While house prices in Budapest rose 14.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2019, they fell 2.0% in nominal terms on a quarterly basis, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) reported. The central bank has not recorded a q-o-q drop in house prices since Q4 2013.

Is the lockdown completely rewriting CEE's risk map? How does COVID-19 affect real estate financing? How can I close an ongoing transaction without travelling? These and similar questions were discussed by the experts at Property Forum’s latest online investment panel.

Romanian developer One United Properties has completed the structure of its One Herăstrău Towers mixed-use project, which will include 139 residential units, in addition to offices and commercial space on 5,055 sqm. The project is 85% pre-contracted ahead its completion planned before the end of the year.

Interest in investments in the private student housing sector in Poland is constantly growing. Investors see this market as highly absorptive, which currently satisfies less than 10% of the demand for student accommodation. Significant advantages include forecasts concerning the constantly growing number of foreign students in Poland and attractive rates of return on investment, according to a new report prepared by ThinkCo in cooperation with Golub GetHouse.

Property Forum’s series of virtual events, organised in partnership with the RICS, continues with an online panel discussion focused on residential asset classes such as student housing and build-to-rent. Our diverse group of panellists will answer all the burning questions that may arise in this unprecedented situation.

Cordia International raised its stake in Polnord S.A. to 92.92% in a tender offer. Following the transaction, the shareholders elected a new supervisory board with representatives from Cordia.

Opus Land Development, the developer of the Cosmopolis residential complex, completed the acquisition of a 15.6 ha piece of land located in the immediate vicinity of the project. Last year the developer purchased a 10 ha lot in the area.

For residential developments executed in brownfield zones a VAT rate of 5% will apply instead of the normal 27%, the Minister of the Prime Minister's Office announced today.

Echo Investment is introducing a new service for potential home buyers, Aurelia – a virtual customer assistant.

International investor Aurec Capital has expanded its portfolio in the private rented sector (PRS) in Poland. The transaction of the Puławska 186 project completed between Aurec Capital Poland and Matexi Polska is worth over €22 million (PLN 100 million). JLL advised the investor on the purchase of the property.