Belgian firms launch new real estate barometer for the modern housing market

In the ever-evolving landscape of the Belgian real estate market, two prominent companies, Matexi and Realo, have collaborated to introduce a groundbreaking tool: a real estate barometer tailored for the new construction market. This initiative promises to provide updated data every quarter, and its inaugural edition offers insights into the trends spanning from 2017 to 2022.

new construction
Sandy Milla

The rise of eco-friendly homes

The driving force behind this initiative stems from the ongoing energy crisis. This crisis has spurred a surge in demand for new, energy-efficient homes. Consequently, the real estate market has bifurcated into two distinct segments: one witnessing a rapid price escalation for high-energy-efficient homes and the other seeing a more modest growth for energy-intensive properties.

Yearly price increments observed

The debut edition of the barometer reveals some intriguing data. Between 2017 and 2022, the prices for new houses and apartments witnessed an average annual increase of 5.6% and 3.9%, respectively. The pandemic played a pivotal role in this price surge, especially concerning houses.

Regional disparities highlighted

When focusing on new houses, characterized by three facades, three bedrooms, and a garden, the most significant annual price hikes were observed in the provinces of Hainaut and Liège, registering a growth of +9.3%. Despite this surge, both provinces remain among the most affordable regions for new constructions in Belgium.

In contrast, apartments, typically spanning 95 square meters with two bedrooms, experienced a more uniform annual price growth across provinces. The range fluctuated between 3.1% in Brabant Wallon to 4.7% in the provinces of Antwerp and Liège.

Diverse data sources fuel the barometer

The foundation of this barometer is built on a myriad of data sources. Information was meticulously gathered from public open data and online real estate listings spanning from January 2017 to December 2022. The focus was exclusively on new constructions, ensuring that the sample accurately represents the contemporary Belgian real estate market.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Matexi and Realo to launch this real estate barometer signifies a monumental step in understanding and navigating the Belgian new construction market. With quarterly updates, investors, homeowners, and real estate enthusiasts can stay abreast of the latest trends, making informed decisions in an ever-changing landscape. As the world grapples with energy crises and environmental concerns, tools like this barometer become indispensable in promoting sustainable and informed real estate investments.