Homes for sale in Ooststellingwerf
View the current supply of homes for sale in Ooststellingwerf, including neighbourhood scores and resident reviews per village.
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Buying a house in Ooststellingwerf: the housing market in 2026
Ooststellingwerf is a green municipality in the southeast of Friesland, where forests, heathland and small-scale villages set the tone. With around 25,800 inhabitants spread across places such as Oosterwolde, Appelscha and Haulerwijk, it is a municipality where space is still a given. Oosterwolde serves as the central hub with supermarkets, secondary schools and the town hall, while villages like Appelscha and Fochteloo mainly attract with nature and tranquillity. Its location on the A32 towards Heerenveen and Zwolle makes the municipality accessible, although for a train station you have to rely on Wolvega or Heerenveen. Of the more than 11,400 homes, 67% are owner-occupied, which fits the rural character. The average WOZ value is €303,000, but the average selling price over the past twelve months came to €563,562. That difference shows that quite a few larger homes and farmhouses are changing hands. The range runs from €120,000 to €1,375,000, so there is choice for both first-time buyers and those moving up. At the top of this page you will find the current supply and the most recent market figures. 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 surroundings.
The best neighbourhoods to buy a house in Ooststellingwerf
Ooststellingwerf has thirteen villages and hamlets, each with its own character. From the lively Oosterwolde to the forested Appelscha: the differences in atmosphere, price level and amenities are greater than you might expect from a rural municipality. Below are the main residential areas listed.
Appelscha, living on the edge of the forest
Appelscha is the tourist heart of the municipality, known for the Drents-Friese Wold and Duinen Zathe recreation park. Yet it is also a fully-fledged residential area with its own supermarket, primary school and community centre. Residents give the village a remarkably high neighbourhood score of 9.6 on Buurtje.nl. The housing market consists of a mix of detached houses, former holiday homes that are now permanently occupied, and new-build homes. Due to its popularity with nature lovers and retirees, prices are slightly above the municipal average. View the housing supply in Appelscha for the current situation.
Oosterwolde, the amenities centre of the municipality
If you value short distances to shops, schools and healthcare, then Oosterwolde is the logical choice. Here you will find the De Stellingwerven shopping centre, the Stellingwerf College, GPs and a sports complex. Residents rate the village an 8.2 and particularly mention accessibility as a strong point. The housing stock is more varied than elsewhere in the municipality: in addition to detached houses, there are also terraced houses and a limited number of apartments, which makes it interesting if you are considering buying an apartment in Ooststellingwerf. Prices are around the municipal average. Discover what is for sale in Oosterwolde.
Haulerwijk, village living with a close-knit community
Haulerwijk is a ribbon village that stretches for kilometres along the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart. The village has its own supermarket, several primary schools and an active club life. With a neighbourhood score of 8.6, Haulerwijk scores well, especially in terms of green space and safety. One resident wrote: "Wonderfully quiet and yet everything within reach." Homes here are generally slightly more affordable than in Appelscha or Oosterwolde, making the village attractive for families and first-time buyers. View the available homes in Haulerwijk.
Donkerbroek, quiet village life with good connections
Donkerbroek is centrally located in the municipality, directly on the A32 towards Heerenveen. This makes it popular with commuters who work elsewhere during the day but seek the peace of the countryside in the evening. The neighbourhood score is 8.3 and residents particularly appreciate the combination of accessibility and village atmosphere. The housing market mainly consists of detached houses and semi-detached houses. Prices here are relatively attractive compared to Oosterwolde. View the supply in Donkerbroek.
In addition to these villages, there are smaller settlements worth considering. Fochteloo borders the Fochteloërveen and is for those who truly seek silence. Makkinga and Oldeberkoop are characteristic Stellingwerf villages with monumental farmhouses. In Waskemeer (neighbourhood score 5.6), prices are lowest, but residents are more critical of the amenities. Read all ratings and reviews per village on the municipality page of Ooststellingwerf.
What to look out for when buying a home in Ooststellingwerf?
Firstly: look closely at the differences between the villages. The average purchase price of €563,562 is strongly influenced by the spacious detached houses and farmhouses sold here. In Haulerwijk or Waskemeer you will find homes that are well below that average, while a former farmhouse in the rural area of Appelscha can be well above it. Secondly: take into account the dependence on the car. Public transport is limited to bus lines and the nearest train stations are in Wolvega and Heerenveen. That is not a problem if you have a car, but it is good to know. Thirdly: check the energy label. Many homes in the municipality are older and the average gas consumption (1,260 m³) is not low. Always ask about insulation measures and any sustainability plans. Finally: use the neighbourhood scores and resident reviews on Buurtje.nl to get a fair picture of liveability per village, because it varies more than you think. Are you also considering renting a home in Ooststellingwerf? Then it is certainly worth a look, although the rental supply is more limited (33% of the stock).
