Photo: Sergey Bobylev/TASS
The summer cottage season of 2024 promises to be extremely hassle-free from the point of view of those who want to rent a house or a whole cottage. Despite the increase in the cost of living declared by individual “professionals”, the demand leaves much to be desired, as the situation with the incomes of the population is steadily deteriorating. Few people are ready to just throw money away to live in the country in the summer. On the contrary, about 70% of Russians want to completely escape from cities — for permanent residence.
“Over the past year, the cost of summer rentals in the Moscow region has increased by 20% to 70.4 thousand rubles per month. At the same time, the difference between rental rates for houses in the near zone near the MKAD and near the borders of the Moscow region can reach two to two and a half times. In the Yaroslavl region, the cost of renting summer cottages for the year increased by 12% to 61.7 thousand rubles per month, in Tula — by 19% to 49.6 thousand rubles, in Ryazan — by 21% to 41.8 thousand rubles,” says Pavel Lutsenko, General director of the Mir Apartments service.
Maybe it has grown for someone, but such landlords will have to wait a very long time for customers. Forever. The demand for rented suburban real estate has been falling for the third year in a row, the rental price is the same. For example, in 2022 they decreased by 30-40%, in 2023 – by at least 20%.
Interest in renting suburban real estate has decreased by at least 15% over the year. External factors have influenced quite strongly. The most new and liquid facilities remain in demand. The rest “hang” in the exhibition for 3-4 months or more. There are still fewer tenants than offers, and, accordingly, they dictate market conditions,” explained Vladimir Rodionov, head of the Rental business at Apple Real Estate, a year ago.
Now the situation has only worsened, and there is no need to talk about any price increase in principle. On the contrary, the owners of dachas and cottages, taught by the bitter experience of the summer season-2023, are ready to make big concessions if only someone would move into their real estate. The alternative is simple: either the house makes a clean loss, or it pays for itself or gives its owner at least something from above.
A clean water economy that is becoming increasingly harsh. According to Avito Real Estate, according to the results of the first quarter of 2024, the demand for rental cottages fell by 6%. Moreover, this is a rather “conservative” assessment.
The reasons for what is happening lie on the surface — the incomes of the population are falling. Therefore, the “luxury” of living in a rented cottage, which almost everyone could afford during the Soviet years, is now available to few. In fact, this is a life for two houses, even if it is temporary — in modern times, it is extremely expensive. These include transportation costs, and the need to change the work schedule, not to mention the cost of rent itself.
By the way, this very cost is often zero — dachas are rented for free to friends and acquaintances of acquaintances just so that at least someone lives there. After all, it is known that a house that is unattended begins to collapse quickly. But even with customers “for free” in our times there are problems.
“We haven’t been to the cottage for three years, we decided to rent it out — for so, you only need to pay for a communal apartment. Transport accessibility is excellent — near the Central Ring Road, the entrance is convenient. The plot is well maintained, with landscaping, and nearby, outside the SNT, it is very beautiful. The river, the possibility of fishing, the mushroom forest, there are also enough berries there. The place is quiet, strangers do not walk here, and the fence around the village is high, with a lock.
A refrigerator, a stove (though with cylinders), a barbecue, a beautiful gazebo — everything is just perfect. However, on weekday mornings it takes at least an hour to get to the MKAD. But it’s only 15 minutes to the train. We have been trying to settle someone here for two years, so far without success,” complains Olga, a Muscovite.
More precisely, the former Muscovite family left for permanent residence in the region. The apartment was sold on time, and with this money it was possible to purchase a cottage. By the way, according to a recent study by Sberbank and DomClick, about 65% of Russians want to move to a country house. Now it is already unrealistic — it is difficult to sell an apartment for a good price, as the real estate market has risen.
However, this is already a problem from another opera — “do not confuse emigration with tourism.” Seasonal summer residence is just a vacation option, at least for those who do not need to go to work every day. But there are very few of them, everyone works in families now. Otherwise, you can’t survive.
There are many idle dachas also because young people do not need them — a generation of consumers has grown up. Why bother constantly looking after the house when you can go to the campsite with kebabs and drinks once or twice a month? However, with the frenzied pace of modern life, this has its own truth…
If you still decide to rent a house for the summer, then you should not go to realtors. In addition to additional expenses and hassle, this will not do anything, you will immediately begin to “breed”. The business of the “professionals” of the real estate market is frankly rotten now, they are trying to shake off money from each client to the maximum. And, of course, they will be deceived, they will start broadcasting about rising rental prices. Which is not in sight.
It is worth starting with a survey of relatives, friends, acquaintances and colleagues — does anyone have a summer cottage that is unattended? And there is a high probability that there will be one. And there you can negotiate what you will be charged for accommodation — in addition to paying for housing and communal services. Most often, the list of duties of a cottager is limited to mowing grass and harvesting crops that had simply disappeared before. It is not burdensome and, on the whole, even very pleasant. In addition, you can stock up for the winter without buying anything on the market.
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