Bidding Wars for Affordable Land in Götene, Sweden: A Response to Housing Crisis and Global Demand

Götene, a picturesque town in Sweden, is experiencing a surge of interest from potential buyers after announcing that it will sell plots of land at prices starting at just over 10 cents per square meter. Located about 200 miles southwest of Stockholm, Götene aims to attract more residents amidst a national housing crisis, rising interest rates, and declining birth rates, as stated by Mayor Johan Månsson.

Götene offers a serene rural setting with approximately 5,000 full-time residents and 13,000 people in the surrounding municipality. The town is situated near the largest lake in the EU and close to a nearby mountain town, as well as home to two UNESCO-rated sites. The local government is selling 30 plots of land that have been on the market for many years, and buyers must begin building a home within two years of purchase.

Initially, only around 30 interested buyers contacted Götene city hall when the land first went on sale in May. However, the program quickly gained widespread attention, leading to “thousands and thousands” of prospective buyers reaching out to city hall and causing chaos. Due to the overwhelming response, authorities decided to pause the program until early August to address the flood of requests.

Four buyers were able to purchase plots before the temporary halt, and once the program reopens, it is likely to transition to a bidding process for the remaining land. This initiative in Götene reflects a growing trend of Americans and others looking to Europe for more affordable housing options.