What residents say about living in Ooststellingwerf
Based on 9 resident reviews, Ooststellingwerf scores an 8.2 out of 10. Notably high scores are for accessibility (9.0) and green space (8.7), while sense of community (7.2) is somewhat lower. That fits the picture of a municipality where you mainly come for space and nature, and where you have to build your own social network. A resident of Donkerbroek wrote: "Quiet surroundings, good accessibility via the A32 and plenty of space around you." Curious about all experiences? View all resident reviews of Ooststellingwerf.
Homes for sale near Ooststellingwerf
Are you looking wider than just Ooststellingwerf? The surrounding municipalities offer similar tranquillity but each with its own character. Also view the supply in Heerenveen for more urban amenities, De Fryske Marren if you are looking for water instead of forest, or Achtkarspelen for a similar village character. Dantumadiel and Harlingen are also worth considering. More about the entire province of Friesland can be found on the province page.
View the current supply of homes for sale in Ooststellingwerf
At the top of this page you will find all homes for sale in Ooststellingwerf that are currently available. Use the filters to search by price, living area or energy label. With each home you will also see the neighbourhood score and relevant district data, so you can immediately assess whether the location suits you. The municipality of Ooststellingwerf also publishes information about zoning plans and new-build projects that may be relevant to your search.
Frequently asked questions
How many homes for sale are there in Ooststellingwerf?
The current number of homes for sale in Ooststellingwerf can be found at the top of this page. The listings are updated daily based on more than 1,500 sources, so you always have a complete and up-to-date overview.
What does a home cost in Ooststellingwerf?
The average purchase price in Ooststellingwerf over the past twelve months was €563,562. The range runs from €120,000 to €1,375,000. In villages like Haulerwijk and Waskemeer, prices are lower than in Appelscha or the rural area, where spacious detached homes and farmhouses push the average up.
What is the average price per square metre in Ooststellingwerf?
Based on an average purchase price of €563,562 and an average living area of 157 m², the price per square metre comes to approximately €3,590. This is an average; compact homes in Oosterwolde have a higher m² price than large detached houses in the rural area.
How long does a home stay on the market on average in Ooststellingwerf?
The current average selling time can be found at the top of this page. Generally, the market in Ooststellingwerf is more balanced than in the Randstad: homes don't sell within a week, but well-priced houses also don't stay on the market for months. The number of homes sold over the past twelve months was 161.
Which neighbourhoods in Ooststellingwerf are most popular for buying a home?
Appelscha scores highest among residents with a 9.6, followed by Haulerwijk (8.6) and Donkerbroek (8.3). Appelscha particularly attracts nature lovers, Oosterwolde (8.2) is popular for its amenities, and Haulerwijk offers good value for money for families.
Is Ooststellingwerf a good place to buy a home?
Ooststellingwerf scores an 8.2 among residents and offers plenty of space for relatively low prices compared to the west of the country. The WOZ value is €303,000, the labour participation rate is 63%, and the municipality has good basic amenities. Disadvantages are the reliance on cars and the limited availability of higher education and specialist care in the immediate vicinity.
What are the additional costs when buying a home in Ooststellingwerf?
Expect 4 to 6% on top of the purchase price. This includes transfer tax (2%, or 0% with the starter exemption for buyers under 35 for homes up to €510,000), notary fees, valuation costs, and possible estate agent fees. For a home of €563,562, this amounts to approximately €22,000 to €34,000 in additional costs.
How accessible is Ooststellingwerf?
The municipality is located on the A32 towards Heerenveen and Zwolle, making car traffic smooth. Public transport is more limited: there are bus connections, but the nearest train station is Wolvega (about 15 minutes by car). Residents give accessibility a 9.0, but this is mainly based on accessibility by car.
Can I search for homes by neighbourhood in Ooststellingwerf?
Yes, on this page you can filter by neighbourhood. Additionally, each village has its own page with local housing supply and the corresponding neighbourhood score. This allows you to search specifically in, for example, Appelscha, Oosterwolde, or Haulerwijk.
How many homes are there in total in Ooststellingwerf?
The municipality has 11,468 homes, of which 67% are owner-occupied and 33% are rental homes. Of the rental homes, 27% are owned by housing associations. The vast majority of owner-occupied homes are detached houses and semi-detached houses, fitting the rural character of the municipality.
Yes, quite a cosy little neighbourhood
Auto-translated to English by AIThey're always up for a chat and a helping hand when needed.
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Auto-translated to English by AIIt's a neighbourhood you really have to get used to. Little contact with neighbours. Green neighbourhood. On the edge of the village. The nature is beautiful. Supermarket is within walking distance. The village could be a bit cosier.
Auto-translated to English by AIAbsolutely great
Auto-translated to English by AIDuring the day, many people are at work. School and shops nearby. Nice neighbourhood association on our street. Friendly people.
Auto-translated to English by AIThe courtyard where I live is a fine courtyard. The row where I live is cosy; in summer we sit with the neighbours I have contact with in the front garden at the other neighbour's house. My children also like it here.
Auto-translated to English by AIThe village is very dead, there are no shops and there is one secondary school that has no exam classes and at the primary school you have 3 different classes in one room. You really see no one outside and it is abnormally boring.
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