Finance
Europe puts faith in bricks & mortar
Confidence in European house prices continues to rise, but higher costs are putting a strain on consumers with many struggling to pay the rent or mortgage each month.
The ING International Survey on Homes and Mortgages 2015, which surveyed 15,000 people about their attitudes on the housing market, reveals that overall people across Europe remain bullish on house prices. The majority of consumers (56%) believe that prices will rise over the next 12 months, with confidence up by three percentage points from last year.
House price confidence peaks in Turkey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and UK
The ING House Price Optimism Index – now in its fourth year – found that optimism peaks in Turkey (82%), Luxembourg (76%), the Netherlands (70%) and the United Kingdom (70%). Sentiment rose fastest in Spain, having had extremely low levels of confidence in 2014 (35%), rising 14 percentage points to 49% this year and 38 percentage points since 2012. While in the Netherlands and Turkey ‘belief in bricks’ soared by 13 and 10 percentage points respectively.
Reliance on home for pension
More than ever, the majority believe that from a financial point of view it is better to own a property than rent (79%) – an increase of four percentage points on last year – and indication that consumers across Europe view property as an important asset.
This is especially the case in the UK where consumers are placing their faith in property for their retirement, with over a fifth (21%) viewing their home as part of their pension – significantly higher than the European average (15%).
However, 61 per cent of people across Europe feel that current house prices where they live are too expensive, with many unable to get a foot on the ladder.
25% of European consumers find it increasingly difficult to pay rent or mortgage
It seems greater confidence is coupled with greater unaffordability, as one in four (25%) renters and homeowners admit to finding it increasingly difficult to pay their mortgage or rent each month. The report found tenants renting in Italy and Spain and homeowners in Romania and Turkey are struggling the most with payments.
The Index found that over the last four years, when consumers have expected house prices to rise over the next 12 months, prices have then tended to increase.
ING Senior Economist, Ian Bright commented
“House prices are on the up in many European countries and consumers remain bullish that this will continue. As a result, we’re seeing more people viewing property as an important financial asset – including countries where renting is the norm – but there is also frustration with property being increasing unaffordable.“
| ING Bank House Price Optimism Index | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Actual house price increaseLatest available data* | Consumers who think that local house prices will rise over the next 12 months | Perception change 2014-15 | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||
| United Kingdom | 8% | 70% | 72% | 61% | -2 |
| Turkey | 16.7%*** | 82% | 72% | 77% | +10 |
| Luxembourg | – | 76% | 72% | 70% | +4 |
| Austria | 3.6% | 69% | 71% | 75% | -4 |
| Belgium | 0.6% | 55% | 60% | 57% | -5 |
| Germany | 2.9% | 61% | 60% | 57% | +1 |
| Netherlands | 2.5% | 70% | 57% | 25% | +13 |
| Romania | 5.3%** | 53% | 46% | 31% | +7 |
| Poland | – | 43% | 44% | 39% | -1 |
| France | -2.3% | 41% | 42% | 42% | -1 |
| Spain | 1.5% | 49% | 35% | 17% | +14 |
| Italy | -3.4% | 33% | 30% | 29% | +3 |
| EUROPE AVE. | 1% | 56% | 53% | 47% | – |
*Source – European Central Bank/Eurostat. All for year from Q1 2014 to Q1 2015, other than Belgium (Q1 2014 – Q4 2014)
** Source – European Central Bank/Eurostat. For year 2013 – 2014
*** Source – Bloomberg data – Jan 2014 – Jan 2015
