Price has emerged as the kingmaker for Romanian homebuyers in 2026, steering most toward affordable options like older properties or suburban deals, according to an Imobiliare.ro survey. About 32% of respondents aim to snag a house this year, edging out two-room apartments at 30%, with three-room units third at 19%.
Nearly six in ten prospective buyers zero in on listings at €120,000 or less, and for 80%, the total outlay trumps a property’s age. Fewer than 20% stretch to €120,001–170,000, 10% to €170,001–200,000, and 15% chase pricier pads.
Old homes dominate: 44% hunt pre-owned
Pre-owned properties top the wish list for 44% of active Imobiliare.ro searchers. New builds still draw interest, but selectively: 37% want owner-sold units, 15% 2025 completions. Developers face a squeeze: buyers balk at premiums amid tight budgets.
The shift signals affordability fatigue after years of price hikes outpacing wages. Suburban and older stock gain as city centres price out first-timers, reshaping Romania’s residential map toward value over glamour.
Around 25% anticipate needing 3–6 months to find the perfect match, 21% reckon 1–3 months, and just 10% expect under a month. Taxes add friction: 33% say 2025 duties delayed their plans, with four in ten factoring property tax into choices.
