Calendar of successful acquisitions, or When is it more profitable to buy an apartment

The press secretary of the Real Estate Fair exhibition, Marina Polyakova, answers:

Two seasons on the real estate market are optimal for solving the housing problem. This is mid-autumn and mid-spring. It is at this time that a noticeable revival occurs: companies develop interesting offers, and buyers are actively interested in them.

Why exactly mid-autumn and spring? January and February are the months of “post-New Year’s acclimatization,” when we formulate plans and budgets. In May we think about barbecues and May Days, as well as the holiday season. Summer is a time of general calm, when activity in all sectors is scheduled to decrease, except for the leisure and entertainment industry. September is similar to January: we return to the working rhythm and accumulate income and savings. December passes under the slogan “It’s left until the New Year...”.

There are still periods of “off-season”: March, April, October and November – a time when you can effectively concentrate on solving important issues.

We buy apartments in winter

To the question? When is the best time to buy an apartment? many experts answer that, of course, in winter. At the beginning of December, the real estate market begins to “fall asleep,” a minimal number of transactions are made, few buyers, and there are significantly fewer apartment viewings than in the fall. Therefore, when a person urgently needs to sell an apartment, say, on the secondary market, he can offer a very good discount. Many experts are sure: December is the ideal month to buy real estate. And the prices are low, and the deal can be completed before the start of the new year.

January is also not a bad time, realtors say. Prices remain at the December level, but there have been cases when property owners (sellers) did not come to a meeting with a client because they celebrated New Year, Christmas, and so on.

Already in February, prices for “marketable real estate” (one- and two-room apartments) begin to creep up.

Leading analyst at Okay Broker Investment Company Roman Tkachuk answers:

In 2015, the value of real estate in Russia fell by 10-20% in rubles. In foreign currency, the decline was even more significant. Demand has decreased noticeably. Selling an apartment has become more difficult; sellers are forced to accept discounts. Based on the economic situation, a possible increase in property taxes and a drop in household incomes, the bottom of the crisis has not yet been reached, and real estate will continue to fall in price. It is quite possible to reduce the cost per square meter by another 5-10%; more dramatic scenarios are not excluded.

Therefore, if you have a need for housing and the amount required for this, then you should not postpone the purchase. Now the real estate market is a buyers' market. It is possible to choose the most suitable option and bargain with sellers for a 5-10% discount.

But now is not the best time for investing in real estate (buying a second, third, etc. apartment): apartments are becoming cheaper, and the rental price is also decreasing. The return on investment in real estate is now at a very low level - about 5% per annum (the annual rent for an apartment in Moscow worth 6 million rubles is approximately 300 thousand rubles without taking into account utility costs, repair costs, etc.). This is much lower than current market yields on bonds (11-14%) and even yields on bank deposits (7-10%).

To summarize, first home buyers should not delay their purchase, and “apartment investors” can take a closer look at alternative investment options with higher returns and lower risks.

Which secondary apartments are not worth buying? Qualitative characteristics

Which secondary apartments are not worth buying? Legal aspects

Real estate business in 2021

Many people living in regional centers or even small provincial towns who have decent cash savings often buy houses in order to have a stable passive income.
There is also a category of people who do not buy the entire residential premises, but only a specific part of it. As a rule, this applies to entrepreneurs who are looking for premises for their office or other workspace. Is it worth buying a share in an apartment in 2021 to convert it into a work space? This is a very good option if the person who will own the other shares of this property is reliable and time-tested. In addition, you must prepare yourself in advance for the fact that you will not be able to freely dispose of this share. Everything will need to be constantly coordinated with the co-owners. Almost the same situation applies to those who are concerned about the question of whether it is worth buying a room in an apartment in 2021. During a crisis, people have the opportunity to purchase full-fledged housing, because prices are always reduced. At the right time, you can always sell an apartment, but it’s unlikely to sell just one room. If you have living space at your disposal that you plan to sell, then think carefully about whether to sell your apartment in 2021. If it is possible to wait for better times, then it is more profitable to postpone the sale until the real estate market increases. If money is needed urgently, then there cannot be a better period than a crisis. Buyers will be found quickly, since it is primarily beneficial to them.

