How to Buy an Apartment in Moscow with a Huge Discount

Did you know that the real estate market also has its own "Black Friday"? Developers offer substantial discounts on new apartments in Moscow and the surrounding region just three days a year. And it's coming up soon.

What is "Black Friday" in Real Estate? Is It an Apartment Sale?

Yes, exactly that. Once a year, Moscow's top developers announce special discounts on apartments and studios in new residential projects. This event is organized by the Real Estate Professionals Association (REPA), which brings together leading developers and realtors.

The Black Friday sale has been held for five consecutive years. It takes place during the summer and lasts for three days. This year, the sale starts at midnight on July 26 and ends at 11:59 PM on July 28.

Only Three Days? Is That Enough Time to Choose an Apartment?

The Black Friday sale is primarily a great opportunity to save money for those already planning to buy an apartment. There is also enough time to carefully consider your options.

The sale unfolds in two stages:

• From July 15 to 25, the Black Friday website displays a list of properties that will be available at discounted prices. The exact discount amounts are not revealed yet, but you can check the regular prices of similar apartments and subscribe to updates for properties that interest you.
• Discounts become available at 12:01 AM on July 26. Subscribers get early access starting at 11:00 PM on July 25. You can then reserve attractive offers, select the apartment that suits you, and finalize the purchase.

To ensure you don't miss the start of the sale, sign up for discount notifications.

You can even select a specific residential complex to receive alerts if the developer offers a discount there.

Subscribe to discount news

Are Developer Discounts Really That Big? Maybe Just 5% Off?

During Black Friday, some apartments are offered at nearly half their usual price. Last year, discounts reached up to 42%. Nearly 1,942 properties participated, with total discounts amounting to approximately $52 million USD.

This year, 20 Moscow developers, including Donstroy, Gals Development, Kortros, and PSN Group, are participating. Nearly 40 residential complexes will offer discounts averaging between 10% and 20%.

If you don’t have the full amount to buy your dream apartment, you can opt for a mortgage. Most developers partner with banks to provide comfortable loan terms. To save time during Black Friday, compare mortgage offers in advance and choose the best option.

Are Discounted Apartments Located Far from the City Center?

Not at all. There are discounted apartments throughout Moscow, including areas within the Third Transport Ring and the Garden Ring.

With so many options, use filters to narrow down your search by price, size, number of rooms, preferred developer, or a specific residential complex you trust.

Why Such Generosity All of a Sudden?

According to participating companies, summer is traditionally a slow season for real estate. To attract buyers, developers offer discounts. In just three days, they can sell as many apartments as they usually do in two weeks.

The main rule for the sale is transparency: discounts must be honest. Offers that don’t meet this standard are not listed on the website. Cheating costs developers their access to the sale, buyers, and potential profits.

What if My Apartment Is Secretly Sold to Multiple Buyers and Then the Developer Goes Bankrupt?

This is highly unlikely. Black Friday features exclusive offers: if a discounted apartment is listed here, it is not sold anywhere else. Reserved units are temporarily removed from the market until buyers make their final decisions. If a reserved apartment becomes available again, you will receive a notification.

You make the purchase directly with the developer, following the same procedures as a regular sale. Verify that the developer has construction permits and land contracts, and read customer reviews about the quality of the housing.

If the building is still under construction, ask about the ZOSK certificate — a compliance document issued by the Moscow Construction Investment Committee. Without it, developers cannot receive direct payments from buyers; instead, funds go to an escrow account held by an authorized bank. If these conditions are not met, it’s a red flag to avoid that company.

What If Someone Snatches the Apartment I Want to Buy?

That can happen. The fastest buyers grab the best deals, much like any other sale event. Last year, 44% of all offers were reserved within the first two hours of the sale. Therefore, subscribing to early notifications to access offers an hour before others is highly recommended.

How to Secure a Great Deal?

• Study the list of participating properties beforehand. Select your favorites, check mortgage conditions, and subscribe to sale notifications.
• Once the sale begins, reserve the best options immediately — you can hold multiple reservations if you’re undecided.
• You will receive an SMS with a confirmation code. Enter it to confirm your reservation. This is free and non-binding. Your apartment will be temporarily taken off the market so no one else can buy it.

After reserving, a developer’s manager will contact you to arrange a meeting. Discuss the purchase terms, and if you agree, finalize the deal. Congratulations — your apartment is yours!

Learn more about Black Friday in real estate

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