwen, Vogelenbuurt, Tuindorp or Oudwijk. But a home in the Bloemenbuurt, Transwijk or Zuilen. Look at a home's possibilities. Is there an option to add an extra storey or an extension, making the home more suitable for every stage of life?
I'd be happy to help you buy a home with potential. But I'm also happy to help with a plan to sell a home as well as possible.
