Meeting the growing demand for new homes in a booming market
Experts unanimously predict dynamic growth in the new home market of Hungary this year, with recent data indicating that the trend began in late 2024. In Budapest, property sales in Q4 nearly matched the total for the entire year of 2023. Cordia, Hungary’s leading residential property developer, will expand its offerings by over 1,000 apartments, covering nearly 120,000 sqm and providing a diverse portfolio with exceptional real estate investment opportunities.
Experts forecast significant growth in Hungary’s new home market in 2025, with signs of increased demand starting in late 2024. In Budapest, 2,600 new apartments were sold in Q4 2024, nearly matching the total sales for 2023 and the highest since 2018. This surge led to a drop in supply to just 6,000 new homes by year-end, barely enough to meet demand for the next year if no new developments are launched. Overall, 7,300 newly-built apartments were sold in Budapest last year, approaching the dynamic levels of 2016–2018.
Rapid development in full swing
To adapt to market trends, Cordia, Hungary’s leading residential developer, is launching sales for multiple projects in Q1 2025. The company plans to add over 1,000 apartments this year, with three-quarters of this supply hitting the market in the first quarter alone. This expansion will increase the availability of new homes in Budapest by 20% compared to the end-of-year stock.
Cordia’s diverse portfolio ranges from city-centre studio apartments perfect for investment and rentals to green-belt family homes and luxury penthouses with panoramic views. Nearly one-third of the new units will be part of the Marina City development, a 14-hectare, car-free riverside area along the Danube. Sales for the third phase are expected this year, with the fourth phase in the second half. The Marina City district has been especially popular, with demand surpassing the city average—14% of Budapest’s new apartment sales occurred here in Q4 2024.
Marina City
Additionally, Cordia is advancing the development of Sasad Resort, one of Buda’s top residential parks, and the long-awaited fifth phase of Thermal Zugló in District 14. The company is also offering energy-efficient, value-retaining homes in the Millennium Quarter of District 9, with the second phase of the Woodland project now underway.
Sasad Resort
Thermal Zugló
Thermal Zugló
Prime investment opportunity
Developers often offer the best prices at the start of a project, making this an ideal time to invest. With a conservative 5% annual appreciation, the value of an apartment could rise by nearly 16% over the typical three-year construction period. For instance, an apartment valued at HUF 100,000,000 (ca. EUR 245,000) with an initial investment of HUF 20,000,000 (ca. EUR 49,000) could increase to HUF 116,000,000 (ca. EUR 284,000), yielding a gross profit of HUF 16,000,000 (ca. EUR 39,000). Investors can then sell or rent the property, benefiting from further price growth.
What’s more, Cordia also offers a unique 10/90 financing structure for many apartments starting in February. This structure allows buyers to secure a home with just 10% of the purchase price and pay the remaining 90% upon completion, potentially leading to higher returns.
Last year, price increases exceeded the 5% example: in Buda, the average gross price per square metre (excluding luxury projects) rose by 13% to HUF 1,930,000 (ca. EUR 4,700), while in Pest, it increased by 9% to HUF 1,580,000 (ca. EUR 3,870).
Rental yields over market average
Newly built apartments command higher rental prices than older properties. For example, Cordia’s studio apartments on Corvin Promenade rent an average of HUF 270,000 (ca. EUR 662) per month, one-bedroom apartments for HUF 330,000 (ca. EUR 809), and two-bedroom apartments for around HUF 500,000 (ca. EUR 1,225)—25% higher than older properties in the same area.
