Zagreb apartment buyer shocked by prices and poor condition of listed property

A Zagreb resident seeking her first apartment shared her dismay over the city's real estate prices, finding even older, smaller units prohibitively expensive. She was particularly drawn to planned neighborhoods in Novi Zagreb, appreciating their green spaces and good transport links, and the quality of older construction.

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My advice is not to jump at the first overpriced apartment you like. Yes, nice apartments in good locations are not common, but in my experience (currently in the process of buying an apartment, 86m2 for 190k in Zagreb), if you are willing to invest a few months and be patient until the right opportunity arises, browse ads daily, etc., something that suits you and is at a good price will eventually appear.

However, the prices encountered were "shocking and sad." She highlighted one 44-square-meter apartment in Dugave, built in the 1980s and without an elevator, listed at 170,000 euros. The unit required significant renovation, which she initially estimated would cost an additional 20,000-30,000 euros.

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I think your renovation of only 20-30k is very, very optimistic, it will more likely be 40-50k, just keep that in mind. With the purchase of the apartment, that comes to about 210-220 thousand euros for a 45 square meter apartment, 40 years old in Dugave, or 4500 euros per square meter for old construction in Dugave. Honestly, that sounds like a very high price to me, and I think you can find a better deal than this.

Seeking advice on Reddit, she asked if she was "crazy" to consider buying or if she should wait for a better deal. Responses suggested her renovation estimate was optimistic, with some predicting costs closer to 40,000-50,000 euros, pushing the total price for the small, older apartment to over 200,000 euros.

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I am shocked by the prices and sad because I no longer know if it is even realistic.

Upon visiting the apartment, her concerns were confirmed. She described the condition as "catastrophic," noting uneven floors and the need for complete renovation. The owner's estimate of 40,000-50,000 euros for repairs was significantly higher than her initial assessment. She concluded that paying more than 130,000 euros would be "crazy," especially as similar listings continued to appear on the market.

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The apartment is in catastrophic condition. You couldn't see the real condition in the pictures. Different floor levels in each room, it needs complete renovation and remediation.