More than half of real estate companies in Central and Eastern Europe expect market activity and investment volumes to decrease, amid uncertainties related to the evolution of the conflict in Ukraine, but a similar percentage (46%) estimate current investment average yields to increase, according to Deloitte 2023 Real Estate Confidence Survey for Central Europe, conducted in Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania. Regarding yields evolution, the players in Romania are the most optimistic – only 10% expect earnings decrease during the mentioned period, compared to 14% in the Czech Republic and 36% in Poland.
According to the study, 61% of participants expect overall economic climate to deteriorate this year. However, most investors say they are going to buy more (44%), while 39% consider freezing their investment activities.
The lower availability of debt finance (50%) and the uncertain economic climate are the main reasons companies are considering reducing their activity. However, if, immediately after the outbreak of the war, more than 50% of participants expected it to have long-term consequences, with a significant impact on the regional economy, while only 34% anticipated a medium-term effect, by the end of last year, the proportion had reversed (58% were expecting medium-term effects, and 31% a long-term impact).
"The study reveals that the Romanian market is strongly connected with the Central and Eastern European region, with certain specific features. For example, local players are more pessimistic about the overall market activity this year, but 90% expect the current investment yields to be stable or to increase. Also, Romanians are less pessimistic about the overall economic climate in their country compared to the other participants, but, on the other hand, they are concerned about the tax climate prospects, namely about increased taxation, given the announced property tax reform, postponed for the time being. However, in the current context, the results of the study indicate a balanced position of the real estate players, characterized by caution and consolidation of market activities in the countries in which they operate," said Alexandra Smedoiu, Partner, Deloitte Romania, and Real Estate Industry Leader.
Deloitte has been conducting Real Estate Confidence Survey for Central Europe since 2019 to find out how professionals in the field perceive the market. Three groups of stakeholders participate in the survey - developers, investors, and market advisers.
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. The firm’s professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Its objective is to make an impact that matters through its 415,000 people worldwide.
Deloitte Romania is one of the leading professional services organizations in the country providing, in cooperation with Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal, services in audit, tax, legal, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, business processes as well as technology services and other related services, through over 3,000 professionals.
Please see www.deloitte.com/ro/about to learn more about the global network of member firms.