House prices up 8.21% y-o-y in Q2 2019

Germany’s housing market remains robust. The average price of apartments rose by 8.21% during the year to Q2 2019, a sharp improvement from last year’s 1.74% growth. During the latest quarter house prices rose 1.44% q-o-q.

Strong demand, low construction activity

Demand remains strong, buoyed by low interest rates, urbanization, and healthy household finances. Recently, the migration crisis and strong economic growth have added to the already strong demand in the country.

Despite this, construction activity remains weak. In the first half of 2019, dwelling permits fell by 2.3% to 164,641 units compared to the same period last year, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). 

Rents, rental yields: moderate yields at 2.9% to 3.7%

Berlin apartment costs are around €4,991per sq. m.

Lithuania: typical city centre apartment buying price, monthly rent (120 sq. m)
  Buying price Rate per month Yield
Berlin €  598,920 € 1,493 2.99%
Frankfurt €  544,680 €  1,678 3.70%
Munich €  942,360 € 2,243 2.86%

Recent news: Germany’s economy registered lacklustre growth in 2018, with real GDP growth of just 1.4%, down from 2.2% in 2017 and the weakest expansion in five years, according to Destatis. Europe’s largest economy continues to struggle this year, with GDP rising by a meagre 0.7% in Q1 and 0.4% in Q2, amidst falling exports. The government recently cuts its growth projection this year to 0.5%, half the pace previously forecast.