Real Estate Agent Lii Salusaar Review: What Kinds of Homes Do Estonians Live In?
An extensive population and housing census conducted at the end of last year shows that in recent years, Estonians have become increasingly interested in single-family homes. Compared to ten years ago, the number of single-family homes has increased by 10 percent. So what is the favorite home of Estonians?
Does size matter?
According to Lii Salusaar, a broker at the new Maa Luxum office, interest in recent years has grown especially towards single-storey houses. "More than ever before, people are looking at the home's technical systems and the price reflects homes with low maintenance costs," Salusaar explains people's wishes. Of course, it is also important how the house is heated. The preferred heating solution is ground source heat, and according to the broker, the presence of solar panels is also a big plus.
"There is clearly a decrease in interest in real estate with high maintenance costs," says Salusaar, discussing how high electricity prices are affecting the real estate market. "In the case of houses and apartments with only electric heating, this is increasingly reflected in the selling price as well," adds the broker.
When talking about single-family homes, important criteria for Estonians are the size of the house, the location, and the size of the property. "Houses with a size around 130–200 square meters are preferred," notes Salusaar. In terms of layout, it is important that each family member has their own bedroom.
"Since it has become the norm that working from a home office is a natural part of everyday life, more and more people want an additional room for a home office as well," adds Salusaar.
Home office makes it possible to move away from the city
"Since working from a home office means you no longer have to travel to the city five times a week, but just a couple of times a week, this knowledge has increased people's interest in living outside the city," says Salusaar.
Looking at the Tallinn surroundings, according to the broker, interest has increased towards the areas of Keila, Saue, Saku, Kiili, and Loo, where there are schools, kindergartens, hobby clubs, and good public transport connections to Tallinn.
Homes are being sought both outside Tallinn and into the city, for example, in Kristiine.
A corner for a home office is also being sought in apartments
In the case of apartments as well, the ability to set up a home office is becoming increasingly important – whether as a small corner or as a separate room. People also value the presence of a balcony, storage space, and a parking spot. "With apartments, one cannot speak of any favorite size. There is interest in apartments of all sizes, it all depends on the size of the household and the budget," says Salusaar.
When talking about apartments, Estonians are clearly believers in apartment ownership. The population and housing census shows that as many as 70% of apartment owners live in their own apartment. "Yet increasingly rising real estate prices sometimes force this belief to change," notes the broker. This is especially true among younger people, who push the purchase of their own home further into the future, until schools are finished and the world is explored.
When it comes to their own home, Estonians especially value natural light and openness.
Families seek peace, young people seek life
Most of all, Estonians seek natural light and openness in their home. From there on, clients' wishes begin to depend on personal needs. "Families want a larger living room and kitchen and sufficient storage space where they can conveniently store all their family's leisure equipment," explains Salusaar. Singles or couples look more at the location, which would be closer to the action and where they could comfortably spend time with friends outside the home as well.
In general, Estonians are very pragmatic when buying a home and according to Salusaar, there have been no unusual wishes. "Sometimes it happens that someone is looking for an apartment in an area where there are many apartment buildings close together and then they are surprised when a neighbor looks in through the window and the new home is not as quiet as living in the countryside," jokes Salusaar, but such cases happen rather rarely.
Some examples if you are looking for a suitable home:
- https://kinnisvara24.ee/maja-myyk-saku-vald/240619205
- https://kinnisvara24.ee/maja-myyk-tallinn/240620313
- https://kinnisvara24.ee/maja-myyk-saue-vald/240618045
