Homes for sale in De Fryske Marren
View the current supply of homes for sale in De Fryske Marren, including neighbourhood scores and resident reviews for each property.
Buying a home in De Fryske Marren: the housing market in 2026
De Fryske Marren is the municipality in southwest Friesland where water, space and village cosiness come together. Think of the Frisian Lakes, the Slotermeer, the Fluessen and dozens of small and larger villages such as Joure, Lemmer, Balk and Sint Nicolaasga. With over 51,900 residents, it is a municipality you choose deliberately: not because you end up there by chance, but because you love sailing, skating, wide skies and a community where you still know your neighbours. The labour participation rate is 67% and employment is found locally in, among others, the dairy industry (Joure is the birthplace of Douwe Egberts), water sports and tourism. Commuting to Heerenveen or Sneek is possible within fifteen minutes.
The housing market is predominantly owner-occupied: 70% of the more than 23,500 homes are owner-occupied. The average WOZ value is €323,000, but actual transaction prices are higher. Over the past twelve months, 376 homes changed hands at an average purchase price of €499,799. The range is wide: from €129,500 for a modest village home to €2,500,000 for a waterside villa. Supply varies, so check the current overview at the top of this page for asking prices and selling times. Buurtje.nl bundles homes from more than 1,500 sources and adds neighbourhood scores and resident reviews, so you can assess not only the home but also the neighbourhood.
The best neighbourhoods to buy a home in De Fryske Marren
De Fryske Marren has dozens of villages and hamlets, each with its own character. From the lively central towns of Joure and Lemmer to quiet ribbon villages like Akmarijp and Eesterga. Below are the areas most popular with buyers.
Balk, the heart of the Gaasterlan region
Balk lies on the Luts, near the Slotermeer, and serves as a service centre for the entire Gaasterlan area. You will find a compact shopping centre, primary schools, a GP and sports clubs. The village attracts families and movers looking for space without sacrificing amenities. Residents appreciate the village atmosphere and the proximity of forest and water. Prices are slightly below the municipal average, making Balk interesting for those who want more square metres for the same budget. View the housing supply in Balk for the current situation.
Echten and Echtenerbrug, peace on the Tjonger
The villages Echten and Echtenerbrug lie on the Tjonger in the southeastern part of the municipality. Here you live truly rurally: meadows, water and silence. They are villages for people who consciously choose space and do not mind using a car for daily errands. House prices here are relatively low, making these villages attractive for starters who want a detached home. One resident describes it as follows: "You step out the door and you are immediately in nature, that is very normal here."
Bantega and Delfstrahuizen, affordable on the Tjeukemeer
Bantega and Delfstrahuizen lie on the shore of the Tjeukemeer, the largest lake in Friesland. Bantega is a compact village with a community centre and primary school, while Delfstrahuizen is slightly larger with more amenities. Both villages attract water sports enthusiasts and young families looking for an affordable home with a view of the water. Community spirit scores highly here among residents.
Bakhuizen, village living near the Gaasterland forests
Bakhuizen lies on the edge of Gaasterland, the only hilly area in Friesland. The village has a supermarket, primary school and active club life. Families choose Bakhuizen for the combination of nature (forests, cliffs on the IJsselmeer) and village amenities. Prices are moderate compared to the water-rich villages closer to Joure and Lemmer.
Other villages worth exploring are: Follega for those who want to be close to Lemmer, Goingarijp if you are looking for a picturesque terp village, and Boornzwaag for its proximity to Joure. View all reviews and neighbourhood scores of De Fryske Marren to compare the villages with each other.
What to look out for when buying a home in De Fryske Marren
Firstly: pay close attention to the location relative to water. A home on the Slotermeer or Tjeukemeer sounds fantastic, but also means higher insurance premiums, sometimes seepage water and in summer crowds from recreational boating. Always ask about the water management and any ground lease constructions for plots on the water.
Secondly: the price differences within the municipality are large. In the smaller villages like Dijken or Broek you can buy a spacious home for a fraction of what you pay in Joure or Lemmer, but you are also further from amenities. Decide in advance what you minimally want in the neighbourhood: school, supermarket, GP.
Thirdly: take selling times into account. The market in De Fryske Marren is not as overheated as in the Randstad, but desirable homes on the water sell quickly. Make sure your financing is in order before you go viewing.
Finally: use the neighbourhood scores and reviews on Buurtje.nl to assess not only the home but also the living environment. That saves surprises later. And if you prefer to be flexible, also check out a rental home in De Fryske Marren as an alternative.
What residents say about living in De Fryske Marren
Residents give De Fryske Marren an average score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 10 reviews. Safety (8.3), accessibility (8.3) and amenities (8.4) score notably high. The beauty of the surroundings scores 8.3, which is not surprising in a municipality with so much water and nature. The score for green space (6.8) is slightly lower, possibly because some villages are more agricultural than forested. "The peace and the water make everything good, but for large shops you have to go to Heerenveen or Sneek," says a resident of Balk. Curious about all experiences? Read the resident reviews of De Fryske Marren.
