Liyulin 5 was the neighbourhood in Bulgarian's capital city Sofia where apartment prices rose the most last year, shows statistics provided by imot.bg. This might look surprising at first, but since prices there were among the lowest a year ago, a big increase is logical.

In June 2007, prices in Liyulin 5 surged 53.5% to 694 euros per sq. m., compared to an average of 452 euros per sq. m. a year ago.

Second in terms of price hike are apartments in the area of Musagenitsa, which added 50.9% to an average price of 869 euros per sq. m. Last year apartments there were selling at 576 euros per sq.m .

Levski-G area ranks third. The average price there added 46.5% to 674 euros per sq m., next is Medicinska Academia with a 40.9% hike to 1,227 euros per sq m.

On the other hand, residential properties in Dragalevtsi declined in June by 3.3% to 784 euros per sq. m. from 810 euros per sq. m.

Next on the negative side is Gorna Banya, where apartment prices lost 3.2% in June to 617 euros/sq.m. agaisnt 637 euros/sq.m.

Property prices in Poligona area increased just 1.6% to 632 euros/sq m, against 622 euros/sq m., while those in Boyana added 8.6% to 822 euros/sq m. Fifth in terms of slowest price increase are properties in Izgrev where prices rose 9% in June to 966 euros/sq m.

If we compare the price of a 65 sq. m. apartment in the different neighbourhoods of the capital city, we will find the most expensive in the area of Simeonovo, where the average price of such property in June stood at 98,629 euros, which is a 78.1% increase compared with a year ago and is the biggest price increase in Sofia. After Simeonovo, come Medicinska Akadenia and Yavorov neighbourhoods where a 65 sq. m. apartment would have cost you 91,880 euros and 90,161 euros, respectively in June.

Meanwhile, in the biggest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast - Varna, the most expensive 65 sq. m. apartments are found in the neighbourhood Morska Gradina at 112,719 euros.