The difference between the average cost of sq. m. m and the real price has reached more than 31%

The difference between the average cost per square meter of secondary housing in Russia and the actual sale price reached a record 31.1%. This was reported to Izvestia on Sunday, April 6, by the federal company Floors.

"Against the background of high mortgage rates on market mortgages, demand has shifted towards apartments with the cheapest cost per square meter, which are often sold at a discount. Choosing between a renovated apartment with a smaller area and one that requires renovation but has a large square, Russians have again become more likely to choose the second option," said Alexander Ivanov, a leading analyst at the federal company Floors.

In March last year, the average cost per square meter on the secondary housing market in Russia, for which Russians put up their apartments for sale, was at the level of 122.5 thousand rubles, while the average price per square meter of apartments purchased was 26.9% lower — 96.5 thousand rubles. This year, the gap between the average supply price and the sale price has grown to a record 31.1%.

According to Ivanov, in March 2025, Russians purchased secondary housing with an average price per square meter of 98.7 thousand rubles, while the average cost per square meter for apartments for sale is at the level of 129.4 thousand rubles.

The expert noted that unlike the offer price, which has increased by 5.6% since March last year, the real sale price has increased by only 2.3%, and over the past two months it has decreased by 0.7%.

"The share of transactions without mortgages in the secondary market remains at 80%. Buyers with cash either sold their existing real estate and purchase a larger apartment, where the price per square meter is a priori cheaper, or they are those who invest their savings in real estate and in this case are looking for options with the maximum discount," the analyst explained.

According to him, given the low availability of market mortgages and limited demand, about half of the properties on the secondary market are overpriced, which does not meet the expectations of potential buyers.

"In the short term, the gap between the cost of supply and the real sale price for which Russians are willing to purchase housing will continue to grow," Ivanov summed up.

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Earlier, on January 9, Izvestia reviewed a study by the COLDY development company, which reported on current trends in the luxury real estate market in Moscow. According to experts, the number of new high-budget projects is increasing, prices have risen following strong demand, while buyers' preferences for internal infrastructure have shifted towards options for family holidays and education.