Archive
2022
Where are we at with Polish interest rates?
Up, Down - It doesn't matter if you can't afford a mortgage
If Poland hadn't been one of the most successful global economies of the last 30 years then we wouldn't be facing the current inflationary tsunami in the same way.
BORROW EURO, BUY IN ZLOTY - IS NOW A GOOD TIME?
Hedging in a time of inflation
If you have been considering buying Polish property in 2022, you may be holding back to see how recent (and expected future) interest rate rises will affect apartment prices.
2021
Which Polish City offers most affordable property value?
How many sqm can the average salary buy in each main city and what does the data mean?
StatsPoland have just announced regional average gross salary levels around Poland and we thought it would be a good opportunity to compare them to average apartment costs in each major city.
Property Fees - A Strategy to Reduce Costs When Buying Property in Poland
When it feels like everyone has their hand out
Before deciding to buy property in Poland you need to know how the system works. As a foreigner, you can't just assume that it is the same (or even similar) to that which exists in your home country.
Buying A New Apartment? Negotiating Tips for the Polish Market #1
Price is not the only route to getting a better deal
Recent reports suggest that Poland delivered 7% more homes in 2020 than they did in 2019. This despite the pandemic. Prices have held firm and in some areas increased in contrast to expectations (including ours) from early 2020. Interest rates are rock bottom so affordability is greater and demand has increased as demonstrated by the latest mortgage report. So why would developers negotiate with you in such a positive market?
Which Polish City Offers The Best Return On Your Investment? - March 2021
Identifying the Best Apples
In February 2020, just before our lives were upturned, we asked which Polish cities offered the best value in terms of prices versus salaries. In essence, how many square metres would the cities average salary buy. We compared this to mortgage costs.
Polish Salaries, Property Prices & Mortgage Costs - 2018 to 2020
Assessing the past may sometimes be a guide to the future
After almost twelve months of lockdowns, mask wearing and isolation where has the Polish property market been and where might it be going?
2020
Polish Property Prediction for 2021
Mortgages are cheaper, Property prices will continue to rise
Monthly mortgage repayments have never been lower as the Polish economy enters 2021 with a 35 year mortgage of 500,000 zl. costing less than 2,000 zl. per month.
Staying Afloat - Poland Records Second Highest YoY Property Price Rise In EU
Latest report shows Poland property prices up 10.9% from Q2 2019
Despite Covid-19, demand for property is still very very strong in Poland, resulting in a continuation of price increases.
The Polish Economy 2020 and Beyond - A Quick Update
Green Shoots - Economic indicators are beginning to have more relevance...finally.
Welcome to the new normal. Our last post made the point that we would simply not get involved in the projection game until there was a clearer picture of what was going on in the economy. We are getting closer to that point and the recent report from the EC Summer Economic Forecast puts some meat on the bones of previously sketchy data.
Polish property up or down? What we can tell so far
Without a definite date for a vaccine, we work with what we know
Further to our previous articles on the ongoing pandemic and the relationship to property, some things are becoming clearer.
Polish Property in 2020 - Some Thoughts & Observations
If you think you know what's coming, you're wrong.
As we enter month two of our "please give me your Netflix password" period, there is no shortage of people who can tell you what will happen in the future. Whilst there is nothing wrong with listening to educated experts suggesting possible outcomes, declarative economic statements should be eyed with suspicion.
Will Airbnb be around in 6 months?
Staycations are not in the companies business model
Amongst the many disruptions to the global economy, many companies have suddenly rose in value as their product directly benefits the current situation. Airbnb is not one of them.
Corona Chaos - Buying PLN in a Casino Environment
How much is the Polish Zloty worth?
This article will probably be out of date between the time you begin reading it and when you get to the end. That is how erratic and unpredictable these markets have become.
Polish Mortgage? Should you Suspend Repayments during Corona Chaos?
What to consider when deciding to take a Mortgage Payment Holiday
If you have an existing Polish Mortgage you are probably aware that one of the many financial reactions to the current coronavirus pandemic is a possibility to suspend your monthly mortgage repayments for up to three months.
Coronavirus, The Polish Economy & More
Do We Have a New Future?
"Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?" by Paul Gauguin (Image)
Have you got a Swiss Franc Polish Mortgage? Don't get cheated again!
Lawyers are offering a solution, that may be a problem.
In October of last year, a test case was successfully brought in the European Court by a Polish couple against their Bank over the terms of their Swiss Franc Mortgage. A complicated judgement that essentially denied the banks claim they they alone had the right to set the exchange rates when demanding repayments. This has resulted in a flood of similar claims from all over the country as homeowners received confirmation of what they had always suspected, the Banks were screwing them and they were due recompense.
Poland City Rent vs Mortgage Costs - Which is Best and Where
Q4 2019 - Are You Losing Money by Renting?
Despite, in some cases, double digit growth in property prices in Poland in the last year, we examine whether renting or buying is a better option for your finances.
Polish Property Market 2020 - A Good Time to Buy?
To Buy or not to Buy, that is the question
What a year it's been for both the Polish economy generally and the Polish property market in particular. Growth in the number of new build properties, prices and mortgage approvals all exceeded official forecasts. Unemployment, despite increasing marginally in the last quarter remains at an historic low of 5.1 % and salaries have increased on average by 6% in 2019.
Buying for Investment? Should you Bother Renting it Out?
The Argument for NOT Renting out a New Apartment
Buying an apartment anywhere in the world can be like booking a Ryanair flight. The headline price rarely is what it actually costs you.
2019
Are Polish Property Agents a Waste of Money - Rent
Series 3/4 - Renting
Further to our initial articles in the series, Are Polish Property Agents a Waste of Money/ Selling & Buying we now look at Renting.
