Real estate expert in the Republic of Moldova: High demand, but few affordable offers
In the Republic of Moldova, there is a shortage of new real estate listings. As a result, the existing properties on the market are experiencing price increases. Real estate expert Eugen Țurcan explains that while demand is very high, there are few affordable options available.
There is currently a significant dissonance in the real estate market. Buyers want to purchase properties at lower prices, while sellers, noticing a lack of competition, are raising their prices. This disconnect results in fewer transactions. The market slows down when there are many properties available, but few buyers. This situation can lead to market collapse or stagnation. At present, people are searching for apartments but are faced with limited options, according to a specialist on the "Banii" show on Moldova 1.
Moreover, over half of the apartments bought in the country are financed through mortgage loans. The expert stressed that purchasing a property through bank lending provides more security.
"The bank conducts thorough checks on the apartment when it is used as collateral. Many buyers have no choice but to finance their apartments with a mortgage loan. Yes, it’s true that some people feel they end up paying two or even three times the apartment’s cost over a long period. However, in practice, it is often better to pay a mortgage than to pay rent. For young families, buying an apartment through a mortgage is more financially feasible," stated Eugen Țurcan, president and founder of the Association of Real Estate Agents of the Republic of Moldova.
With limited supply and high demand, buyers cannot afford to pay inflated prices for apartments, according to the expert.
Several residents of the capital expressed that their salaries prevent them from buying a home at this time:
"The prices are truly excessive, and purchasing is complicated. Even in Spain, housing is cheaper along the seaside. The prices have surged, and so have construction material costs and workers' salaries. This is why apartments have also become more expensive."
"It’s very costly, and not everyone can afford that. For our salaries, it feels unrealistic. How can anyone pay off a loan afterwards? If salaries were 30,000 lei, it might be worth considering, but with salaries at 10, 8, 6, or even 5 thousand lei – it’s simply not affordable."
"Prices have increased significantly, especially in the last six months. I attribute this to the war in Ukraine; many people are seeking refuge here and investing in apartments, even for rental purposes. As a result, prices are climbing everywhere."
"Every young family aspires to own an apartment, especially since rents have also escalated. Currently, prices on the market, even for older buildings, start at 90,000 euros. I don’t believe they will decrease; they are likely to continue rising. Salaries remain stagnant, while prices keep increasing."
"We have looked into it and do not agree with the current prices; they are very high. It’s cheaper on the outskirts. I hope to see prices drop, but as it stands, they keep rising. Our prices are now comparable to European levels, yet there’s a significant disparity between the salaries of Europeans and Moldovans."
Last year, the average sale price of apartments in Chișinău reached a historic high of 1,720 euros per square meter, despite a 60% decrease in real estate sales in the capital compared to 2024. Additionally, the number of mortgage loans taken out from banks has reached a new record, totalling 8,300 in 2025, with a minimum of 2,000 loans granted each quarter.
