PremiumWhat are the prospects for Azerbaijani real estate market for 2009?

Business Materials 11 December 2008 18:55 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 11 / Trend , U.Ismayilova/ There are about 800 construction companies in Azerbaijan, and many of them have begun to suspend their activities due to lack of funds caused by suspension of bank lending in the light of the global financial crisis.

Trend interviews participants of Azerbaijani real estate market about their expectations in anticipation of 2009.

- Marketing Director of the Caspian Property Services appraisal company Elnur Azadov:

- We should not expect drastic changes in the Azerbaijani real estate market until April-May 2009, as the financial crisis usually lasts five to six months. I think this time will not be an exception - the situation in the world market will stabilize since May.

Currently, there is stagnation in the market, but despite this situation the sellers of apartments who are in immediate need for cash will sell their property. In May 2009, the housing market will begin to increase, but prices will not drop. During this period a price balance will occur in the market. But if the global financial crisis does not begin to stabilize, then a decline in prices is possible.

- Director General of the MBA Group consulting company Nusrat Ibrahimov:

- In the first half of 2009, Azerbaijan's real estate market will remain at the same level as today. Drastic changes are not expected due to the influence of the global financial crisis. The activity of the market will start, albeit weak, but will be growing by summer by about 1.7-2% a month. Difference in market activity between the second half of 2008 and the second half of 2009 will total 20%. That is, the market will get permanently stabilized by the end of next year. Prices will gradually continue to fall by 1.5-2% a month in the first half of the year, but by the end of the year they will begin to rise in line with activity.

- Executive Director of the NGO Participants of Real Estate Market Ramil Osmanov:

- Unlike other economic areas, real estate market is difficult to predict because its development depends on two factors: investment and private sales. I think deterioration of the situation is expected in the primary market, where development is dependent on investors, because the number of construction companies in Azerbaijan is beginning to reduce right now and only competitive ones remain. Private sale on the secondary market, including land and commercial market, depend on individuals who are now not selling anything.

Since the beginning of the financial crisis construction fell by 30% in Azerbaijan and housing prices may decrease by 10-15% next year.

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