Property deals fall in Romania during January

This trend is also reflected in Bucharest, where the number of transactions decreased by almost 18%, reaching approximately 2,500. However, there are also notable exceptions. Constanța County recorded a 20% increase, with almost 600 transactions, ranking second nationally, followed by Ilfov with just under 500 transactions, down 7%.  

Suceava County is a surprise, climbing to fourth place nationally, with over 400 transactions and a remarkable 38% increase. In contrast, important counties such as Timiș, Brașov, and Iași recorded significant decreases of 43%, 31%, and 59%, respectively.  

“The general decline of the market in Romania in January is partly justified by the uncertainty in the political area, which began at the end of November and then continued in December with numerous uncertainties related to fiscal policies for 2025,” said Monica Dudău, Senior Marketing Manager at Storia & OLX Real Estate.  

Dudău added that, traditionally, January is characterized by a low number of real estate transactions, compared to the spring months. However, Storia estimates an upward trend in the real estate market in the coming months, based on the significant increase in demand on the platform.

Despite the decrease in the number of transactions, the number of active mortgages increased by almost 13% in January 2025, reaching almost 5,900. Bucharest recorded an 11% increase, with almost 1,900 active mortgages, while Timiș County climbed to second place with almost 700 transactions and a 58% increase. Constanța completes the podium with over 400 active mortgages and a 66% increase.  

Once again, Suceava stands out with a tripling of the number of active mortgages compared to January 2024, reaching 200.  

It is important to note that ANCPI data on active mortgages also includes refinancing mortgage loans, a popular option in recent years, as many Romanians have sought to benefit from a fixed interest rate period.  

The National Bank of Romania decided in January 2025 to maintain the monetary policy interest rate at 6.5%, anticipating a slight increase in inflation. This means that mortgage rates will have a stable outlook this year.