One of the most common dilemmas of potential property buyers in Serbia is: 'Should I wait for prices to drop?' Our analysis shows that those who waited since 2021 have lost an average of four square meters in Belgrade for the same budget of EUR 100,000 — from 38m² down to 34m².
The reason is clear: real estate prices in Serbia grow at a steady pace of 5-8% per year, while salaries and savings don't keep up. A buyer who could have purchased a two-bedroom apartment in New Belgrade in 2021 can now only afford a one-bedroom for the same money. The only period of significant slowdown was late 2022 and early 2023, but even then prices didn't fall — they just plateaued.
This doesn't mean you should buy in a panic. The key is in good timing and preparation. Monitor the market, have a pre-approved bank loan, and be ready to act when a good opportunity appears. A property purchased today at a fair price will almost certainly be worth more in five years.
