The Value of Properties – First House
The government decision to encourage the purchase of a first house is a good one, likely to activate the real estate market and save some of the developers who will feel this opportunity and will treat it appropriately. Unfortunately, if you take into account the proportion and the relatively narrow segment to whom it is addressed, the program will have a low economic effect, although it will boost a little the residential market.
Given that the economic situation continues to regress, we cannot consider that this measure will have as an effect an increase in the residential property value. The shy demand encouragement will not have the same effects as those of previous years (the decrease of interest rates, the increase of the term loan), because in the past the encouragement of demand was complemented by an upward economic trend, and accelerated revenue growth. Now, because of the economic situation with stagnant wages and explosive growth in unemployment the solvent demand is reduced and fragile.
It should be also noted that the negative evolution of the economy can not lead to price increases and who expects something like this must consider this scenario only desirable, in an uncertain future, after the economic recovery and very unlikely at the level before.
I’d like to make some assessments regarding the values which will be anchored in this specific context. The return of residential property market with “the feet on the ground”, because of the crisis, will make the prices of apartments to reach 500-1.000 euro / sqm, depending on location, prices accessible and consistent with the market segment represented by most Romanians. If you take into account that in Romania the number of owners is very high (about 80% of Romanians have at least one property), I think the price above is realistic.
From now on, developers’ offer (most are in financial difficulty) will press on those who sell old apartments as well, forcing them to adapt to the solvent demand of the moment.
Other issues should be also taken into consideration – one is the total collateral of the state with the guarantee fund, which makes banks obtain an easy profit with minimum risk of this new product. Another aspect is the difference between the First House clients and other customers in the system who, meeting the criteria of First Home Mortgage, took recent mortgage loans at a significant higher cost.
Soon I will treat the subject of valuation at “First House” Program.
Dr. ec. Adrian Crivii, MAA, FRICS
