Buy now or wait for a miracle - what will happen to apartment prices in 2027

Until the end of 2026 there are a little more than two months left, and before Petersburgers planning to buy an apartment, the question arises: to conclude a deal now or wait for next year in the hope of lower prices. In the real estate market, discounts are possible, but you should not count on a serious cheapening of housing.

MK in St. Petersburg spoke with the founder of the Lyubimova Real Estate Agency, real estate expert and investor Sofia Lyubimova, who explained when buying an apartment before the New Year can be profitable and why waiting for lower prices is not always justified.

According to the expert, a significant drop in the value of real estate in St. Petersburg in 2027 should not be expected. The demand for apartments in the Northern capital is supported not only by local residents, but also by buyers from other regions. A slight price correction is possible, especially in the secondary market.

Especially profitable offers can appear from owners interested in a quick sale. Such sellers are already ready to discuss discounts, so the buyer can sometimes save more in negotiations than in anticipation of a general decrease in prices.

“Sometimes it is more profitable to immediately get a good discount on a particular housing than just sit and wait for the whole market to fall in price,” said Lyubimova.

In the primary market, the situation is different. Developers are limited by the cost of construction, credit load and other costs, so it is more difficult to significantly reduce the cost per square meter. Instead, developers can offer buyers special terms, including installments, subsidized mortgage rates, discounts and additional bonuses.

The expert stressed that the decision to buy depends largely on the method of payment. For buyers who have the full amount, the end of the year can be a good period for a deal. Owners tend to sell property faster, and developers – to fulfill annual sales plans.

Those who are going to buy housing in a mortgage at a market rate, the specialist recommends first of all to assess the financial burden. It is important to calculate not only the monthly payment, but also the total overpayment of the loan.

“To buy housing at the limit of financial capabilities only for fear of further price growth is definitely not worth it,” warned Lyubimova.

At the same time, lower mortgage rates in the future do not mean that apartments will become more affordable. On the contrary, cheaper loans can attract new buyers to the market, increase demand and push the value of real estate up.

According to the expert, one should focus not so much on forecasts as on the terms of a particular transaction. If the apartment meets the needs of the buyer, the price is profitable, and the mortgage payment does not create an excessive burden on the budget, it is not necessary to postpone the acquisition solely for the sake of waiting for 2027.

Thus, the end of 2026 can be a good time to buy a house in St. Petersburg, especially if you have your own funds and the opportunity to negotiate a discount. However, there is no universal solution: financial opportunities and terms of acquisition remain more important than trying to guess the minimum price in the market.