Strong Start to the Year in the Hungarian Housing Market

Between December 27 and January 5, the number of inquiries for residential properties for sale increased by 8% year-on-year, and by 28% compared to two years ago, which foreshadows a strong year in the housing market, according to ingatlan.com's own advertising data, reported MTI on Tuesday.

The statement quoted László Balogh, chief economic expert of the real estate advertising portal, who said that the demand for housing at the beginning of the year is a good indicator for the period ahead.

Many families decide on their plans to move during the Christmas period and signs of rising demand are already visible in the market, he added.

According to the expert, the main interest at the moment is from owner-occupiers, who are mainly looking for detached, semi-detached and terraced houses. 55% of enquiries were for these properties, compared with 46% a year ago and 48% two years earlier.

Demand for residential property for sale in municipalities and smaller towns rose by 31% and 36%, respectively, year-on-year, in the last days of 2024 and the first days of this year.

According to data from property.com, 19% of all enquiries were for homes for sale in villages and 30% in towns, up from 15% and 24%, respectively in previous years.

According to László Balogh, demand in cities and Budapest could pick up in 2025 as investors enter the market.