Global House Prices Rising at Fastest Pace in 15 Years

A boom in housing demand during the global pandemic has driven price growth to a 15-year high, according to a report released Wednesday.

The Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index, measuring average home prices across 56 countries and territories, rose 7.3% year over year in the first quarter, the fastest pace since the fourth quarter of 2006.

“A contributory factor to rising house prices globally has been the mass reassessment of housing needs in the wake of the pandemic, whether that’s been buyers seeking home offices, gardens or just to be closer to wide-open spaces,” Kate Everett-Allen, head of international residential research at Knight Frank, told Mansion Global.

“The demands on the home have increased in lockdowns and homeowners have reflected on where and how they want to live, prompting many to relocate or purchase a second home,” she added.

With a 32% year-over-year price increase, Turkey led the rankings for the fifth consecutive quarter. However, stripping out inflation, real house prices rose around 16% annually in the country.

“Turkey’s somewhat of a red herring,” Ms. Everett-Allen said. “Sales declined in 2020 but prices increased due to inflation and the weak Turkish lira. Construction costs are also rising due to tight supply chains.”

A total of 13 countries, primarily developed nations, registered double-digit annual price growth. Those include New Zealand (22%), the U.S. (13%), Sweden (13%), Austria (12%), Canada (10.8%) and the U.K. (10.2%).

“Homeowners in these developed nations have also seen some of the largest rates of accrued savings. For some, this may mean they now have a deposit for their first home, or enable existing homeowners to upgrade,” Ms. Everett-Allen said.

For example, the Bank of England estimates that U.K. householders have amassed some £250 billion (US$354 billion) in savings since the start of the pandemic, she said.

Wary of potential housing bubbles, some countries have adopted market-cooling measures to curb the rapid price growth since January. China, New Zealand and Ireland introduced higher stamp duties for investment properties.

China is also considering a national vacancy tax or property tax, as is Canada.

Home prices in China, excluding Hong Kong, rose 4.3% year over year in the first quarter, while Ireland home prices increased 3.7% during the same period.

However, not all countries experienced a housing boom in the first quarter. Four countries saw their housing prices drop from a year ago, including Malaysia (-0.9%), Morocco (-1.2%), India (-1.6%) and Spain (-1.8%), according to the report.

Is this Whitsunday’s best home?

Hayman Island may have been ravaged by Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which saw the island, one of the smallest of the major Whitsunday islands, all but shut down, but the 390-hectare paradise has made an extraordinary comeback.

The InterContinental brand took over the island’s only resort, which was completely devastated by the Category 4 cyclone. The same year the cyclone hit, The Residence at Hayman was built, one of just two private residences on the island.

Constructed by Hutchinson Builders, a Tier 1 builder better known for delivering some of South East Queensland’s finest multi-residential developments, the lavish home is made from reinforced concrete with a blend of glass and timber battening.

It was designed by the late, internationally renowned architect Kerry Hill, widely regarded as a key figure in refining tropical modernist architecture. Hill was an island specialist, having designed several major resorts in Bali.

The Residence at Hayman spans three levels and offers over 1,400 sqm of living space, including around 580 sqm of internal living areas. The remainder comprises breezeways, terraces, and balconies designed to embrace the island’s subtropical climate.

Entry to the home is via the upper level, as the property tiers down the site with direct access to the beach. The top and lower levels accommodate most of the home’s eight bedrooms, as well as a study and a double garage with buggy parking, the preferred mode of transport throughout the Whitsundays.

The middle level is home to the main kitchen, living, and dining areas, complete with a full butler’s pantry. It opens to a large, L-shaped terrace featuring an outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining and lounge zones, and a sundeck. The terrace flows to the basalt-clad infinity swimming pool, deck, and cabana with integrated seating, as well as a pool house.

Owners or guests of The Residence also have access to the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort facilities, including 24-hour room service, butler assistance, private chefs, and the resort’s wellness centre.

Whitefox agents Cheyne Fox and Nic Whitehead are marketing The Residence as “a rare and extraordinary find.”

“This is more than just a home, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of paradise, a legacy to share with family and friends for generations to come,” Fox said.

The only other private residence on Hayman Island, Hayman House, is also on the market. Commissioned by Terry Peabody, former billionaire and Transpacific Industries founder, Hayman House was first listed last year with hopes of $27 million, later reportedly reduced to $20 million in early 2025.

Designed by Kerry Hill and also built by Hutchies (in 2010), Hayman House shares a similar design ethos to The Residence, albeit on a smaller scale. Its 18-week construction endured three cyclones, with all site access via the beach, which had to be reinforced to prevent heavy vehicles from sinking into the sand.

Global House Prices Rising at Fastest Pace in 15 Years

13 countries and territories registered double-digit growth in the first quarter.

Designed by the late Kerry Hill and built by Hutchinson Builders, The Residence at Hayman Island blends tropical modernism with absolute waterfront luxury.