According to Agenzia delle Entrate data, 298,144 residential transactions were completed in the first half of 2019, +6.1% compared to the same period of 2018.

In particular, 138,525 transactions were recorded in the first quarter and 159,619 in the second quarter, respectively +8.8% and +3.9% compared to the corresponding quarters in 2018.

Based on surveys by the agencies of the Gabetti, Professionecasa and Grimaldi networks, a change in prices of around +0.2% was recorded in H1 2019 compared to H2 2018. This figure, which follows that of 2018, during which prices stabilised (-0.3%), shows an inversion in trend compared to prior years, when there was one negative change after another, although declining.

In terms of sales times the average in the large cities considered remained stable compared to the prior half-year, at 4.5 months for H1 2019.

Also with regard to average discounts on the initial asking price and the price at which negotiations are concluded, the H1 2019 average remained at around 12% in the large cities.

Disbursements of home purchase loans to households in Q1 2019 amounted to €11.2 billion in Q1 2019, +1.2% compared to the same quarter of 2018 (Bank of Italy data).