Activity on the residential property market recovered sharply in 2015, supported by long-term interest rates, which remained at historically low levels. On the existing homes market, the number of deals increased by 16% over the year, climbing above its long-term average, while sales gained 17.9% on the new homes market, building on the recovery that began in late 2014. The pick-up took place as prices for existing dwellings held steady in 2015; after previously falling for three years running, prices were 0.1% down nationwide, but 0.3% higher in Paris and 0.2% in the rest of France.