Property prices still at pre-2008 levels

Property prices in Cyprus have bounced back by 87% compared to the first quarter of 2008, according to a recent report by the rating agency DBRS.

Real estate values have been climbing slowly, after declining since the 2008 global property crisis.

DBRS assessed the property markets in Cyprus and another five countries, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Portugal, in a recent report.

After the first quarter of 2008, all six countries experienced a decline in property prices, with Ireland recording a sharper drop at around 46.0% in 2013, compared to the value of properties in Q1 2008.

However, Ireland has recorded a significant recovery since then, reaching 87% of 2008 price levels.

Property prices in Spain have gradually recovered to around 85% after dropping to 63.4% in 2014.

The drop in property prices in Italy slowed from 2011 onwards, reaching its lowest ebb in 2019 at 82%.

Since then, it has gradually improved to about 86% of 2008 Q1 prices.

Greece and Cyprus followed a similar trajectory with a continuous and gradual decline, reaching 58.0% and 70.7% compared to the value of Q1 2008, respectively, by the end of 2016 beginning of 2017.

The property market in Greece has recovered 69% of the lost ground over the 13 years, and Cyprus has done better with 87% compared to Q1 2008, according to DBRS.

Portugal has recorded the highest rebound, as prices are actually higher now than in 2008, reaching 148.8% of what they were in 2008.

DBRS also touched on banks’ exposure to Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) against toxic real estate assets in these six countries.

The majority of the non-performing loans in Cyprus, Greece and Ireland are backed by real estate, unlike Italy and Portugal.

Businesses took out the majority of NPLs in Italy and Portugal.

Author: Christos Nikolaou

BEng Mechanical Engineering, MSc Real Estate, ETEK Property Valuer, Register and Licensed Real Estate Agent.

Christos Nikolaou is the founder and Managing Director of Property Canvas, he holds a license as an Estate Agent from the Association of Real Estate Agents of Cyprus and he is a registered Property Valuer in the Technical and Scientific Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK). He is the author of our “Property prices still at pre-2008 levels” and is a certified advance negotiator.