Realtor Advises Against Rushing Apartment Sales in Arkhangelsk

Prices for new construction behaved differently, secondary housing stalled in early 2025, and the Arctic mortgage became the main driver of demand. Leading specialist Maria Vakorina from the SOFIA agency told 29.RU what to expect next in the real estate market.

How New Builds and Secondary Housing Were Bought in 2025

According to Maria Vakorina, in 2025 the new construction market felt stable, although prices varied from project to project.

— Prices for new builds in 2025 were mixed. It all depends on the developer, location, and the house«s completion date. But new builds are always in demand — there was no major sales slump, — the realtor said.

Interest in new housing persisted throughout the year, regardless of rate fluctuations and the economic situation. However, the secondary market had a tough time — especially in the first six months.

The situation changed closer to the second half of the year. Mortgage rates began to decline, and savings accumulated during the period of high deposit interest rates started to run out for many.

— People began investing in real estate again. Those who don«t want to wait choose secondary housing, those who want to live in comfort and beauty go for new builds, — the realtor explained.

Who Buys What: Two-Rooms for 15 Million and Housing for Students

According to Maria«s estimate, about 60% of deals are for new builds, and 40% — for secondary housing. Demand for different types of housing, based on the realtor»s observations, is distributed quite clearly.

One-room apartments are consistently in demand — they are bought by parents for their children during studies or by elderly people moving from areas of the region. They often consider options on the secondary market. Meanwhile, young people are increasingly choosing Euro-style two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments in new builds.

Often, when monitoring listings, one can find 2–3-room apartments for 12–15 million rubles (approximately $130,000–$165,000 at current rates). As Maria told, such options are in demand.

— If a residential complex has proven itself and has a good location, then this is an absolutely normal price tag. Now families really love to live in comfort. They prefer to buy in a new build at a higher price than on the secondary market, with old dirty entrances, old elevators.

Maria also notes a noticeable outflow of residents from the region.

— In 2025, more than 10 families I worked with left — to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl, Krasnodar Krai. That«s a lot, — she says. — Yesterday, out of curiosity, I looked at Rosreestr statistics. Just in the first half of the year, over 1000 families registered outside the Arkhangelsk region, meaning they left the region.

How the Information Agenda Affects the Market

According to Maria, the news that there are already non-wooden emergency houses will not affect the real estate market. Often people do not want to consider buying housing in buildings older than 1970. At the same time, such houses have not become cheaper.

One of the most discussed topics recently — the case with Larisa Dolina, who tried to challenge a real estate sale deal, citing being under the influence of fraudsters. According to Maria, this has not affected the market in Arkhangelsk.

— Our city is small, and all clients come to us through recommendations. They trust you completely, and there«s no abnormal jitters.

What is Happening with the Market Now

Now the Central Bank rate — is 16%. Maria herself took out an apartment loan at 8%. At Maria«s agency, they assume that next year the rate will drop to 12%.

Even with high rates, people continue to apply for regular mortgages.

— I had several such deals, but the mortgage did not exceed 50% of the cost. The rest — savings or sale of old housing, — Maria explained.

One of the key factors in revitalizing the market has been preferential mortgage programs.

— Preferential mortgage — is just great. Especially family and Arctic. In December, the list of categories expanded, and there were even more clients, — Maria told.

Demand was so high that realtors physically cannot keep up with selecting options.

The most popular of the preferential programs — is the Arctic one. It surpasses the family one, including due to the interest difference — 6% and 2% per annum.

Rental is always in demand, no seasonality is observed.

— Not everyone has money for a down payment, unfortunately, they are forced to rent. Moreover, the younger generation prefers to rent expensive, good apartments. Last week I rented out two Euro-style two-bedroom apartments, one for 45,000 rubles (about $495) and the other for 60,000 rubles (about $660).

Regarding selling apartments on the secondary market, Maria advises to hold off.

— Unfortunately, as of today, selling secondary housing is unprofitable. Demand is still low. The buyer bargains to the last, reduces the price to the maximum — we«re talking about discounts up to half a million.

The program for resettlement from dilapidated and emergency housing in Arkhangelsk was extended. The Arkhangelsk region received over 2 billion rubles (approximately $22 million at current rates) for it.

About what is being built in the city, we told in a separate story.