Non-urban areas see biggest price jump

Prices of existing homes rose 2.5 per cent from second to third quarter 1998. Prices rose the most outside Norway's largest cities, by around three per cent.

In Oslo and adjacent Bærum Municipality, prices increased by 2.1 per cent during the same period, while prices rose 0.1 per cent in Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim, the largest cities outside Oslo.

Single-family home prices rose the most from second to third quarter 1998, by three per cent. The corresponding increase for small houses, i.e. row houses and semi-detached houses, was two per cent. Prices of apartments rose 1.8 per cent.

The overall index for existing dwellings rose 11 per cent from third quarter 1997 to third quarter 1998. Prices increased the most in Oslo and Bærum during this period, by 18 per cent. Prices in Akershus County excluding Bærum rose 16 per cent, while prices increased by 11 per cent in the major cities of Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim.

Expensive apartments in Oslo, Akershus and Troms

Average square metre prices for housing sold on the open market in third quarter 1998 were highest in Oslo for all types of housing. The average price per square metre was NOK 12,601 for single-family homes, NOK12,653 for small houses and NOK 14,821 for apartments. In addition, Akershus and Troms Counties had an average square metre price of more than NOK 12,000 for apartments.

New Statistics

Price index for existing dwellings, 3rd quarter 1998.

The statistics are published quarterly in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics and in the monthly publication Bygg Info. For more information contact: Roger.Jensen@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 55 45, or Inger.Jorun.Monsrud@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 54 26.