Advanced: Europe’s Property Ladder: Why It’s So Hard to Climb

1. What’s the key trend in EU housing since 2010?

• A. House prices and rents have both fallen overall.

• B. Rents have risen sharply, but house prices have stayed flat.

• C. House prices are up about 16%, and rents are up nearly 39%.

• D. House prices are up about 60%, and rents are up nearly 29%.

2. What does the “hungry beast” metaphor refer to?

• A. Housing costs eat up people’s income before they can save.

• B. People overspending on holidays instead of saving deposits.

• C. Banks raising rates to discourage borrowing.

• D. Investors buying second homes for fun.

3. What does the “price-to-income ratio” describe?

• A. The share of income people spend on rent each month.

• B. How quickly salaries rise compared with inflation.

• C. How many years of earnings it takes to buy a home.

• D. The percentage of buyers who need family help.

4. According to the video, roughly how much does the average EU full-time worker take home after tax each year?

• A. About €29,600.

• B. About €39,800.

• C. About €19,700.

• D. About €12,700.

5. What record figure does the script give for the average first-time buyer mortgage in the UK in 2025?

• A. £201,800

• B. £210,080

• C. £218,000

• D. £210,800

6. What’s the main “not hopeless” message at the end of the video?

• A. Wait for prices to crash, then buy immediately.

• B. Use strategy: clear debts, compare mortgages, and consider teaming up or starting smaller.

• C. Move only to Ireland because it’s the cheapest.

• D. Avoid home ownership entirely because renting is always better.