The image of a villa show is a glorious early summer day.

But despite the fact that there is a thick layer of snow over large parts of Sweden, unusually many are looking for houses.

- The housing market is hot right now.

We have a rampant residential market where there is a low supply of houses and very many who want to buy, says Marie-Louise Giertz, broker at Fastighetsbyrån in Täby north of Stockholm.

Prices have risen sharply in the past year and the rate of price increase was greatest at the end of last year.

According to Swedish broker statistics, the increase between October and December, compared with a year earlier, was the highest in at least ten years.

Highest price increase in Jämtland

In the past year, house prices have increased by an average of 13 percent.

Prices have risen the most in Jämtland County, where they have increased by as much as 21 percent in the past year.

- It shows.

A couple of years ago, you could buy almost what you wanted for four million.

As soon as you want something a little more today, it's five, six, seven million.

It does not feel like a house was sold for seven million in Östersund a few years ago, says Hanna Bysell, who is on a house hunt in the Östersund area.

The Corona pandemic has affected both supply and demand for houses.

Since few want to move out of their houses, the supply on the market is unusually small.

This at the same time as many are looking for larger accommodation.

More rooms, gardens and workrooms are things that many have prioritized more than before, when the pandemic has meant more homework.

Abandonment among home buyers

In the past year, villas have increased more in price than condominiums and larger homes have increased more in price than less.

In addition, a shortage of newly produced villas and historically low interest rates have pushed up prices.

And the fact that prices have risen so fast in the past year is something that shocks many house speculators.

- You are surprised, a little afraid that you will not have time and a little resigned sometimes as well, because house prices have jumped away so much, says broker Marie-Louise Giertz.