The Calm Before the Storm
Once the year and the euphoria experienced on this occasion came to an end, including also the expectations caused by the formation of the new government, we return to the real economy, respectively we will face the challenges generated by the economic crisis which shall make its presence felt every day more incisive
The Romanian National Bank’s reticence as regards the relaxation of the nominal interest and the minimum obligatory stocks represent a clear signal that in the confrontation between the financers and the real estate investors it continues the armistice which generates losses on both sides. As a consequence of this prolonged armistice, we assist to a quasi-cessation of the real estate transactions, the investors are waiting for funding commencing, the creditors for the price decreasing of the real estates to a level in accordance with the population’s purchasing power.
In this confrontation, I believe the first step shall be taken by the developers who, considering also the 30-40% prominent decrease of the prices of construction materials, have the biggest operating margin compared to the banks which take out very high interest credits and the money has a high value worldwide, at present.
Considering the decrease of prices with a 15-20% percentage noticed in the second half of 2008, and the dramatic decrease of the transactions, I reckon that, at least in the first semester of 2009, the real estate prices will keep on decreasing at least about the same percentage, this being a condition for the re-launching of the transactions and the funding recommencement.
This conflict will also generate victims, and these victims will be especially the non balanced funding developers with incipient construction projects.
There will be situations when projects of this kind will be purchased at 30-40% of their value, but only those easy of access, in good locations and with infrastructure; however, there will be also bankruptcy taking into consideration the fact that the real estate sector is the most affected by the worldwide economic crisis.
These collapses, although unpleasant, will have also a purgative effect removing the less competitive entrepreneurs from the market and bringing value to the real estate assets to a level in accordance with the economic and social development of Romania.
Adrian Crivii, FRICS, MAA
