The Finnish housing market has experienced a significant stagnation over the years, leading to prolonged selling times and chronic price drops. According to Statistics Finland, while there has been a slight uptick in the sales of older apartments by 14 percent in December compared to the previous year, regional disparities remain significant and indicate that the overall market is still sluggish. With the slowdown in housing sales, construction activities are also hampered, which is a critical indicator of economic health, as renewed construction is typically seen as a sign of improving economic times.

A proposed solution to invigorate the housing market is the temporary removal of the transfer tax, which has generated discussion among political figures. Rkp’s parliamentary group chairman, Otto Andersson, has publicly labeled the transfer tax as both harmful and imprudent, suggesting its temporary suspension could help stimulate housing sales and overall economic growth. However, the proposal has largely been dismissed or silenced by the government coalition partners, showcasing a lack of consensus on the issue.

The editorial emphasizes the need for bold measures to address the ongoing stagnation in the housing market. Given the connection between housing and broader economic dynamics, the government's reluctance to consider tax cuts may hinder both the real estate market's recovery and the economic revival that it could foster. As discussions continue, it remains clear that decisive action is necessary to break the current deadlock in housing transactions and construction activities.