For people wondering whether it is worth buying an apartment in Moscow this year, experts recommend not to rush, since the cost of housing in the metropolis, even during a crisis, is quite high; there is no cheap housing in this city. It is better to focus on how to earn money for an apartment in Moscow, and purchase it in favorable economic times, without using mortgage loans.

Svetlana Birina, head of the secondary real estate department, answers:

The current period is ideal for purchasing secondary real estate. Due to the falling market, homeowners in Moscow are taking significant discounts. More than 80% of objects are sold at a discount, and real prices differ markedly from advertising ones. The size of the discount depends on the liquidity and characteristics of the property being sold and can reach 10-15%. In the near future, judging by the current situation in the economy, this trend will continue.

Termination of the state mortgage subsidy program may indirectly affect the secondary market. The fact is that we previously recorded a shift in demand towards the segment of new buildings, which is explained by the difference in rates on mortgages and secondary housing, and if the program is terminated, the cost of loans will be almost comparable. However, the difference was most obvious in the first half of 2015, and later, against the backdrop of a reduction in the key rate, banks were able to offer more optimal conditions for home buyers on credit.

Buying a home in 2021: analyst forecasts

The question of whether it is worth buying an apartment this year is first of all thought by analysts who need to make a forecast for potential real estate buyers. After all, it is important for a person who is going to conclude a corresponding deal to know and understand the opinion of experts whether it is worth buying an apartment in 2021. Unfortunately, experts do not have a consensus on this matter. One half believes that the purchase of real estate in 2021 should be postponed until a more favorable time, while others, discussing the question of whether it is worth buying an apartment now, say unequivocally in the affirmative. After analyzing the arguments of all experts, we can draw the following conclusions:

Luxury housing will not decrease in price, so those who want to buy just such a haven do not have to postpone this matter, and feel free to conclude a purchase and sale transaction;
For those who doubt whether to buy an apartment in a new building in 2021, experts advise making a decision quickly in order to make a profitable purchase. After all, such housing will decrease in price this year;
For those who doubt whether it is worth buying a new apartment, that is, one that has already been completed and is fully prepared to enter and live there, experts advise making a decision not in favor of the deal. According to their forecasts, these types of real estate will cost several percent less in 3-4 years;
Is it worth buying an old apartment, that is, secondary market housing? Definitely yes. After all, many sellers who have not been able to sell their real estate for a long time always make concessions to potential buyers with cash in times of crisis, and therefore make decent discounts. If you find such a seller, then hurry up to complete the transaction so that the nuances regarding the responsibilities of the parties are recorded. You can make a profitable acquisition, on which in the future you will have the opportunity to build a real business. This applies to people who are considering whether to buy apartments for rent in 2021;
If you are looking for a housing option for yourself, then it is recommended to postpone the purchase, because living in a modern building, with the latest communications, necessary infrastructure facilities near a complex development, “pure” history and neighbors of your social status is much more pleasant;
For people thinking about whether to buy an apartment with a mortgage, experts do not recommend getting involved with bank lending operations. It is allowed to purchase housing on credit only if you meet the requirements of the Russian Federation state program for mortgage support “Young Family”. What it is: You must make a down payment and be able to pay a predetermined amount on the loan each month. But here you need to take into account the nuance of when it is better to buy an apartment in 2021 with a mortgage. It is best to have time to finalize the deal before March, while there are funds in the country’s budget.

All of the above advice from analysts is very important to take into account for people thinking about whether it is worth buying an apartment now in 2021. They will help you save your savings or invest them profitably in a good home in times of crisis.

