After the start of the full-scale war, Kyiv lost its leading position in terms of the price per square meter and the activity of the construction market for the first time. The capital has become a reflection of the all-Ukrainian housing crisis: the market is stagnant, and the gap between the market value of apartments and the financial capabilities of the population has increased sharply. Even the influx of people from the front-line regions has not been able to revive purchasing activity.

A survey by Gradus Research, commissioned by the Ukrainian Association of Developers, showed that the majority of Kyiv residents remain dissatisfied with their housing conditions and plan to improve them in the coming years. Despite the military risks, confidence in the primary real estate market remains at a fairly high level.

Today, 33% of potential buyers prefer new buildings, 21% are oriented towards the secondary market, and 43% are ready to consider both options. Almost half (48%) agree to purchase an apartment at the construction stage, but the requirements for the degree of readiness have changed: 51% want to see a finished “box”, 44% agree to the construction stage, and only 29% are ready to invest at the “pit” stage.

The main reasons for investors’ caution in primary housing are the risks of freezing construction (66%), possible postponement of the terms of putting the house into operation (58%), and the inability to move in immediately after purchase (45%). For those who choose the secondary market, the key barriers to new buildings are inflated prices (39%), distrust of developers (35%), unwillingness to wait for the completion of work (30%), conscious choice of secondary stock (28%), and the lack of suitable options in the desired area (19%).

The criteria for choosing housing among Kyiv residents have hardly changed compared to pre-war times. In first place remains price (76%), followed by convenient location (65%) and developed infrastructure nearby (63%). Most often, Kyiv residents seek three-room (58%) or two-room apartments (53%). The optimal area for two-room housing is 56–60 m², for three-room — 81–85 m².

As for height, the greatest demand is for buildings with 6–9 floors, although for 28% of respondents this parameter is not important at all. Young people are more loyal to high-rise buildings: they choose housing on 10–16 floors as often as in nine-story buildings. Thus, demand in the capital is gradually adapting to new economic realities, while maintaining classic housing priorities.