Demand in Hungary’s housing market reached a three-year high in July, driven largely by anticipation surrounding the upcoming Home Start Program, according to data released by ingatlan.com on Sunday.

The platform recorded over 284,000 phone inquiries in July, surpassing figures from the same month across 2022 to 2024. Monthly demand grew by 14–39 percent across counties, particularly in regions where previously high prices had suppressed interest. This uptick was supported by an expanding supply, driven mainly by owners hoping to move.

“A market turnaround is likely, with strengthening expected in the coming months,” ingatlan.com stated. Chief economic expert László Balogh noted that prospective buyers who had postponed entering the market are now acting to get ahead of the expected demand surge.

The announcement of the Home Start Program also stimulated interest in property purchases through its impact on the rental market. In regional university cities like Szeged, Pécs, and Debrecen, demand for rental units rose by 25–30 percent following university admissions announcements. In contrast, Budapest saw no typical seasonal spike, as many parents now consider buying instead of renting, thanks to the program’s financial benefits. In some cities, mortgage payments may even undercut monthly rents.

The strongest monthly increase in buyer interest was in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, where inquiries rose 39 percent. Győr-Moson-Sopron saw a 37 percent rise, and both Pest and Vas Counties posted 36 percent gains.

Supply also grew in July, with over 30,250 residential properties listed on the site, reflecting a 2–3 percent monthly and annual increase. According to Balogh, listings may continue to rise in August, but from September, demand linked to fixed 3 percent interest rates could result in faster sales, stabilizing the number of visible listings.