Tight housing market changes home-buying behavior
The housing market is constantly changing, and so is the way people prepare to buy a home.
In the past, many homebuyers only started looking into their mortgage options after their offer had been accepted. Today, more and more buyers want to know what they can afford well before making an offer. The summer months are an ideal time to get this sorted. By understanding your financial options now, you’ll be ready to move quickly after the summer when your dream home comes onto the market.
Although the housing market may seem a little quieter during the summer, that doesn’t mean the competition disappears.
Many homes are sold just before or right after the summer holidays. From late August onwards, the market traditionally starts to pick up again, with more viewings and offers being made. Families looking to move often want to be settled before the new school year begins, while first-time buyers remain active despite the limited supply of homes. Expats also add to demand, particularly in the Randstad and the Eindhoven region. Summer can also work in sellers’ favour, as longer days and greener surroundings help homes look their best.
The housing market remains highly competitive
These developments reflect the current state of the housing market. The latest quarterly figures from HDN show that the mortgage market remains stable, while home affordability continues to be under pressure. More and more single buyers are using a significant amount of their own savings to improve their chances of buying a home.
The monthly figures also show that competition in the housing market remains strong. Around 47.750 mortgage applications were submitted in May, making it the second-busiest month for mortgage applications in 2026. More than six in ten applications were related to the purchase of a home, while the average property value rose to € 535.300.
“Every year, we see the housing market pick up speed again after the summer holidays,” says Joachim Nobel, owner of Nobel Hypotheken. “That’s exactly why more and more prospective buyers are choosing to explore their financial options during the summer. Knowing what you can afford in advance allows you to make decisions more quickly and submit an offer with greater confidence. In today’s housing market, being well prepared can really make all the difference.”
Know your mortgage options before you start
For many mortgage applications, the full assessment doesn’t begin until an offer on a property has been accepted. This can cost valuable time in a housing market where being able to move quickly is often essential.
By getting a clear picture of your finances before you start house hunting, you’ll know what you can afford and avoid any unwelcome surprises later in the buying process.
That’s why we offer our pre-checked mortgage, giving you the confidence to search for a home that fits your budget and make an offer without a financing contingency.
BNR has also covered this topic in an article titled: ‘New mortgage option aims to give homebuyers greater certainty.’
Use the summer to get ahead
The summer holiday period is an ideal time to get everything in order. Start gathering the documents you’ll need, find out how much you can comfortably afford to borrow, and discuss any questions you may have with a mortgage adviser.
That way, you’ll be ready to act as soon as the right home comes onto the market after the summer. It’s also worth keeping in mind that estate agents, appraisers and notaries may be away on holiday, so allow for possible delays. And if you’re open to broadening your search, consider looking at homes just outside the most popular cities as well.
Being well prepared not only gives you greater peace of mind, but also improves your chances of securing a home.
Also read: More certainty for homebuyers, or listen to the podcast ‘Pre-checked mortgage: certainty before you make an offer’.
