Back in business: the Flemish real estate market is once again approaching record levels

Is the real estate market hot again? Oh yes, and how! The latest Real Estate Barometer from the Federation of Notaries (Fednot) shows that the Belgian real estate market got off to a strong start in the first quarter of 2025. More sales, rising prices (for homes, at least), and young buyers who aren’t deterred by rising interest rates or uncertainty. What exactly is going on here? We’ve laid out the facts for you. 

A flying start to the year

The first three months of 2025 paint a striking picture: nearly 16% more real estate sales than in the same period last year. In Flanders, the surge was even more spectacular: +19%! January was particularly busy. What’s behind this? The reduction in registration tax, combined with renewed confidence among both buyers and sellers. Hello momentum!

And that confidence is also reflected in the figures: notarial deeds were flying off the shelves. Every province in Flanders saw strong growth. East Flanders led the way with a 22.9% increase. Flemish Brabant followed with a 21.2% increase. Even the quieter provinces, such as Limburg, saw solid growth of 15.8%.

Young, determined, and looking for a place to call home

The Flemish real estate market also became noticeably younger this quarter. An increasing number of people in their twenties are taking their first steps toward homeownership. For apartments, their share rose from 28% to 31%. For single-family homes, there was a small but clear increase: from 28% to 29%.

In the province of Antwerp, young apartment buyers really took the lead. In the 18–25 age group, they accounted for 11% of purchases, and among 26–30-year-olds, as much as 27%. And yes, kudos to East Flanders: there, young homebuyers between the ages of 26 and 30 accounted for no less than 24% of sales.

Age does indeed play a role

On average, homebuyers in Flanders were 38 years old . For apartments, the average age is slightly higher: 43 years. The difference between regions is striking: for example, the average age of apartment buyers in West Flanders is 48 years—the coast remains popular among older buyers. In Antwerp, however, that figure is significantly lower: 40 years on average.

Those age ranges reveal more than you might think. They indicate when people are ready to take the plunge, but also how feasible it still is at their stage of life. And whether young or not, the urge to buy is still there.

What about the prices?

Let’s talk money. In the first quarter, the average price of a single-family home in Belgium was 355,371 euros, a rise of no less than 7.8% compared to the annual average for 2024. Flanders saw a more moderate increase of 3.3%, bringing the average price to just under 380,000 euros.

Apartment prices remained remarkably stable: nationally, there was hardly any change. In Flanders, there was even a slight decline of -1.2%. Only in West Flanders was there a notable correction: -5.6%. 

Time to get moving?

The numbers speak for themselves: the real estate market is booming again. The barrier to entry for young buyers seems lower, transactions are on the rise, and despite rising interest rates, many people are still seizing the opportunity.

Are you still on the fence? Are you wondering, “Is this the right time?” The answer is… maybe yes. Because timing is everything in real estate. Whether you’re looking for your first apartment, your dream home, or just curious about how to approach it smartly—stay alert, do your research, and talk to an expert.

Interested in buying or selling a home? Get all the information you need and find out how the new regulations can work to your advantage. 

Source: Federation of Notaries (Fednot), Real Estate Barometer, 1st Quarter 2025.Read the full report here.