Affluent residents of Kyiv, going into self-isolation, prefer to rent affordable and luxurious country houses.
LIGA.net conducted a survey to find out what is happening on the countryside real estate rental market, what prices are offered now and when we can expect a return to pre-pandemic levels.
Boom for country houses
Where is it better to quarantine? Many residents of Kiev decided that it is best to do it in a house with its own plot.
«The boom in renting country houses began in March, and now there is simply a deficit on the market. Now they are selling everything from Soviet dachas to premium-class houses,» says Anatoly Topal, vice-president of the Association of Professional Real Estate Managers.
Owners of countryside real estate are lucky — now the market has two factors: seasonal demand for country houses and the desire of Kiev citizens to be alone with their families in the country during the quarantine period, says the director of consulting company City Development Solutions, Roman Gerasimchuk.
The houses located 35-50 km away from Kiev are in the highest demand. Especially popular are Konche-Zaspa, Kozin, Pluty, Ukrainka and dachas in Puscha-Voditsa, as well as in villages where former children's camps and recreation centers were located, such as Letki, Zazimye in Brovarsky district.
Prices for rent of country houses have increased by 15-25% on average, says Elena Malenkova, General Director of KDU-realty group of companies.
The rental cost varies depending on the size of the house:
A house of 100-200 sq. m. — On average $960 per month (25,400 UAH).
House with area from 200 to 400 square meters. — $2500 per month (66,000 UAH).
House with an area of more than 400 sq.m. — $4950 per month (131,190 UAH).
Renters approach the choice of a house scrupulously, paying attention to the arrangement of the yard, the presence of water and forests nearby. Despite the shortage of elite housing, Kyiv residents are not ready to overpay for unpopular location or poor quality.
unpopular location or low quality of housing, says Elena Malenkova from KDU-realty group.
However, not all elite houses are in demand. Some objects, whose prices have doubled, do not attract tenants. «We rented a house in Sofievskaya Borschagovka — 1500 sq. m. for $10 000, but there are no offers above $5000», — says the expert.
Economy options for the summer
For those who want to save money, smaller dacha houses are available — from 50 to 100 square meters, which are located 30-50 km from Kiev. According to the press service of OLX ads service, last year such a house could be rented for 5500 UAH per month, but now the price will be about 8000 UAH.
Houses located at a distance of 50 km from the capital, cost from 6500 UAH per month. For this amount you can rent a small 2-3 room house on a plot of land up to 10 hectares with the minimum necessary furniture, appliances and repair.
There are also economical options — houses up to 50 square meters. In the radius of 16-30 km from Kiev they will cost from 5500 UAH per month, and at a distance of 31-50 km — about 4200 UAH per month. For this price you can rent a house with the minimum necessary equipment and furniture, although its condition and repair may leave much to be desired.
Price forecast
There is a high demand for renting country houses during the second quarter of 2020, after which a slight decrease in demand can be expected. Gerasimchuk believes that prices will return to pre-pandemic levels.
Sergey Kostetsky, an analyst at SV Development consulting company, suggests that a surge in demand for suburban real estate will be noticeable in the next few months. After the quarantine restrictions are lifted, real estate agencies will become more active, which will lead to higher prices for a short period, perhaps two weeks. However, the market will then return to its normal state.
So, renting a house for the summer near Kiev has become a fashionable and popular decision among the residents of the capital. Prices for renting country houses vary depending on their area, location and condition. It is necessary to consider the needs and budget to choose the most suitable option for a comfortable vacation and no need to overpay for unnecessary additional services.