Apartment in Polish. What do Poles buy today – not only the price matters

Prices have slowed down, but emotions are still high. Not so long ago, apartments were selling like hot cakes. Today, emotions have clearly subsided, but the movement is still significant. Data from the RynekPierwotny.pl website show that the number of inquiries about apartments in the first quarter of 2025 was more than 30 percent higher than in the previous quarter. higher than in the best month of the “Safe Credit 2.0” program. Although prices are still high, their dynamics is decreasing. Already the first quarters of 2025 saw a slowdown. In Warsaw, the average price of a square meter on the primary market is over PLN 18,000. PLN, in Krakow nearly 17 thousand, in Wrocław 15 thousand, and in smaller cities – between 8 and 12 thousand. zloty. Realistically, after taking into account inflation, prices have decreased slightly in recent months.

This is partly the result of the historically record-breaking housing offer on the primary market. In this situation, developers began to plan new projects more carefully: the number of housing starts decreased in the first eight months of this year. by 16 percent year to year, and the volume of building permits by one quarter.

Two rooms, three rooms – everyday compromises

The most frequently purchased apartments are 2-room apartments with an area of ​​40-50 sq m. This is the choice of singles and couples without children – flexible, allowing you to maintain financial liquidity. In turn, 3-room apartments remain the most popular among families with children. They provide more comfort, but unfortunately they are also more and more expensive.

Especially in major metropolises such as Warsaw, Wrocław or Kraków, prices of 2-room developer apartments often exceed the level available to the average borrower, which causes buyers to start considering peripheral districts or 3-room apartments in less prestigious locations. Hence the clearly increasing demand in satellite towns of the largest cities.

In turn, single-family houses or segments are nowadays bought mainly by those who are looking for a “breathe” and have a stable professional situation. More and more often, these are people who work remotely or hybridly and can afford to live far from the city center.

Singles and couples, the new kings of the market

Meanwhile, it is no longer investment buyers, whose number has halved compared to 2023, who rule the domestic housing industry. Now it is them – young, mobile, often earning well, but still building their wealth – who are dealing the cards today. Their decisions are flexible and location is less important than a few years ago.

“A big change is visible: young buyers do not stick to one district. They look for places where quality and price go hand in hand. Open communication and transparency of offers are more important to them than square footage,” says Marek Wielgo, an expert at the RynekPierwotny portal. pl. Today, good communication, modern design and a stable developer are crucial for singles and couples. They are the ones who generate the largest number of inquiries on advertising portals today.

Families with children: between the need for space and economic calculations

Families are looking primarily for space, security and peace. They want to have a good school nearby, a playground, a bicycle path and greenery. For families with children, a 3-room apartment is a natural choice. But in this segment, the market tends to be less liquid in the current conditions. High prices per square meter or limited supply of 3-room projects (especially in good locations) encourage compromises: buying a smaller apartment with a change plan or looking for houses closer to the outskirts.

That is why as many as 89 percent demand in the largest cities is today concentrated in intermediate districts and on the outskirts. Developers are increasingly designing low-rise buildings with an intimate character that combine the comfort of living and the charm of a home.

What’s included? not only the square footage

Just a few years ago, buyers were mainly guided by the price per square meter. Today, elements such as the energy efficiency of the building, environmental certificates, the quality of common areas and the social character of the estate are becoming more and more important. New housing projects increasingly resemble small towns – with their own shop, cafe or fitness zone.

“Buyers pay attention not only to the walls, but to the entire surroundings. Energy standards, access to greenery and the quality of service are important,” says Jan Dziekoński, Head of Market Insights in the Research Department of the RynekPierwotny.pl portal.

New formats: from micro-apartments to institutional rentals

An interesting phenomenon is the so-called micro-apartments – premises with an area of ​​20-30 sq m, often with full equipment and common areas. They are created with singles, students and young professionals in mind. In turn, the PRS segment, i.e. apartments built for institutional rental, is growing more and more dynamically. JLL experts estimate that it may change the market structure within a few years.

What are Poles willing to spend the most on?

More and more people prefer to pay more for a better standard of finishing, a larger balcony or garden, a housing estate with full infrastructure and energy-saving solutions. The rising cost of living meant that buyers began to calculate not only the cost of purchasing but also maintaining an apartment. That’s why developers invest in heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and heat recovery.

Experts: “the market is maturing – this is good news”

According to analysts of the RynekPierwotny portal. pl 2025 brings market maturity. “Buyers have become more aware. They are no longer looking for any apartment, they are looking for one that suits their lifestyle,” emphasizes Marek Wielgo.

In the multitude of offers, the winners will be those developers who can talk to various customer groups – from singles, through couples, to families and investors.

Apartment as a lifestyle

The real estate market in 2025 shows that your own home is no longer just an investment, but also a lifestyle manifesto. For some, what matters is space and silence, for others, access to culture and city attractions. Regardless of the motivation, Poles buy more consciously today. They don’t chase meters, but meaning. Because an apartment is no longer just an address – it has become part of everyday identity.

Author: Jarosław Jędrzyński, expert of the website rybprzeotny.pl