The ongoing war has significantly transformed various aspects of life in Ukraine, with the real estate market being no exception. Despite the challenges posed by active hostilities, economic instability, and demographic shifts, the resilience and adaptability of Ukrainian businesses are noteworthy. This overview, based on a survey conducted by the Ukraine Real Estate Club among members of the business community, outlines the primary issues, trends, and prospects within the real estate sector during wartime.

Cushman & Wakefield has summarised the situation in the Polish retail market. Over half a million square meters of new retail space came on stream last year, marking the highest new supply level in Poland since 2015. This robust development activity occurred amid rising demand from new retailers and improving consumer sentiment which boosted retail sales.

According to the latest report by Avison Young, after a challenging period of investment slowdown in 2023, the 2024 results signal a return to stability and a hint of optimism. Poland’s total transaction volume in 2024 more than doubled compared to 2023, reflecting a significant resurgence in market activity.

According to Savills Investment Research, the commercial property market in the Czech Republic is expected to start strongly in 2025, with investment volumes projected to reach approximately €900 million in the first two months alone. 

The Slovak real estate cadastre has been paralysed for the third day, reports SME.sk. While a short-term outage may not bring any significant restrictions, a long-term one can mean serious problems.

Which is better to meet ESG goals? Greenfield investments or conversion of existing buildings? Wise people say: it depends. Although a lot of top experts took part in a panel at the first CEE ESG Forum organised by Property Forum and Green Forum in Vienna last November, no clear answer emerged from the discussion.

Duna House published its estimates for December 2024, which show that 10,231 residential properties changed hands in Hungary and HUF 105 billion in contracted housing mortgage loans were realised. The 125,000 housing transactions estimated for the whole of last year represent an annual increase of 18%, while the more than HUF 1,300 billion in loans outstanding represent an annual increase of 123%.

As commercial real estate evolves to meet sustainability goals, rooftop solar systems are becoming a key solution for property owners and tenants alike. With the increasing demand for energy efficiency and the push toward decarbonization, rooftop solar solutions offer significant environmental, economic, and strategic benefits for the real estate sector. The new report "Harnessing Your Rooftop: A Guide to Photovoltaic Projects in Commercial Buildings in CEE", released by CBRE and CMS, provides an analysis of the opportunities and challenges associated with rooftop solar installations across the CEE region.

Amid technological advances, growing client demands, legal regulations and the need to urgently respond to economic developments, the commercial real estate market is increasingly being influenced by AI-based solutions. According to the latest report from BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland, sophisticated technological solutions are becoming - and will continue to be - key at all stages, from project planning and construction to tenant screening, property and energy management, and even investment.

The demand for industrial spaces in CEE is moderating after a record year, with vacancy rates having slightly increased but still at a healthy level. The shift in demand patterns has included larger deals and tenant diversification. Despite challenges, logistics is an attractive asset class with yields comparable to offices and retail, revealed the discussion at CEE Property Forum 2024 in Vienna, chaired by Martin Polák, Managing Director CEE at GARBE Industrial Real Estate.