
Sofia Property Market in 2023
The Sofia Property Market in 2023 is still developing, and unlikely other EU capitals from the former Soviet Bloc, prices are still affordable and haven’t reached their peak.
Sofia is popular for both local professionals and international staff, particularly to support the large number of IT companies in the city. Sofia is now well served by low-cost airlines, such as RyanAir and WizzAir, and is very popular for a short get away which has caused a large demand for very short term let, making Sofia worth considering as a property investment option.
With a tight labour market, wages are expected to continue to grow strongly to sustain retail consumption. Inflation will be directly impacted by the size of these wage increases.
Demand for Properties in Sofia in 2023
It is expected that the demand in the Sofia property market in 2023 will reduce due to the interest rates, which have been introduced to bring down inflation, and tighter restrictions on granting new mortgages to reduce the risk of default.
Whether this will cause a reduction in property prices is unclear, as inflation is expected to fall in 2023 but there certainly been a stagnation in house price rises.
Enquiries for the purchase of apartments in Sofia continue to rise have risen by 15% but transactions are down by 10% so far in 2023 so this could be a good opportunity to invest I property in Sofia in 2023 as there will be greater availability and less competition.
New Build Developments in Sofia
Builders in Sofia are pushing boundaries now in terms of architectural style and finish new build developments in Sofia.
Long gone are the days of the standard apartment building and now there are many exclusive developments in desirable locations where builders are choosing to create something different.
Another large improvement has been in the use of Green Building practices in construction which are increasing water and energy efficiency, reducing waste and emissions.
Real Estate Trends in Sofia in 2023
Increasing Number of Property Owners
Demand for residential homes has skyrocketed. IT Professionals from other parts of Bulgaria, often with families, and international workers have moved to Sofia in large numbers in order to take advantage of the amenities that the city has to offer.
Many businesses are choosing to keep a hybrid or entirely remote work environment, even though some have reinstated in-person work requirements and this tendency is most likely to continue. Therefore, more families with young children want properties with access to the fresh air such as gardens, balconies or roof top terraces.
Millennials Starting to Buy Homes
Millennials, in relative terms, are extremely wealthy thanks to the rise of remote work, the abundance of business possibilities on social media, and a decade of plenty. In comparison to millennials today, people in their 50s, 60s, and later were not nearly as wealthy in their 20s. Millennials will therefore start to enter the market and purchase their first homes in 2023.
New Technology Keeps Growing
Over the past 20 years, technology has been a powerful force, upending and advancing many sectors. Real estate, however, has taken a while to adjust. Expect that tendency to change course as new capital flows in and younger people become interested in the sector.
A few examples of how technology will continue to advance in the real estate industry include new workflow technology management companies, tech-enabled smart home apps, and the internet of things.
To entice high-quality tenants in 2023, anticipate property owners, landlords, and builders to set themselves apart with even better amenities. A movie theatre, a terrace, a pet grooming area, or dry laundry services might be a few of these extras.
Prices in the Sofia Property Market in 2023
Real GDP in Bulgaria is expected to increase by 1.4% in 2023 and by 2.5% in 2024.
Inflation in the EU decreased in January reaching 10% year-on-year while inflation in Bulgaria decreased in January to 14.1% from 14.3% at the end of 2022.
The decrease in the cost of energy and levelling off inflation has resulted in an increase in confidence in the real estate market in Sofia and in February 2023 the number of viewings started to increase to the numbers of mid-2022.
The increase in viewings has led to an increase in offers at or close to the asking price on most properties so it appears that Sofia will avoid a collapse in property prices in 2023.