Still high price momentum

According to BulwienGesa (126 towns and cities) house prices
increased by an average of around 6 1⁄2% and apartment prices by over 10%. As
in the preceding years, metropolitan areas and major cities recorded the
steepest price hikes, though prices were also on a strong uptrend in many
towns, and none of the 126 towns and cities under survey reported a decline.

The price boom is also reflected in rent momentum. Marking the steepest
increase since 1993, rents for lets and relets in 2017 were up by 6% and 7%,
respectively. Moreover, with rent growth picking up rather than declining over
the cycle since 2009, the rent brake seems to have a boomerang effect.