Investments in the retail sector will continue in 2025 on the local market, while housing prices could increase in the coming period, according to Colliers Romania forecasting.
In the retail segment, over 200,000 sqm of modern retail space are scheduled for delivery this year, a significant increase compared to the approximately 160,000 sqm completed in 2024, according to preliminary figures.
Looking ahead, Colliers consultants anticipate an acceleration of large-scale projects, and 2027-2028 could bring significant deliveries, including several large malls.
In the industrial and logistics area, a slight tempering of rental demand is expected, with a decline from the record levels reached in the post-pandemic period.
However, demand should remain above the values recorded in the 2017-2019 period, while rents are expected to remain largely stable.
In the office segment, new rental demand could remain at low levels, comparable to previous years or even reach new lows in an adverse economic scenario, far from the records of the 2017-2019 period.
The recovery of real estate investments continues in a complex context, estimate Colliers consultants. Forecasts for real estate asset transactions in 2025 are marked by uncertainties.
On the one hand, the European real estate sector could benefit from a recovery, supported by reaching a possible peak in yields in 2024 and, in the case of Romania, there is also a favourable boost after a fairly successful 2024 in terms of transactional activity.
On the other hand, low economic growth in Europe, including Romania, internal risks, and an uncertain external context complicate the outlook.
Colliers consultants estimate that housing prices could increase in the coming period, but their evolution depends on several factors. If a negative economic scenario materializes into a significant deterioration of the labor market, a sharp increase in unemployment could have a major impact, leading to a drop in housing prices and a collapse in sales.
On the other hand, current prices are not as disconnected from reality as they were in the 2007-2008 period, which reduces the risk of a major correction. If economic activity is positive, even with a more modest advance, the outlook in the residential area remains positive.
Moreover, Colliers experts anticipate more interest from property players regarding the implementation of PRS schemes, which could become increasingly popular in the near future.
