An expert explained the impact of economic instability on housing choices

Instability in the economy always affects consumer behavior, including in the real estate market. Olga Sokolova, partner of the analytical agency Digital Guru, told about it in a conversation with "Gazeta.Ru" on February 23.

"First, there is a growing demand for housing in more affordable segments. People prefer to postpone the purchase of expensive objects and consider more budget options, often reducing the requirements for area or location. The secondary market in such periods often wins over the primary market because of lower prices and the opportunity to move in faster", - said the expert.

The second trend, according to her, in such situations is the transition to renting real estate instead of buying. This helps not to "freeze" savings in real estate and maintain economic mobility.

"In addition, location preferences are changing. During the pandemic, for example, interest in suburban real estate increased, and now, against the background of economic risks, on the contrary, the demand for apartments in areas with developed infrastructure and transport accessibility is growing, as it reduces additional costs," - said the specialist.

Also now more and more people are looking for and selecting housing for themselves with the help of Internet sites and digital services. In the modern world, social networks also influence the formation of the real estate market.

"Thanks to analytics in social networks, we see that people are more actively discussing new housing formats - for example, coliving or service apartments, which allow you to save money and not be tied to one place. The general news backdrop increases residents' demands for security measures, especially in new buildings.
In general, economic instability makes the housing market more dynamic: trends are changing, demand for affordable and flexible solutions is growing, and digital tools help people better navigate the new realities," Sokolova commented on this trend.

Russians who this year are thinking about buying real estate, the expert advised "soberly assess their capabilities", analyze the available budget and choose how much money the buyer is willing to allocate given the current high mortgage rates. It is also necessary to carefully study the conditions for installments, which can offer developers.

"Do not focus on one, but consider several alternatives at once. In a high rate environment, it makes sense to look at renting or saving up for a more favorable purchase in the future. Monitor government programs regularly. New support initiatives and preferential mortgage lending programs that can make buying a home more affordable, appear regularly both at the state level and from the developers themselves," she advised.

The most reliable option would be to buy an object from a proven developer with a good reputation. You should also pay attention to the areas with developing infrastructure, because in them the potential for growth in the cost of purchased housing is higher.

"In the current economic situation it is important to make balanced decisions when buying real estate, taking into account the possible risks and prospects of market development," concluded Olga Sokolova.

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Apartment sales declined in all segments except premium

On the threshold of February 23, experts named popular housing for purchase among men. Thus, in new buildings of business class the most popular among men are one- and two-room apartments, which account for 52 and 30% of transactions respectively. At the same time, the demand for large areas is significantly lower than in premium neighborhoods: the share of three-room apartments is 17%. It is noted that the majority of buyers in this segment are also married (73%). Earlier, on January 9, "Izvestia" got acquainted with the study of the company "Airplane", which reported on the mandatory amenities of Russians when buying an apartment. According to experts, in the new year Muscovites want to buy apartments with walk-in closets (23%), built-in pantries (15%), additional outlets on the balcony (13%), a second bathroom (12%), a master bedroom (9%) and a niche for a washing machine (8%).