Even repairs won't save — which apartments are hard to sell in 2025.

The real estate market in Ukraine remains complex and dynamic. Despite a gradual recovery in demand, especially in cities like Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa, certain categories of apartments remain illiquid. They can 'hang' on the market for months or even years, even if owners offer discounts.

Novyny.LIVE editorial team explored which apartments are the hardest to sell in 2025 and how owners can increase their attractiveness.

Why apartments don’t sell

The real estate market in Ukraine is undergoing changes due to economic, social, and security factors. Martial law, inflation, and rising utility prices affect buyers' choices.

In 2025, Ukrainians prefer housing that meets modern requirements: energy efficiency, safety, convenient location, and reasonable price. Apartments that do not meet these criteria are losing popularity.

Old Khrushchyovkas and Brezhnevkas

One of the main 'outsiders' of the market is apartments in old Soviet-era buildings, particularly Khrushchyovkas and Brezhnevkas. Such properties often have outdated communications, low energy efficiency, and require significant investment in repairs.

For example, panel buildings lack modern heating or water supply systems, making life difficult during electricity or water outages.

Apartment layout and its impact on demand

Unprofitable layouts are another factor that significantly reduces the chances of selling in 2025. Buyers are looking for space and functionality. Apartments with walkthrough rooms, narrow corridors, or without a separate kitchen struggle to compete with modern properties.

Inconvenient zoning is most often observed in old panel buildings, where making renovations is difficult or legally prohibited.

In the western regions, demand for apartments with shelters has increased by 12%, while upper floors of old buildings have lost up to 20% of demand.

Large apartments with high taxes

Apartments with an area of 60 sq. m or more in 2025 are taxed with a 'luxury tax' for each 'excess' meter, and for properties over 300 sq. m, an additional 25,000 UAH is charged annually. Such expenses make large apartments in old buildings a burden for owners.

Heating, repair, and tax expenses often exceed the market attractiveness of such housing.

Legal issues with real estate

Apartments with a 'suspended' legal status are one of the most problematic categories in the 2025 market. If the owner does not have a complete package of documents (for example, changes not made after inheritance, encumbrances exist, no cadastral number), selling will be almost impossible.

Legal purity is the first thing buyers and banks check in case of mortgage lending. Even with good condition and location, an apartment with 'paper problems' remains unsold.

The Ukrainian real estate market is influenced by various factors, including social, economic, and legal. To successfully sell an apartment, owners must consider current trends and buyers' requirements, as well as ensure the legal purity of the property. The attractiveness of real estate depends on many factors, and it is necessary to continuously adapt to changes in the market.