Ukrainians have changed their approach to buying apartments – real estate investments have become a “safety cushion”.

In the realities of the war, a new type of buyer has emerged in the real estate market: Ukrainians from the east are buying housing in western Ukraine and leaving the apartments empty, in the event it becomes dangerous in their hometown, they will be able to take their relatives to their new apartment in a safe region. According to analysts, such buyers do not plan to move immediately but are instead ready to invest significant funds in housing that may remain empty for months or years. This is fundamentally different from the traditional perception of real estate as a source of income or a place to live. This trend creates additional demand for housing in relatively safe regions, regardless of the real need for housing.

Meanwhile, the average cost of a square meter of housing in Ukraine as of June 23 is $890 in the primary market and $1,025 in the secondary market. In the primary market, the most expensive city is Lviv ($1,380), while in the secondary market, Kyiv is the leader ($1,550). The largest price increase in the secondary market was recorded in Uzhhorod (+16%) and Kharkiv (+11%), while in the primary market, the leaders in price increases were Odesa (+15%) and Lviv (+5%).