Mortgage interest rates in Italy decreased substantially between 2013 and 2021 before rising in the following years. The first quarter of 2023 saw the highest interest rate since 2013, amounting to four percent – more than double the rate in the same period in the previous year.
A slowly recovering market
Despite not reaching the pre-crisis levels, an increase in the number of transactions in the residential real estate market as well as the volume of mortgages stipulated for house purchase indicate a positive trend for the sector in Italy. Homeownership in Italy reached 73.7 percent in 2021, one of the highest rates in Western Europe. Low interest rates, especially when compared to other European countries, and decreasing house prices led to a renewed interest in the real estate market in Italy.
Milan, an attractive destination for investments
In recent years, more than in the past, thanks to its role as a capital of business and finance as well as an innovation hub, Milan was able to attract human capital and investments, both domestic and foreign. This ability to grow and innovate was also reflected in the real estate market, which was the most dynamic in the country. Transactions in residential real estate in Milan increased steadily since 2012, except for 2020, and so did prices: some areas of the city are among the most expensive in the country to buy a property.
