Cordia unveils ambitious 1,000+ apartment development in Budapest for 2025

Hungary’s new home market is poised for significant growth in 2025, with strong momentum already evident in late 2024. Property sales in Budapest surged in Q4, nearly matching the total transactions for the entire previous year. In response, Cordia, the country’s leading residential developer, is set to launch over 1,000 new apartments, spanning nearly 120,000 sqm, providing a diverse range of real estate investment opportunities.

New Home Sales on the Rise

Experts predict that Hungary’s housing market will see sustained growth, driven by increasing demand. In Budapest alone, 2,600 new apartments were sold in Q4 2024, marking the highest quarterly figure since 2018. This surge has led to a sharp decline in available inventory, with just 6,000 new units remaining—barely sufficient to meet demand for the coming year unless new projects enter the market. In total, 7,300 newly built apartments were sold in Budapest last year, nearing the dynamic sales levels of 2016–2018.

Rapid Expansion Underway

Cordia is responding swiftly to this market shift, launching multiple projects in early 2025. The developer will introduce more than 1,000 new apartments this year, with 75% hitting the market in Q1 alone—boosting Budapest’s supply of new homes by 20% compared to the previous year-end figures.

The company’s diverse portfolio includes everything from compact city-center studio apartments ideal for investors to family-friendly homes in green-belt areas and luxury penthouses with panoramic views. A major highlight is the Marina City development, a 14-hectare, car-free riverside project along the Danube. The third phase of this sought-after district is set to launch in 2025, with the fourth phase planned for the latter half of the year. The Marina City area accounted for 14% of all new apartment sales in Budapest during Q4 2024, reflecting its high popularity.

Cordia is also advancing the next phases of Sasad Resort, one of Buda’s premier residential communities, and the much-anticipated fifth phase of Thermal Zugló in District 14. In District 9’s Millennium Quarter, the second phase of the Woodland project is now underway, offering energy-efficient, long-term value-retaining homes.

Prime Investment Opportunities

Early-stage investment in new developments typically yields the best returns, as developers offer the most attractive pricing at the outset. With a conservative 5% annual appreciation, an apartment valued at HUF 100 million (approx. €245,000) could rise to HUF 116 million (€284,000) over a typical three-year construction period, generating a gross profit of HUF 16 million (€39,000).

To further enhance investment potential, Cordia is introducing a 10/90 financing model in February. This structure allows buyers to secure a property with just 10% of the purchase price, deferring the remaining 90% until completion—potentially increasing overall returns.

Property price trends have already outpaced the projected 5% appreciation. In 2024, average prices per square metre rose by 13% in Buda (to HUF 1.93 million / €4,700) and by 9% in Pest (to HUF 1.58 million / €3,870), signaling a strong upward trajectory.

Higher Rental Yields for New Builds

Newly built apartments continue to command higher rental prices compared to older properties. In Budapest’s Corvin Promenade, Cordia’s studio apartments achieve average monthly rents of HUF 270,000 (€662), one-bedroom units rent for HUF 330,000 (€809), and two-bedroom apartments fetch approximately HUF 500,000 (€1,225)—averaging 25% more than older properties in the same area.

With a thriving residential market, strong investor appeal, and rising demand for high-quality living spaces, Cordia’s ambitious 2025 development plan is well-positioned to meet Budapest’s growing housing needs while offering lucrative investment opportunities.