Barnaul Real Estate Trends and Price Changes in 2026
Experts in the real estate sector of Altai Krai predict substantial transformations in 2026. Key trends are already emerging that will shape the market. One of the main questions on many people«s minds is how these changes will affect the cost of new builds and secondary housing. NGS22.RU, together with realtors, analyzed the situation.
Innovations of the Year
Larisa Mamaeva, a realtor and investment broker from Barnaul, highlights several key trends that will shape the real estate market in 2026.
«The market is currently in some uncertainty. On one hand, bank deposit rates are falling, and on the other, some regions are already seeing an increase in the number of registered transactions. This puts buyers in a dilemma: should they purchase housing now or wait? Looking ahead to 2026, I see five main changes that are already influencing decisions,» noted Mamaeva.
According to her, the main innovation is the tightening of conditions for family mortgages.
«Now both spouses, regardless of whether they are officially married or cohabiting, will have to act as co-borrowers on the loan. This will lead to a decrease in the number of approved mortgage applications, which in turn will reduce the flow of buyers for developers. The natural reaction of developers to potential losses will be to raise apartment prices,» clarifies Mamaeva.
In addition, the introduction of floating interest rates is expected, depending on the number of children in the family: 4% for families with three or more children, 6% for families with two children, and around 12% for families with one child.
«The frenzy observed at the end of 2025 has already led to a sharp increase in prices from developers. If you are considering buying a home, start calculating your options now, as tomorrow the conditions and prices may change,» advises the realtor.
Another important change will be the possibility to refinance the «market» part of the family mortgage.
«Until now, if the cost of an apartment exceeded the limit of the preferential mortgage, the remaining part was financed at the market rate, and it could not be refinanced separately without losing the benefit. From February 2026, this restriction will be lifted. This could revitalize the market, as families who bought apartments exceeding the limit will be able to sell them more easily to improve housing conditions. It is expected that this will lead to an increase in supply on the secondary housing market,» specified the broker.
According to the Barnaul realtor, one of the key changes in 2026 will be the tightening of the Central Bank«s policy regarding installment plans from developers.
«The Central Bank is systematically tightening the screws. In April, a law comes into effect that will affect intermediary services. Although for the real estate market this is just »the tip of the iceberg«, it is already a harbinger of more serious changes. But the main thing is ahead; a bill is being prepared that will directly affect installment plans from developers. This means that buying a home on installment will become significantly more difficult. The only alternative remains a mortgage,» explains the expert.
Another important trend for 2026, according to the broker, is tax benefits for large families.
«From the new year, families raising three or more children will be fully exempt from personal income tax (PIT) when selling their home to buy a new, more spacious one. Simply put, for such families, it will become financially more beneficial to exchange, for example, a two-room apartment for a three-room one. This, in turn, could lead to a small but noticeable increase in offers on the secondary market,» says the specialist.
«The cherry on top will be a 2% increase in value-added tax (VAT). This will directly affect construction costs. According to the expert, developers will inevitably pass on the increased costs to prices, making the rise in new build costs in 2026 almost inevitable.
«There is a clear trend: legislation is creating pressure on price growth in new builds through the complication of mortgages and the increase in VAT, and simultaneously stimulating supply on the secondary market through refinancing and benefits for large families. This means that if you are considering new builds, there is still time for decisions, but it is rapidly shrinking. As for the secondary market, in 2026 the choice may become slightly wider, and prices — more flexible,» explained the realtor.
Prices Have Changed
Realtor Elena Demakova notes that already in January of this year, noticeable changes are observed in the pricing policy of both new builds and secondary housing.
According to her data, the average cost per square meter in new builds in Altai Krai was about 156,000 rubles (approximately $1,700 at current rates). This is 0.6% higher than the figures for December 2025, when the price was 155,500 rubles.
At the same time, on the secondary market, the opposite trend is observed: the average cost per square meter in January was 112,000 rubles (approximately $1,200 at current rates). This is 1.07% lower than in December 2025, when the price reached 113,700 rubles.
«As for new builds, expecting price reductions is not advisable. The reasons for this are the constant increase in the cost of construction materials, labor, equipment rental, and other related expenses. Instead of direct price reductions, developers are likely to offer various installment plans and promotions to attract buyers. After the changes to the family mortgage from February 1, more accurate forecasts can be made. Already now, developers unanimously speak of upcoming price increases for apartments. This is confirmed by the experience of the first transactions concluded after the New Year holidays,» emphasizes the realtor.
