Hungary-based Alfa Group is entering the dynamically growing private rental sector (PRS) and will deliver the second and third phases of its Ha11er residential project in District 9 of Budapest with apartments for rent. Residential-for-rent is an already well-established market segment in Western Europe that has attracted significant interest from institutional investors. This is increasingly true for certain CEE countries as well, such as Poland or the Czech Republic, but in Hungary, Alfa Group is entering the PRS market as one of its pioneers.

Rising construction costs and strong demand from investors are at play, of course, but the picture is a lot more complicated than that. Players of the dynamically growing private rental sector (PRS) discussed market trends at Living Investment Forum 2021, Property Forum's annual event in Warsaw. 

Real estate group Duna House has released its monthly Transaction Estimate and mortgage forecast, showing that there were 11,526 residential property transactions in Hungary in October 2021, down 2.4% over September, and also below the October prints of the previous years. This marks a downturn after a pickup in August and September, but the number of transactions is still expected to exceed 150,000 in 2021.

For the second successive quarter, developers have attempted to establish equilibrium between units sold and new units coming onto the market. Rising inflation continues to drive buyers to developers’ offices, with sales for the first three quarters of 2021 exceeding 2020’s annual total, says JLL. 

Property company Zacaria has kicked off the development of Valletta Park, a new residential project with 121 apartments in Sibiu. 

Resi Capital, PRS subsidiary of Cavatina Holding has bought an 11,590 sqm plot located on Tuwima Street in the New Center of Łódź area (Nowe Centrum Łodzi). JLL advised the vendor during this transaction.

Prices for new homes will grow as developers are facing higher construction costs and deal with surging inflation, mentioned speakers during the residential market panel of SEE Property Forum 2021, Property Forum's annual event in Bucharest.

Bayer Property has bought an 11,000 sqm plot for residential development in Budapest’s District 10 from the GEOS Group.

As part of the restructuring of the Avestus Real Estate business, a new residential development entity, SHD Real Estate (SHD) has been established. The new company will continue to work on residential opportunities with a remit to develop across all residential sectors, including residential for rent and student accommodation. SHD will be operated and managed by the original Avestus Real Estate residential team based in Prague and they will be investing in opportunities across the country. Avestus will continue to focus on its existing commercial development portfolio, the latest project under construction being the Infinity office complex in Wroclaw.

Kassák Passage, the second phase of LIVING’s Kassák project, has reached its highest point. The project features 262 units and is located close to the Váci út office corridor. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022.