Romanian home sales fall over 17% in Q3 after cadastral disruption

Romania recorded a sharp fall in completed residential transactions in the third quarter of 2026. Consultancy SVN Romania, using figures from the national cadastral agency ANCPI, reported that sales of houses and apartments were down more than 17% year on year. In Bucharest–Ilfov the decline exceeded one third. These residential figures must not be confused with the separate 7% decline in the broader transaction category mentioned in the original report.

The period was distorted by a cyberattack on ANCPI systems starting on 14 July. SVN said agency services were unavailable for roughly a month, contributing to the weakest July residential transaction count in a decade. Activity improved slightly in August and recovered strongly in September, but not enough to offset the earlier interruption. The consultancy described the disruption as an important factor, not a measured explanation for every lost sale.

This distinction matters when interpreting the market. A lower count of registered deals can reflect administrative delays as well as weaker demand. Investors and buyers should compare subsequent monthly registration data, mortgage approvals and local asking prices before concluding that property values have fallen by the same percentage. The quarterly figures are a warning about market liquidity, not a house-price index.