Poland: Sales hits 2023 on the housing market

Which new flats sold best last year? In what size and price? Which investments were chosen by buyers?

Cezary Grabowski, Sales and Marketing Director of Bouygues Immoblier Polska:
In 2023, the best-selling investments were our two estates in Bemowo, i.e. Osiedle Lumea 2 and Osiedle Lumea 3. The popularity of these projects was influenced not only by their well-thought-out square metres and layouts, but above all by their location - right next to the Chrzanów underground station under construction and a newly built school.

Customers were also keen to opt for flats in Poznań at the Lune de Malta estate. This is a typically family-oriented development with a multifunctional pitch, playground and walking paths. An additional advantage of these flats is their proximity to the recreational areas of Lake Malta.

Last year, the best-selling flats were the two- and three-room ones. 42 per cent of all the flats we sold were 2-rooms. 24 per cent were units with 3 rooms. 22 per cent of the flats sold were studio flats, and the remainder were the largest flats on offer, i.e. 4- and 5-room flats.

Andrzej Oślizło, President of the Management Board, Develia S.A.:
Last year turned out to be a big surprise for the property development industry. As late as in the first quarter, sales were forecast at a level comparable to or lower than in 2022, when around 35,000 flats found owners in the six largest markets. The liberalisation of Recommendation S and the plans to launch the government's 2% Secure Credit programme activated first investment buyers and then loan buyers. Virtually all flats sold well, partly due to the rapidly decreasing offer on the market. These included units purchased with a view to renting as well as with the aim of meeting one's own housing needs.

From July onwards, flats meeting the requirements of the BK 2 per cent programme were in particular demand. We concluded the largest number of transactions in multi-phase projects, where we were able to launch successive phases quickly in response to strong buyer interest.

We sold the largest number, over 350 flats, in Aleje Praskie in Warsaw's Grochów district. The Centralna Park estate in Kraków, Ceglana Park in Katowice and Ślężna Vita in Wrocław were slightly less in demand.

Małgorzata Ostrowska, Director of the Marketing and Sales Division at J.W. Construction:
The smallest floor areas continue to be the most popular among customers. They are the first to disappear from almost every one of our investments. So-called viewing flats were also at a premium last year. We observed this particularly in our investment in Szczecin, where the largest demand, regardless of price and size, was for flats with a view of the Oder River.

Karolina Bronszewska, Member of the Management Board, Marketing and Innovation Director Ronson Development:
We recorded the highest dynamics of flat sales in 2023 in two Warsaw projects - Miasto Moje and Ursus Centralny, which are a continuation of already partially completed developments and are our flagship projects. These estates have been designed as self-sufficient, which means that there is extensive infrastructure - retail, services and education - in their immediate vicinity.

One- and two-room flats sold best here. There was also a significant share of units covered by the government's 2% Safe Credit programme. The most popular in the City of My City project were especially the 26 sq m studio flats, available at an attractive price starting from PLN 355,000.

Angelika Kliś, board member of Atal:
Amongst other things, two- and three-room flats with an area of approximately 50 sq m, which additionally meet the conditions of the loan subsidy programme, were the best-sellers due to their affordability, but also generally due to their greatest popularity. The 2% Secure Credit programme has clearly boosted the sales rate of flats in locations with a lower price per square metre.

The type of investment, its location and the specifics of the local market and prices per sq m also have an impact on how the units sell. The structure of the flats in a given development is also important. For example, in the Na Opoczyńskiej investment in Wrocław, launched in December 2023, we offered only two- and three-room units.

Michał Witkowski, sales director at Lokum Deweloper:
In the past year we have observed high customer interest in our entire offer, which was reflected in the structure of contracted flats, which included all types of units we offered. Two-room flats of about 40 sqm were very popular, especially those ready to move in from the Lokum Porto development located in the Old Town and the novelties available as part of the Lokum la Vida development located on Herbsta Street in Wrocław.

This type of property is an ideal solution for a start-up or for rent. Thanks to the optimal use of each m2, we get the convenience of a living area and a separate bedroom in a relatively small space. Two-room flats were bought at prices between PLN 550,000 and 700,000. There was also considerable interest in three- and four-room family units, especially those available as part of the offer of the Lokum Verde development, located in Zakrzów in Wrocław. Customers appreciated the fact that they are ready, and that the investment itself has a very friendly character thanks to the well-thought-out, green common areas. The prices of these flats are slightly lower than in the city centre, and as a result, some of the units qualified for the 2% Safe Credit programme.

A large number of buyers were also looking for an apartment in a quiet location close to nature. This is provided by the Lokum Monte housing estate, located in Sobótka, at the foot of the Ślęza mountain. An advantage of the investment's location is good communication with Wrocław and Świdnica. The spacious, ready-made flats with a mezzanine are perfect as a place to live, work remotely or as a second home. A part has been finished according to our designs, which allow to arrange the space particularly attractively and efficiently. A property in development condition with a parking space at Lokum Monte could be purchased for around PLN 800,000.

A noticeable trend was also the interest of customers in turnkey finished units, which applies to all estates. We are receiving positive feedback regarding the solutions proposed by our interior architects, the high quality of the materials used and the comprehensive nature of this service. Some of these flats find a buyer even before the finishing work is completed.

Mariola Żak, sales and marketing director at Aurec Home:
In our sales offer in 2023, two-room flats up to 45 sqm were leading the way. The strong buyout of compact units was and continues to be driven by the 2 per cent Loan, which allows young people to 'go it alone'. We note that those deciding to buy flats from the Urban Dawn development are mainly people aged 25-35, who are purchasing their first property and before July 2023 had no chance to do so because their creditworthiness did not allow them to do so.

The people buying premises with government funding fall into two groups. The first is usually singles or couples who are thinking about a 'starter' flat and plan to buy a flat for an amount that consists of a subsidy of PLN 500,000 plus their own contribution of usually 10 per cent of the value of the whole flat. The second group is usually families with children who are thinking about a target flat and, thanks to their previously accumulated savings for their own contribution and the subsidy of PLN 600,000 for families, they could afford a flat up to the amount of PLN 800,000.

Flats in the price range of PLN 600-800k sold out in a flash, and were usually studios or compact two- and three-bedroom units. In 2023, we also recorded a record number of reservation agreements signed. It should be mentioned that units from the 'Home&Office' offer, i.e. flats of more than 80 sqm, were also in high demand.

Eyal Keltsh, President of the Management Board of Robyg Group and Vantage:
Two- and three-bedroom flats were the most sold in 2023. Customers always expect a very advanced technological and eco offer, as well as low-carbon solutions, such as fibre optics, LED lighting, SMART HOUSE systems included in the price, or triple-glazed windows, a monitoring and security system, but also appropriate landscaping: greenery, parks, playgrounds, anti-smog elements, chargers for electric cars or solar benches and bicycle infrastructure. Such elements are being implemented on every estate.

In addition, balconies, gardens and loggias are always an important aspect in the decision-making process. This is what we offer in every project. The locations of our estates are always very attractive, which is why we have high sales in each project.

At the same time, however, we offered properties of interest to investors, primarily in city centres, as well as comfortable units for families in model estates, which are being developed in line with the concept of 15-minute cities. An appropriate approach to design at the core of the entire process, thoughtfully urbanised estates, appropriate planning of the location of the buildings and properly sunny flats with functional layouts mean that the properties in our offer, regardless of the specific location, enjoy a similar level of interest from buyers, which we consider to be a success.

Source: dompress.pl
Photo: Ronson, Miasto Moje