Real estate commentator Viktoriia Bereshchak described changes on the Kyiv and suburban property market. Buyers increasingly value an apartment’s layout and the readiness of local infrastructure, not just the dwelling’s size.
The concept of “comfort class” is losing relevance
The traditional division into economy, comfort and business classes is no longer decisive when choosing housing: buyers focus on the specific characteristics of a complex and its liquidity. One format that meets demand is mixed‑use developments following the Live Work Play principle, with shops, cafés and other infrastructure on site.
In courtyard and communal spaces, saving space is combined with recreational areas, places to relax and carefully planned zoning for different resident groups: families with children, dog owners and those who do sports. An apartment should have at least six to seven functional zones — a private bedroom, a social area, a workplace, storage space and bathrooms, sometimes a walk‑in wardrobe.
The «єОселя» programme: volumes and limitations
Under the «єОселя» programme you can expect roughly 300 loans per month; about 85% of these loans are on the secondary market and roughly 15% on the primary market. Not all residential complexes participate in the programme because banks do not always accredit developers after checking their activities.
New‑build housing requires significant additional costs, and banks assess a borrower’s ability to repay and may demand a down payment of up to 30%, whereas a contribution at the level of 10−15% would be more accessible. Expanding the programme’s opportunities requires stable funding; among other limitations the expert named bureaucratic requirements regarding floor area, actual household incomes and construction delays of up to 24 months.
Renovation costs and choosing the apartment size
Previously renovation was estimated at roughly a third of an apartment’s price; now even a budget finish including furniture and appliances can amount to at least 70% of the property’s price. This applies to a turnkey fit‑out using moderately‑quality materials without expensive imported solutions.
Due to high costs, a shortage of specialists and long queues for work, buyers on a limited budget increasingly opt for well‑thought‑out compact two‑room flats instead of a large apartment with an awkward layout. Such a compact flat can be more liquid when reselling.
Five things to check before buying
The expert named five main criteria for evaluating housing when buying: whether the complex matches its declared class, integration into the neighbourhood, whether the apartment meets the buyer’s needs, adherence to construction deadlines and the presence of permit documents. The label “comfort class” alone does not guarantee quality.
- Check whether the complex’s contents match the declared class: building materials, infrastructure, landscaping.
- Assess the complex’s integration into the neighbourhood: transport, social infrastructure, shops.
- Clarify whether the apartment meets the buyer’s needs and how much its finishing and re‑planning will cost.
- Check whether the developer meets construction deadlines and has not changed the project’s characteristics during implementation.
- Check the permit documents and legal aspects of the project, involving a professional lawyer if necessary.
Before buying, it is also worth assessing whether the property will be in demand in five years, since owners’ needs may change and resale might be required.
For more on market changes, comfort class and choosing an apartment watch the video on the Finance.ua YouTube channel.
