Older buildings usually consume more energy in operation than new construction. That is not only a cost issue. It also affects how an asset performs against market standards like BREEAM, EU Taxonomy, and CRREM, as well as regulations such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the rules for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). Many owners assume the only way to close the gap is a major refurbishment. Better insulation and new equipment certainly help, but they are expensive and disruptive. Investments in deep fabric and equipment upgrades can reach one to five percent of the asset value.

CEE recorded a 38% increase in real estate investments in the first three quarters of 2025, reaching over €7 billion across six major markets, according to Colliers' latest report.

The Czech Republic's commercial real estate investment market is on track for one of its most successful years in history, with transactions worth €2.46 billion completed in the first nine months of 2025, Colliers reports.

NEPI Rockcastle delivered strong operational performance in the third quarter of 2025, with net operating income rising 12.3% year-on-year to €461.3 million for the first nine months. The retail real estate company maintained low vacancy rates at 1.6% and achieved collection rates of 99%.

The closing panel of SEE Property Forum 2025 in Bucharest, moderated by Victor Constantinescu from Kinstellar, brought together leading local players to assess sentiment, shifting asset preferences, and the practical steps investors must take to navigate the year ahead. The panellists examined where capital is moving, what risks remain most pressing, and how legal, geopolitical, and market dynamics will shape investment decisions across Romania and CEE.

Property Forum recently spoke with a prominent player in the Romanian property market, who asked to remain anonymous, about the systemic challenges facing development in the capital, which risks seeing billions of euros in new investments lost due to prolonged administrative blockages.

Property Forum is inviting its readers to select the winner of one of its CEE Property Forum Awards. Voting for the Tech Gamechanger of the Year category is now open and closes at 09:00 CET on 20 November (next Thursday).

Property Forum is partnering with the Ronald McDonald Foundation for an online charity auction aimed at supporting the Foundation's efforts to construct its third Ronald McDonald House in Poland, providing crucial support to families of seriously ill children. The auction will conclude at CEE Property Forum on 25 November. Our readers and visitors of CEE Property Forum can bid on items such as a football jersey signed by Robert Lewandowski, a painting by Polish artist Magdalena Lenartowicz or entry to an IRONMAN Poland 2026 race. 100% of the proceeds will support the Foundation's vital mission of "Keeping Families Close" by promoting family-centred care.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, revealing a slowdown in global demand growth for sustainable buildings and concerning lack of progress in carbon measurement across construction projects. The report, based on insight from more than 3,500 real estate and construction professionals across 36 countries, warns that momentum behind sustainable development risks stalling without stronger policy intervention and skills development.

At the SEE Property Forum 2025 in Bucharest, leading voices from Romania’s residential real estate sector came together to shed light on how developers, investors, and buyers are adapting to a period of economic uncertainty, rising construction costs, and shifting consumer priorities. From the growing appeal of build-to-rent and integrated communities to the urgent need for regulatory reform, the panel offered a forward-looking view of a market that is evolving rapidly yet remains defined by strong fundamentals and an enduring demand for quality homes.