Year of the buyer: results of a study on real estate investment published

On the new-development market the volume of supply is growing, while solvent demand is shrinking, so market analysts expect a decline in prices per square meter. Measured forecasts speak of a price drop of 10–15%, and some experts do not rule out 30%. On the secondary housing market prices have already declined significantly. It is precisely this trend that becomes a favorable factor for those who have the opportunity to invest funds in real estate or are aiming to improve their housing conditions.

In January — February 2023 the agency «Mikhailov and Partners. Analytics» conducted a study of the investment activity of residents of Moscow, the Moscow region, Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region, focusing on the acquisition of real estate*. 1,079 respondents were surveyed who had made or were planning a purchase and who use classifieds. Among those intending to find and buy real estate this year, almost 80% answered** that they intend to do so with the help of «Cian». The high — on this indicator 1.5 times more than the nearest competitors — attention of buyers to this service is explained by its market coverage: every month developers, realtors and property owners post more than 2 million listings here. Those study respondents who in 2021–2022 acquired real estate in the capitals (Moscow, Saint Petersburg) and the corresponding regions made their choice through «Cian» in 65% of cases. This means that the «Cian» service attracts to its listings only a quality audience that is ready to make a purchase. The study confirmed that «Cian» has the largest base of up-to-date listings in Moscow, the Moscow region, Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Respondents noted that «Cian» — is a maximally convenient-to-use and reliable service; it is constantly developing and inspires trust in people who are in the process of buying real estate. In particular, users can on the first try get through to practically every listing posted on the platform. In a situation of wide choice and difficult demand, this becomes an advantage and is able to a certain extent to stimulate a purchase.

According to the assessment of «Cian.Analytics», the January decline in demand on the Moscow and Saint Petersburg new-development markets fits within the usual seasonal cycles. Despite the actual winding-down of mortgage programs with near-zero rates, no less than 85% of apartments are still purchased with bank loans. At the same time, the imbalance in prices between the primary and secondary markets has prompted heightened interest in the secondary housing market, where buyer activity (listing views and calls about them) is now growing. 

«Cian» makes it possible to handle tasks not only for market professionals, but also helps ordinary users decide on a responsible step, — says Mikhail Posrednikov, commercial director of «Cian». — That is why it is important for us to constantly improve the service, making it convenient for everyone. We are glad that the daily work of the «Cian» team resonates with all the platform’s users and is also confirmed by the study data».

* In Moscow and the MR, Saint Petersburg and the LR. «Mikhailov and Partners. Analytics» — «The target audience’s attitude toward investments in real estate», a sample of 1,079 respondents who plan to buy real estate within the coming year or made a real estate purchase in 2021–2022, or have free funds for investment, January-February, 2023

** The exact value — 78%

Source FORBES