Getting a Property Valuation
Buying or Selling - Some Tips on Getting a Polish Property Valuation
Whether buying or selling, it's a good idea (and required if getting a Polish mortgage) to get a good independent valuation. And strangely, not all valuers are created equally.
Buying & Selling Polish Zloty - Do's & Dont's
It's all about the spread, 'bout the spread, 'bout the spread ...
If you are in Poland for the weekend it is unlikely you will spend enough to make any real difference to how you buy your Zloty but for anyone staying a little longer, it's worth figuring out the most efficient way of changing your currency.
Are Polish Property Agents a Waste of Money? - Buying
Series 2/4 - Buying a Property
Following from our initial article in the series, Are Polish Property Agents a Waste of Money/ Selling we now look at Buying.
Are Polish Property Agents a Waste of Money? - Selling
Series - 1/4 - Selling your Property
In a recent Bloomberg article claiming that German and American property agents were ripping off their clients in high fees and low service we decided it was time to look at what Polish property Agents do, don't do and where does your commission go.
Rugby World Cup 2019 - Best Pubs to Catch the Action
We're on Tokyo Time
At BigDoor24 we are all about property, much like Rugby ....gaining ground or losing it we can see the parallels.
Tags: General Information News
Work Permit - Why are some Polish provinces easier than others?
The process is the same, the time taken is not
Anyone who has tried to obtain a work permit in Poland these days knows the wait time can be extraordinarily long, hampering both the efforts of the prospective worker and the employer.
How will Doubling the Minimum Wage affect Polish Property
Up or Down?
The Government announced plans this week to double the Polish minimum wage over the next 4 years (Bloomberg), should they be re-elected. What effect will this have on future Polish property prices?
How Safe is your City?
Burglary Numbers by Vovoidship
The official numbers are out from the National Map of Security Risks detailing amongst others, the number of reported burglaries by Vovoidship for the period January to June 2019.
25% of Ukrainians may leave Poland in 2020 - National Bank of Poland (NBP)
How this may affect the property market
According to a recent report from the NBP's Dept. of Economic Analysis the expected 2020 legislation in Germany, allowing work permits for non-EU citizens, may result in a reduction of the number of Ukrainians working and living in Poland by 20 to 25 % from current levels.
Love the Sun, Hate the Heat - Air Conditioner Tips in Poland
Be Cool
There are lots of articles out there that detail the different types of Air Conditioning to get this summer. From the small portable units with their varying prices, energy efficiency and bacterial effects to the built-in multi-room wall controlled ones, there is a lot to choose from.
Top Property Search sites in Poland - Ranked - # 2
Buying & Selling - Who Does What Best
The second part of our series on Polish property search portals we look at buying & selling and who does what best.
Is Polish Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Get the (f)Low Down on Polish Tap Water
Tags: General Information News
The Krakcast & BigDoor24
The Krakcast interviews with BigDoor24
In partnership with The Krakcast podcast, a popular and growing Krakow based podcast for Expats, members of the BigDoor24 team provide expert insights on Polish property, including Polish rentals, buying in Poland, Polish Mortgages and more
Wroclaw Uncut & BigDoor24
Wroclaw Uncut & BigDoor24
In partnership with Wroclaw Uncut, The premier English language Wroclaw magazine, BigDoor24 will be publishing exclusive Wroclaw centered articles on renting, buying , letting or selling property in Wroclaw.
St. Patricks Day Events in Poland - 17th March 2019
You don't have to be Irish to have a Party
The Irish call it Paddy's Day, the Americans, Saint Patty's Day, and the Poles, Festiwal sw. Patryka as the celebrations by Irish communities around the world for St. Patrick's Day only gets bigger.
Tags: General Information News
Rent by District Q1 2019 - Gdansk
Are you a Goldilocks?
Are you paying too much rent or to little? ... or, as Goldilocks would say, just right!
Tags: Gdansk Statistics
Polish Rental Agreement - 5 things you need to know
What's in the contract, What's not, and What should be....
Not knowing some basic things about a Rental Agreement is just a gamble.
Are you paying too much rent? - Krakow
Krakow Rent by District - Jan 2019
As part of a new series we at BigDoor24 are happy to kick things off with the Krakow - Average Rental Costs by District.
Tags: Krakow NEWS Statistics
When & How to apply for a Polish Mortgage - 6 Tips
When to apply, How to apply, What to consider - Polish Mortgages
6 Tips that may save you serious Zloty
2018
Kiss your 2018 shopping days goodbye !!!
Only 15 out of 52 Sundays are open for shopping in 2019
A lot of you knew it was coming but may have forgotten.
Tags: General Information News
Choosing a Language School - things to consider
Why you want to learn is as important as where you study
While it's true that a lot of Poles speak English and in many cases a third language, to really experience the country you may want to learn Polish, or at least enough to get around.
Tags: General Information
Rental Deposits - How Much, When and Getting it Back
Just Easier When You Know
As in most countries, it is perfectly normal that a tenant is required to pay a deposit to a new landlord to cover any outstanding utility charges or damages to the property during a tenants stay.
Is this the most expensive residential home for sale in Poland today?
"Buy land. They're not making it anymore" - Mark Twain
No doubt the really really expensive properties currently for sale are whispered about amongst the worlds elite and not posted on websites for all to see. But this one is.
Tags: Buy Investment News Sell
Getting a Property Valuation
Buying or Selling - some tips on hiring a property Valuer
Whether buying or selling, it's a good idea (and required if getting a home loan) to get a good independent valuation. And strangely, not all valuers are created equally.
Renting without an Agent - A Checklist
Going it alone
When renting a property through an agent you will normally pay a fee equivalent to one months rent ( or less if using BigDoor24 ).so you may decide you would like to avoid paying anything.