Welcome to another edition of Real Estate Week — my Monday look back at what happened on the housing and mortgage market over the past seven days. The goal is a clear overview without scaremongering and without a flood of tables: what changed and what it means for you here in Brno and South Moravia. And if you like hard numbers, you'll find them all together at the end.
This week came down to four things — building land, apartment prices, new-build homes and mortgages. Let's take it in plain language.
Building-land prices in Brno and the surrounding area
Fresh data showed just how much the land under our housing has appreciated over the past decade — and the Brno area is near the very top. Brno-město is among the most expensive districts in the whole country, right behind Prague, and in the surrounding districts (Znojmo, Žďár nad Sázavou) land prices are growing at some of the fastest rates nationwide. At the same time, the time a plot sits on the market has shortened dramatically — the figures show good plots disappearing faster and faster.
What it means for buyers: if you dream of building a family house near Brno, expect the land itself to be a major cost item — and it's unlikely to get cheaper. It pays to look a little further from the city; the gaps between districts are huge, and a few kilometres can mean a very different price per square metre.
What it means for sellers: if you own a building plot in a sought-after location, you're holding scarce goods. But that doesn't mean selling blind — utility connections, the zoning plan and real buildability drive the final price. A fairly set price and good preparation serve you better than an optimistic "gut-feeling" number.
Apartment prices in Brno and South Moravia: growth is slowing
Prices of older apartments keep rising, but at a gentler pace than in previous quarters. The market is shifting from "everything flies up" to a calmer tempo where the individual property matters more again — location, condition and how well it's prepared for sale. Demand is still holding, and nice apartments in desirable parts of Brno disappear from the market quickly.
What it means for sellers: slower price growth is not a discount. In sought-after locations — where Brno and South Moravia have long belonged — well-prepared apartments hold both their price and their speed of sale. This is exactly where presentation shows its value: a well-photographed apartment at a realistic price sells faster and on better terms than one just "thrown onto a listing site".
What it means for buyers: nothing will get dramatically cheaper on its own, so don't count on a big price drop. It pays to be ready — with a pre-arranged mortgage and a clear idea of a fair price — so you can act the moment the right property appears.
A quick sale next door doesn't mean "it'll sell itself at any price". An inflated price puts buyers off even in a hot market — the listing goes stale and ends in discounting. Bet instead on the right price from the very start.
New-build apartments in Brno: sales jumped 40 % year-on-year
An interesting angle came from data on the new-apartment market. In the second quarter of 2026, Brno sold 416 new units — 40 % more than a year earlier. And it isn't that developers are finally clearing out stock: supply widened at the same time by 85 %, to 2,551 apartments. More apartments on offer and more deals closed would normally be expected to cool prices — but the opposite happened. The average asking price climbed to a record 158,600 CZK/m². Supply is up, sales are up, and yet new builds are selling for more than ever.
What it means for buyers: with new builds in Brno, don't count on a bigger supply automatically pushing prices down — so far it isn't happening. Demand for new housing is strong and good projects sell briskly. It pays to have a pre-arranged mortgage and a clear budget so you can act when the right unit comes up. And it still holds that a bit further from the centre, or in an older apartment, you'll get noticeably more square metres for the same money.
What it means for sellers: record new-build prices also lift how buyers perceive the value of older apartments nearby — those who can't reach a new flat move to the secondary market. If you own a well-kept apartment in a sought-after location, the comparison with new-build prices works in your favour. Even so, what decides the sale is honest presentation and a realistically set price, not just a link to a developer's price list.
Mortgage rates in summer 2026: banks are raising
Summer isn't kind to rates this year. Some banks nudged rates up again in July and mortgages got pricier — commentators are even talking about the market "overheating". It's not a blanket reversal, and the differences between banks are now noticeable, but the summer direction points upward.
What it means for buyers: the gaps between banks are widening, and over twenty years they add up to hundreds of thousands of crowns. Don't rely on the rate at "your" bank — it pays to compare several offers and to count in fees and insurance, not just the advertised number.
What it means for sellers: buyers have a slightly pricier mortgage, so they calculate more carefully and don't overpay needlessly. A realistically set price and honest presentation matter more now than a year ago.
If your rate fixation ends within a year, start dealing with the refix well in advance, not a week before. And before you sign anything, have at least three banks compared — what you ultimately pay is decided by total costs, not the first number in the ad.
💡 Tip of the week
If you're weighing a purchase or sale in the coming months, do two calm things now: get a realistic idea of what your property is worth (not based on the priciest listing on your street) and have a mortgage estimated in advance. When the right opportunity comes, you'll be able to act quickly and from a position of strength — and that's what wins on today's market.
What does it mean for foreigners on the Czech real estate market?
Nothing new specifically for foreigners this week — the same rules apply for Czech, EU and non-EU citizens. Here's the evergreen picture worth keeping in mind:
- Who can buy: individuals — whether Czech, EU or non-EU citizens — can buy apartments, houses and land in the Czech Republic in their own name. There is no special foreigner restriction on ordinary residential real estate.
- Mortgages: Czech banks do lend to foreigners, though conditions (required down payment, income documentation, residence status) vary bank by bank. Non-residents typically face stricter terms, so compare several banks before you commit.
- Currency: properties are priced and paid in Czech crowns (CZK). If your income is in euros or another currency, factor in the exchange rate and any conversion costs.
- Always verify: before signing, have the contract and the land registry (katastr nemovitostí) entry checked by a lawyer, and confirm mortgage terms directly with the bank. This note is general information, not legal advice.
For those who like numbers
I promised hard data — here it is, with sources:
- Building land got significantly pricier over ten years. Per Hypoindex, the average price of residential building land in the Czech Republic rose from 814 CZK/m² (June 2016) to 2,615 CZK/m² (June 2026), a 221 % increase. The time a plot sits on the market shortened year-on-year from 294 to 118 days. Brno-město, at 10,717 CZK/m², is the second most expensive district after Prague (20,380 CZK/m²). In South Moravia, prices grew fastest around Znojmo (+380 %, 2,079 CZK/m²) and Žďár nad Sázavou (+432 %, 2,458 CZK/m²). Děčín remains cheapest (974 CZK/m²). (source: Hypoindex.cz)
- Older apartment prices are rising more slowly. Up 13.3 % year-on-year in Q2 2026 — still brisk, but slower than in previous quarters. The national average was around 91,921 CZK/m². The Pardubice region grew fastest (+18 %), Hradec Králové slowest (+8 %). (source: Hypoindex.cz)
- New-build apartment sales in Brno jumped 40 %. In Q2 2026 Brno sold 416 new units (+40 % year-on-year), while supply widened by 85 %, to 2,551 apartments. Even so, the average asking price climbed to a record 158,600 CZK/m². (source: Hypoindex.cz)
- Mortgages got pricier in July. Per Hypoindex, four of ten monitored banks raised rates noticeably in July (Moneta, for example, by 0.6 percentage points on the one-year fixation). The lowest rates were around 4.58–4.68 % (Fio banka, depending on the fixation period). It was a partial increase, not a blanket reversal. (source: Hypoindex.cz)
Note: the Czech National Bank, the Financial Administration and the Ministry for Regional Development brought no new legislation this week that would directly affect property buyers or sellers.
Thanks for reading. See you next week over whatever new the market brings.
— Pavel Maloušek, Realiťák Brno