The reflection of the sustainability dimensions in the residential real estate prices

Abstract

The stability of the housing market is crucial for sustainable development, and the monitoring and assessing housing price dynamics has become a standard practice in macro-financial supervision. In accordance with the EU approach to sustainable development, the paper aims to explore the relationship between housing prices as an informative indicator of the market and sustainability dimensions in the EU countries. Through an econometrical approach, the social and environmental implications on the housing market are investigated in relation to economic development as the most important factor for supporting sustainable practices. Variables that describe housing conditions, living environments and housing affordability are used as social measures, and energy consumption, renewable energy consumption and gas emissions as indicators of the environment. The low perception of the households about the sustainable effects on the housing prices is outlined. Housing fundamentals, such as disposable income, credit conditions and housing supply (construction costs and building permits) remain the most important factors that determine the household decisions. Based on the research result, policy implications are formulated in relation to the current conditions for sustainable development.