The pace of sales in Poland’s second-hand housing market has slowed significantly. In some cities—such as Opole—homeowners now wait up to 76 days on average to find a buyer, nearly 30% longer than a year ago. The fastest-selling properties? Small apartments, especially in large cities and… those needing renovation. According to the latest Otodom data, today it’s not just location that matters, but also size and investment potential.
Fewer Transactions, Longer Waiting Times
Sellers in the secondary housing market are finding little cause for optimism. While the number of listings remains relatively high, the turnover rate has clearly slowed. Fewer transactions mean properties sit on the market longer, and the sales process is more demanding. Buyer activity is also declining—in May, the number of inquiries per listing was lower than in April, reflecting increased caution on the demand side.
So how long does it really take to sell a second-hand flat in today’s market? Which locations and property types are selling fastest—and which are testing sellers’ patience? Otodom’s data provides insight.
Sellers Must Be Patient
In Q2 2025, Opole recorded the longest median listing time—76 days—making it the city where sellers wait the longest to close a deal. That’s nearly three weeks longer than in Rzeszów (59 days) and Szczecin (56 days), rounding out the top three slowest markets. On the other end of the spectrum, Poznań had the shortest median selling time at 38 days, followed closely by Katowice (39 days) and Warsaw (40 days).
“Over the past year, the median listing time for second-hand apartments has increased in almost all regional capitals,” notes Milena Chełchowska, real estate expert at Otodom.
“However, on a broader scale, listing duration is changing gradually—over the past six years, this indicator has risen by less than 1% quarter to quarter, which shows the secondary market remains relatively stable.”
In five cities—Gdańsk, Kielce, Opole, Rzeszów, and Wrocław—the time to sell an apartment has jumped by around 30% year-on-year. In Białystok, Kraków, and Warsaw, the increase ranges from 20% to 25%. Szczecin saw no change, and Bydgoszcz was the only major city where properties are now selling faster than a year ago, with the median listing time down 5%.
Location and Size Matter
Selling a second-hand apartment in smaller towns poses more of a challenge. In cities with populations under 50,000, listings remain active for an average of 65 days. In mid-sized towns (50,000–100,000 residents), that time drops to 44 days, and in major urban areas, properties find buyers in just 41 days.
Apartment size also influences the speed of sale. The larger the unit, the longer it takes to sell. In May 2025, the median listing time for apartments over 90 m² was 69 days, while flats under 40 m² sold in just 46 days.
“In the second-hand market, smaller apartments clearly sell faster,” explains Chełchowska.
“They are more affordable in terms of total price and appeal to a wider pool of buyers—from first-time homeowners to investors. Interestingly, on the new-build market, the situation is a bit different. While studios and small flats are snapped up quickly, the largest units follow closely behind. The slowest to sell are mid-sized apartments (60–90 m²). Also worth noting is that the secondary market currently features significantly faster listing turnover than the developer market.”
Renovation-Needed Apartments Sell Faster
Contrary to expectations, apartments labeled “in need of renovation” are selling faster than move-in-ready units. In the last quarter, such listings on Otodom were active for an average of 50 days, while those without that label took 52 days.
This isn’t a one-time anomaly. Over the past six years, renovated apartments only outsold renovation-needed units once—and by just one day. On average, “fixer-uppers” sell 5 days faster.
Why the demand? These properties are often viewed as investment opportunities or offer buyers more creative freedom in remodeling, attracting both investors and individuals wanting to personalize their home.
“Apartments requiring renovation are often seen as high-potential purchases,” Chełchowska adds.
“They tend to be located in desirable areas and, though they need upgrades, offer a chance to increase property value. That’s why they’re popular not only among private buyers but also investors and flippers who specialize in buying, renovating, and reselling homes for profit.”
Source: CEO.com.pl – The Secondary Housing Market Is Clearly Slowing Down
