The process of selling homes in Bulgaria has always taken a long time. Whether because of the folk psychology of considering for a longer time whether this is the right home in which to invest hundreds of thousands of euros or because of the fact that there is a large selection on the market, buying a home or property for investment has always taken time.
Today, however, the exact opposite is observed on the market in our country - homes are being bought up like hot cakes, and renting them out takes more time than usual, according to intermediaries.
Among the main reasons for such a trend is the fact that more and more potential tenants with good incomes are orienting themselves towards purchasing a home, taking advantage of the more favorable conditions for housing loans. This trend led to the retention of rental price levels in early 2025.
The main drivers of the upcoming seasonal activity in the rental market will be internal migration - mainly students (Bulgarian and foreign) and young families looking for a change of residence relative to the locations of schools and kindergartens. The expectations of analysts from the National Institute of Real Estate are that the market will remain highly competitive for tenants, while landlords will take advantage of opportunities for quick deals at good rental prices.
For long-term rentals (for a period of one year or more), the most preferred remain the central areas of large cities, proximity to universities or large business centers, as well as convenient transport access. Residential properties - apartments, regardless of their size or layout - are the most actively traded on the market.
There has been no significant increase in interest from foreigners or digital nomads. On the other hand, demand is increasing from Bulgarians returning from abroad, who are increasingly looking for long-term rental housing before a possible purchase.
“The rental market is at an interesting time – we expect the summer and autumn seasons to bring a new wave of activity, especially in university and family-oriented areas of large cities. Despite the reported decline in demand at the beginning of the year, the rental market remains stable and offers good opportunities for both tenants and owners“, says Angelina Dobreva, member of the National Association of Real Estate Agents.
Detailed statistics on average property prices in Bulgaria by city and neighborhood can be found HERE