UNIKO: The new reality in Attica’s real estate market

The findings of the study were presented on stage by UNIKO representative Giorgos Giokas and event organizer Ilias Papageorgiadis, who illustrated with data the significant gap between supply and demand, particularly in the affordable housing segment.

According to Mr. Giokas, the analysis was based on data collected through UNIKO’s platform for the Attica region, aiming to clearly depict what the market has been discussing in recent years: a pronounced shortage of available low-priced housing.

“The smaller the property, the greater the shortage,” he noted, highlighting that the largest deficits are found in small-sized residences priced under €100,000.

The imbalance begins to ease as asking prices increase, but supply and demand remain misaligned up to the €200,000 threshold, which appears to function as the primary “psychological limit” for most buyers.

Mr. Papageorgiadis emphasized that 70% of prospective buyers are seeking properties valued at up to €200,000, confirming that demand remains heavily concentrated within this price range.

Above €200,000, however, the market picture changes noticeably: the market shifts from a shortage to a surplus of available properties, and above €400,000, the available stock significantly exceeds the number of interested buyers.

The analysis shows that in Attica, properties with asking prices above €200,000 are now more than twice as numerous as those below this threshold, while the buyer distribution shows the exact opposite pattern.

Geographic concentration of demand
UNIKO’s research also highlighted the geographic distribution of demand, with three areas attracting the majority of buyers:

• Southern Suburbs: 30%
• Athens Center: 29%
• Northern Suburbs: 24%

In the Southern Suburbs, 21% of buyers sought properties priced up to €200,000, while only 9% targeted higher-priced options. A similar pattern is observed in Athens Center, where 11% of all buyers searched for homes under €100,000.

In the Northern Suburbs, demand is more diversified: 14% look for properties up to €200,000, 10% for more expensive homes, and in the above €400,000 segment, the Northern Suburbs and the Center lead the market.

Larger homes, smaller budgets
The study also highlighted the mismatch between desired property size and buyers’ budgets. Over half of prospective buyers (52%) seek homes between 80–120 m², while 25% prefer even larger properties.

At the same time, 67% report a maximum budget of €200,000, illustrating a clear discrepancy between housing needs and actual purchasing power.

Mr. Papageorgiadis emphasized that this represents a “clear gap between supply and demand,” reflecting both market pressures and structural distortions that have developed over recent years.

Preference for middle floors
The study also examined buyer preferences regarding the location of apartments within buildings. The majority prefer units between the 1st and 3rd floors, avoiding ground floors, semi-basements, and penthouses.

Only 14% chose units below the 1st floor, confirming the market’s consistent preference for middle-floor apartments.