According to the latest real estate market reports*, the price increase of pre-owned homes in brick buildings is above 10 percent in all districts of Budapest, compared to property sales prices in the first half of last year. 

After five years of massive growth in the residential property market, it reaches a psychological limit of 1 million forints per square meter of more and more downtown apartments.

According to the "Global Residential Cities Index - Q3 2018." report by Knight Frank, Budapest shows the highest 12-month residential property price growth in Europe.

According to the report released by the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), the Hungarian housing market continued to intensify in the first half of 2018, which in addition to the dynamic rise in the apartment prices, was reflected in the increase in the sales volume.

According to the summer announcement, the government does not intend to extend the validity period of the 5% VAT on new residential properties which is in effect until December 31, 2019.

In Budapest there are currently 20 000 apartments being built or planned to be built.

Over the last 3-5 years, the Hungarian real estate market has gone through tremendous changes. In 2013, there was a slow downturn in the pre-owned home market, followed by an accelerating rise in prices. This rise was moderated in 2017, but the real estate prices are still increasing.

Modern mobile homes and container houses are getting more and more widespread. This video shows that they can also be no-compromise, high-end, smart homes.  

Panoramic views can always make a property extraordinary, but this little gem in downtown Budapest is a real rarity - the carefully designed and crafted interior perfectly matches the incredible views this apartment has.    

With the new academic year starting in September, this month is certainly the season to see and expect the apartment rental market boom in Budapest.    

A new proposal for the year 2018 would lift the 14% tax on rental income. 

The national average in 2016 on the value increase of residential properties in Hungary was 15,4%, according to a report by the Hungarian National Bank.   

At the end of 2015, the Hungarian government decided to allocate money towards a new subsidy purchase program for young families with children. The minister has set a budget of HUF 40 billion but has said that this could be increase if the demand is high enough. It is important to note that over 80% of the Hungarian population are in favor of this government action. The minister has said that the government is willing to help several hundred thousand families.

While Budapest, the capital of Hungary, may not be the first city that tourists heading to Europe put on their itineraries, it's becoming a new magnet for global real estate investors. Budapest is not as saturated with buyers and sellers as cities that are more on the beaten track. That's only part of its appeal, however. The "Pearl of the Danube" is a world class location with assets that outshine more high profile markets. The advantages to buying property there may never be as ideal.

A new wave of foreign property investors has descended on Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. According to a study recently released by estate agency Otthon Centrum, the first half of 2015 saw an astonishing increase of property transactions in the city. In fact, the total figure was ultimately revealed to be 40 percent higher than the final figure that was reported for the previous year. In a word, the property market for foreign investors in Budapest is booming at a rate that was frankly inconceivable even a few short years ago.

Most certainly the biggest news this week in real estate was Hungarian Parliament passing the bill to reduce the currently 27% VAT on construction on new residential properties to 5% from 1^st January, 2016. 

As the number of tourists arriving in Hungary hits record highs and online rental websites become increasingly popular, a columnist calls for stricter tax inspection and better regulation of the privately rented appartments.