Hungarian housing market shift: panel sales slow and demand moves to family homes

A Duna House analysis shows that sales of panel apartments in Budapest have markedly slowed, with the average time on market rising from 46 days a year ago to 81 days now. The slowdown is consistent across the capital, while panel sales in the countryside have accelerated, shortening selling times in eastern and western regions. At the same time, used brick‑built apartments are selling faster in most regions, especially in central Budapest where the average selling period fell from 92 to 79 days.

Buyers are turning away from small, investment‑oriented panels toward larger family houses and properties near water. The Otthon Start programme has brought first‑time owners to the market, leading to price reductions of about 3‑4% and additional negotiated discounts of up to 8% in some areas. Negotiations are becoming more common, and the overall demand balance is shifting toward homes that meet long‑term housing needs rather than speculative purchases.