Anastasia Tomm, senior marketing and sales manager at the MONE Residence, answers:

Now the most advantageous position is for those who saved up to improve their living conditions in dollars or euros: most developers converted prices into rubles at the beginning of 2015, the rate almost doubled during this time, so foreign currency savings will allow you to choose a larger area, a better location . But those who have savings in rubles will find benefits in the current economic situation when buying an apartment. Demand is now lower than in the pre-crisis period, so developers are making discounts and selling meters in installments on good terms. At the same time, exchange rates are predicted to continue to rise, and it may be better to buy an apartment now before prices rise even higher.

If we talk about the market outside of a crisis, a decrease in purchasing activity is traditionally observed during the summer holidays and at the beginning of the year: people at this time actually relax more and solve their problems less. Potential buyers rarely divide the year into good and bad seasons in terms of the benefits of deals. An apartment should be purchased when such an opportunity exists, and waiting for special offers and holiday promotions from developers does not always bring results in every price segment.

What is the most profitable and reliable way to save for an apartment?

Which apartment is better to buy – a new building or a resale one?

Housing in a new building: cheaper in summer

Indeed, in the summer there is an opportunity to purchase housing in a new building more profitably. Developers are well aware that summer is a “low season” and are making every effort to speed up sales in complexes under construction. So they attract potential buyers with discounts ranging from 3 to 10%, various promotions and even gifts.

A parking space or storage room can also be purchased with a discount. As a result, purchasing a home will cost you less than you planned, and with the money you save you can start renovations or get ready to have a good rest. By autumn, housing costs begin to increase slightly.

First Deputy General Director Ekaterina Ignatieva answers:

It all depends on the buyer's needs. When a buyer is faced with an urgent need to purchase a home, attempts to guess market conditions, catch a “profitable season,” etc. are rarely the determining factors. A successful choice of property plays an important role here; most often it is finished housing with finishing, since the buyer has the opportunity to move into his new apartment almost immediately.

If the buyer is not tied to immediate occupancy in a new apartment or is purchasing real estate for investment purposes, then, of course, you can try to observe the situation on the real estate market, the behavior of the exchange rate and the development of the economic situation.

If we talk about the current situation in the real estate market and answer the question whether it is profitable to purchase real estate right now, the answer will be positive. Yes, it's profitable.

Firstly, prices for new buildings really fell in 2015, the cost is still attractive for buyers. Secondly, thanks to the current program of government subsidies for mortgage rates, mortgage lending has become much more profitable. However, the program expires in March.

What happens in the real estate market during the year?

If you look closely at the offers on specialized sites throughout all four seasons, you will notice an interesting trend. In spring, a lot of fresh offers appear on the market. This applies to both secondary housing and housing from developers. Their prices are higher than the average for the year, but the choice is much wider.

Summer is the optimal time to buy an apartment. Spring prices are lower and supply is still plentiful. Most potential buyers are on vacation, or even on vacation abroad. In the fall, due to the influx of buyers, good apartments sell quickly. But in November, on the eve of the winter lull, developers do not skimp on discounts and bonuses.

Complete turnkey apartment renovation

Everything is included The cost of repairs includes everything: work, materials, documents.
Without your participation After agreeing on the project, we only bother the owners when the repairs are completed.
The price is known in advance. The cost of repairs is fixed in the contract.
Fixed repair period Turnkey apartment renovation in 3.5 months. The term is fixed in the contract.

We buy apartments in the spring

This trend continues in March - the market “wakes up”, there are more and more transactions. There is one undoubted advantage in choosing housing in the spring. Let's say you plan to purchase an apartment on the top floor of a multi-story building. This means that mid-March-April is the most favorable time to check the strength of the roof. If there are problems with the roof, the owners will not be able to hide it from you: there are stains on the ceiling, the wallpaper is coming off due to dampness.

Later, in May, when dry weather sets in, apartment owners can simply eliminate traces of leakage and keep silent about the problem. After cosmetic repairs, you are unlikely to see defects.

Also in the spring, families with children begin to actively look for new property. This is usually the beginning of May: there is enough time to complete the deal by the beginning of the school year and get your children into a new school.