Spatial, Transport and Environmental Economics: Real Estate and Housing Economics Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Overview

Dutch households spend about 30% of their income on housing — a figure that’s on the rise in many countries worldwide. The ongoing housing affordability crisis is a central concern in real estate and housing economics, as it highlights the growing disconnect between housing costs and household incomes.

This raises urgent questions about housing supply, housing policies such as rent control, public housing, and mortgage interest deductibility, and the consequences of unequal access to housing. The energy transition, the increased popularity of working from home and the rise of e-commerce also have important consequences for real estate markets. 

Real estate values, including commercial rents, vary widely across time and locations. For instance, house prices in Amsterdam are many times higher than in more peripheral regions. Even within cities, office rents in central locations can be several times higher than in outlying suburbs.  

This master's specialisation addresses housing and real estate challenges from an economic and policy perspective but also covers the finance-side of real estate and housing, including investment analysis, mortgage markets, and risk assessment. You will investigate how prices are determined, how real estate portfolios are managed, and how land use regulations, infrastructure, and government policy influence property values. You will also explore the deep connection between real estate and location.