Romania's banking sector has a relatively low exposure to the commercial real estate (CRE) market, indicating stability and significant growth potential, according to an analysis by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. 

Donald Trump has secured the necessary electoral votes to secure a second term, raising questions about how his presidency will influence real estate markets in Europe and CEE.

CEE economies would suffer under a potential Trump presidency, primarily due to anticipated new trade tariffs, according to new research by Erste Group. The trade conflicts would impact the region indirectly through its economic reliance on Germany, says the bank’s CEE research team.

SEE Property Forum 2024, Romania’s leading international real estate event, brought together top economic minds to debate the effects of the economic convergence process in the region and also the current and future economic outlook of CEE.

Hungary's construction sector showed a spectacular rebound in April, with output volumes up 11% on the previous month, completely making up for the feeble performance of the previous two months. The production figures in recent months for a sector in fundamentally poor shape are far from tragic, nor are the order books figures, but we are seeing such huge month-to-month fluctuations that it is very difficult to assess what is happening in the construction sector.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has reduced its main interest rate from 4% to 3.75%, following Canada's rate cut earlier in the week. ECB President Christine Lagarde announced that the outlook for inflation had significantly improved, which enabled the rate cut. However, she warned that inflation would likely stay above the 2% target, averaging 2.5% in 2024 and 2.2% in 2025. The ECB remains committed to keeping its policy restrictive to achieve the inflation target. This rate cut, though anticipated, is seen as a relief for consumers and businesses, aiming to stimulate economic activity by making borrowing cheaper.

In less than five months, the new building code for common buildings in the Czech Republic is going to enter into force. However, clouds are gathering around it. Builders are afraid of the shortcomings they have encountered recently when familiarizing themselves with the new requirements of the legislation, reports Seznamzpravy.cz.

As part of the so-called consolidation package, which has changed several dozen laws since January in the Czech Republic, the property tax is rising by an additional 80% starting this year, reports Seznamspravy.cz.

The Construction Act in Slovakia has been in force for half a century, and this year will probably not be its last either. The new Construction Act, or the Construction Act and Spatial Planning Act, was supposed to enter into force in Slovakia on 1st April 2024. The validity of part of the new legislation will be postponed, reports yimba.sk.

The reconstruction of the Masaryk railway station in Prague will be done for the Railway Administration (SŽ) for approximately CZK 3.39 billion (€138.5 million) by Strabag Rail and Strabag, which were successful in the tender. ČTK was informed about this by SŽ spokeswoman Nela Eberl Friebová. During the reconstruction, a platform will be built above the track, a better connection with Florence will be created and trains will be able to run on nine tracks instead of the current seven. SŽ also plans to reconstruct the Smíchov and Main Railway Stations in Prague, writes ČTK.