The National Bank of Romania (NBR) reintroduced limits for the maximum indebtedness levels for individuals or families seeking out consumer or mortgage loans. These debt service-to-income (DSTI) ratios will become 40% for RON loans and 20% for hard currency starting in 2019. As per Colliers International Romania’s estimates, for the residential market, the impact in terms of prices will be uneven, geared more towards the low and medium-low segments of the residential market.

Belgian real estate developer Didier Balcaen is investing €15 million in a residential project called Triama Residence in the National Arena neighbourhood of Bucharest, profit.ro reports.

Echo Investment has signed preliminary sales agreements with Resi4Rent for four projects under development in Warsaw, Wrocław and Łódź for a combined price of €78.6 million (PLN 338.7 million). The four projects - Browary Warszawskie in Warsaw, Wodna in Łódź, Rychtalska and Kępa in Wrocław – will comprise 1,200 apartments altogether.

Fosta Fabrica, the restoration and conversion project of the former Grivita brewery in Bucharest, received all necessary permits and it is expected to be completed in 2020 by Lithuanian developer Hanner Group.

Chapman Taylor’s design for a mixed-use community in Budapest has been unveiled. The urban regeneration masterplan would transform a derelict former slaughterhouse complex into a dynamic residential and office district with complementary retail and leisure provision and two underground levels of parking.

AFI Europe Romania broke ground this month on AFI City, the first large-scale residential project to be developed by the company in Romania. TGC was assigned as the general contractor for the first phase of the project.

Prime Kapital, a property developer established by four former top executives of NEPI, will be developing its first residential project in Romania, called Avalon Estate. The 800-unit project, located in northern Bucharest is due for completion in 2024, zf.ro reports.

Echo Investment is launching a joint venture with a company controlled by an unnamed investor. Resi4Rent is the first fully integrated investor, operator and asset manager for purpose-built residential communities in Poland. With more than 1,200 apartments under construction and another 1,700 apartments ready for construction in the next 12 months, Resi4Rent will be the largest residential for rent platform in Poland. The first tenants will be able to move in during the fourth quarter of 2019.

Hagag Development Europe has recently launched an IPO on the Tel Aviv stock exchange covering its projects to be developed in Romania. The IPO’s value is €15 million. The Israeli developer is planning a series of further acquisitions targeting landmark buildings and land plots in Bucharest.

Zeitgeist Asset Management, a company specializing in property development and asset management services for private and institutional investors, has expanded its portfolio by the acquisition of a new property for a German pension fund, administered by Institutional Investment Partners. The residential project is located in downtown Budapest.