The Share of Mortgage Loans Reached Its Highest Level in Seven Years in July

The residential market in Bucharest remained active in August, recording the second-best month of 2025 in terms of housing transactions. A total of 4,469 homes were sold in the capital, 10.1% fewer than in July, which marked an all-time high for this year. However, the August volume remained more than 15% above the 2025 monthly average.

Sector 3 District led in transactions, accounting for nearly one-third of all apartment sales in Bucharest. The next most active areas were Sector 6 District, with 796 homes sold, and Sector 1 District, with 784 units transacted.

“Demand for housing remains strong, even after the exceptional month of July. In August, we observed a return to a transaction pace like the first months of the year, but still above the general average, which confirms buyers’ confidence in the residential market,” explains George Călin, Residential Manager at Fortim Trusted Advisors, a member of the BNP Paribas Real Estate Alliance.

July was marked by a significant surge in sales, with a 48% increase compared to the previous month, driven by several factors: buyers’ desire to benefit from the old, reduced VAT rate before fiscal changes, as well as a record volume of approved mortgage loans.

Banks played an important role in energizing the residential market in July 2025, accelerating the approval of mortgage loans in anticipation of the imminent VAT increase on housing. As a result, 71% of real estate transactions in Bucharest were financed through mortgage loans, a record level for the past seven years.

“This unusually high share of bank financing reflects a strong mobilization from both buyers and financial institutions, which responded swiftly to the increased demand for loan approvals ahead of the fiscal changes,” explains George Călin, Residential Manager at Fortim Trusted Advisors, a member of the BNP Paribas Real Estate Alliance.