Homes for sale near De Fryske Marren
Looking beyond the municipal boundaries too? The surrounding municipalities each have their own character. View the supply in Heerenveen for more urban amenities, or look at homes in Leeuwarden if you are considering the Frisian capital. Towards the coast you will find homes for sale in Harlingen, and in the north lie Achtkarspelen and Dantumadiel. Compare neighbourhood scores via the province page to make an informed choice.
The current supply of homes for sale in De Fryske Marren
At the top of this page you will find the full supply of homes for sale in De Fryske Marren, updated daily. Use the filters on price, surface area and energy label to search specifically. With each home you immediately see the neighbourhood score and what residents think of the area. This way you not only buy a home, but consciously choose a neighbourhood that suits you. Whether you want to buy an apartment in Lemmer or a detached home in Gaasterland, the supply is broad enough to compare.
Frequently asked questions
How many owner-occupied homes are for sale in De Fryske Marren?
The current number of available owner-occupied homes in De Fryske Marren changes daily. At the top of this page you can see the current supply, compiled from more than 1,500 sources. In the past twelve months, 376 homes were sold in the municipality.
What does an owner-occupied home cost in De Fryske Marren?
The average purchase price in De Fryske Marren is €499,799 over the past twelve months. The range is wide: from €129,500 for a modest village home to €2,500,000 for a villa on the water. Villages like Echten and Bantega are generally cheaper than homes in Joure or on the Slotermeer.
What is the average price per square metre in De Fryske Marren?
Based on an average purchase price of €499,799 and an average area of 152 m², the price per square metre is approximately €3,288. This is an average; homes on the water are significantly higher, while in the smaller villages you can be below this average.
How long does a home stay on the market on average in De Fryske Marren?
The current average selling time can be found at the top of this page, which is updated daily. The market in De Fryske Marren is less overheated than in the Randstad, but sought-after properties on the water or in Joure and Lemmer generally sell quickly. In the smaller villages, the selling time is often a bit longer.
Which neighbourhoods in De Fryske Marren are the most popular to buy a home?
The most sought-after areas are Joure (largest core, most amenities), Lemmer (on the IJsselmeer, popular with water sports enthusiasts) and Balk (service centre of Gaasterland). Bakhuizen attracts families who want to combine nature and village amenities. Bantega and Delfstrahuizen are popular with first-time buyers due to the lower prices on the Tjeukemeer.
Is De Fryske Marren a good place to buy a home?
Residents give the municipality a 7.9 out of 10. Strong points are safety (8.3), amenities (8.4) and the beauty of the surroundings (8.3). With over 51,900 inhabitants, a WOZ value of €323,000 and 67% labour participation, it is a stable residential municipality. The proximity of Heerenveen and Sneek compensates for the more limited shopping offer in the smaller villages.
What are the additional costs when buying a home in De Fryske Marren?
Expect 4 to 6% on top of the purchase price in additional costs. This includes 2% transfer tax (buyers under 35 who are first-time buyers are exempt from this up to €510,000), notary costs, valuation costs and possible estate agent costs. With an average purchase price of €499,799, this amounts to approximately €20,000 to €30,000.
What about the accessibility of De Fryske Marren?
Residents rate the accessibility at 8.3. Lemmer is directly on the A6 towards the Randstad, Joure at the junction of the A6 and A7. There are no train stations in the municipality itself, but Heerenveen station is reachable within 15 minutes. For daily commuting you are dependent on the car or bus.
Can I search for owner-occupied homes per neighbourhood in De Fryske Marren?
Yes, on this page you can filter by location. In addition, each village has its own page with the local housing supply, neighbourhood scores and resident reviews. This way you can search specifically in, for example, Balk, Bantega or Bakhuizen and compare liveability per village.
How many homes are there in total in De Fryske Marren?
The municipality has approximately 23,593 homes, of which 70% are owner-occupied and 30% are rental homes. Of the rental homes, 23% are owned by housing corporations. The housing stock largely consists of single-family homes, which fits the rural character of the municipality.
In our street there's a lot of togetherness, we have cosy evenings. Last night we had a New Year's drink. Very cosy... Also in summer such an evening. But the most important thing for me is... as a neighbourhood we are there for everyone. Whatever happens... Togetherness.
Auto-translated to English by AIIn case of emergency, you can knock on anyone's door
Auto-translated to English by AIIt is usually quiet and there is nice nature outside, only the roads are not so great.
Auto-translated to English by AILately more trouble from loitering youths causing nuisance. Physical and verbal violence
Auto-translated to English by AIWell good, each to their own
Auto-translated to English by AISweet, nice, always attentive
Auto-translated to English by AIWe don't have much contact with the neighbourhood because everyone keeps to themselves
Auto-translated to English by AIThe people are involved with each other. And that's how it should be. Because better a good neighbour than a distant friend!! Public transport connections are poorly arranged. Sometimes I have a 1-hour transfer time... Hope that a train station will come to Lemmer for Kampen and Zwolle.. Would be great for Frisian students
Auto-translated to English by AI
