A recent survey by real estate website 4zida.rs shows that 90% of Serbian homebuyers and renters believe property prices are too high. Over 60% of respondents say that the current political and social situation affects their plans, although most are still determined to purchase property. The survey, conducted in early August among more than 400 users and 43 agencies, indicates that buyers and renters are becoming increasingly cautious and slower in making decisions.
More than half of the respondents—56% of buyers and 45% of renters—are actively looking for a “good deal” rather than rushing into purchases. Buyers are predominantly aged 26 to 55, while renters are generally younger, mostly between 18 and 35. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) report that buying or renting a property is motivated by solving a specific life situation.
Among buyers, the primary motivations include acquiring a first property (28.4%), adapting to life changes (17.1%), upgrading or downsizing a home (14.8%), and investment purposes (12.4%). Renters’ motivations differ, with moving out of parents’ homes (21.2%), changing their current apartment (21.2%), finding a cheaper option than buying (11.5%), and relocating for work (11.5%) being the most common reasons.
In terms of financing, 37% of buyers use a combination of cash and mortgage, while 33% pay entirely in cash. Both buyers and renters prioritize price and location when choosing a property, though renters place more emphasis on the property’s condition, whereas buyers focus on size.
Despite ongoing interest in the market, high prices and economic uncertainty are slowing activity. Real estate agencies report that 64% have seen weaker market performance in the past 60 days compared to last year. The coming period is expected to continue reflecting cautious behavior, with buyers and renters actively seeking favorable opportunities before making decisions.
