Average market prices of residential housing in Bulgaria dropped by -5% in the third quarter of 2009, a decline of -28% year-on-year, according to National Statistical Institute figures.

All regional centres saw a decline in prices in Q3, with the sharpest drops in Montana (-16.3%), Vidin (-10.1%) and Shoumen (-10%). In Sofia, the Q3 decline in housing prices was -6%. The fall in Q3 was less steep than in the second quarter, where figures were -10% than in Q1. In the third quarter, housing prices were highest in Varna, at 1770 leva/sqm, followed by Sofia at 1640.33 leva/sqm and Bourgas at 1379.83 leva/sqm.

The lowest average market price for housing was recorded, according to the National Statistical Institute, in Kyustendil, at 545.94 leva/sqm.