Commercial property prices in Bulgarian remained stable in 2008 and grew by an average of 20.73%. Prices went up by 24.32% in Sofia, while the increase in Varna, Plovdiv and Bourgas stood at 13.47%, 10.00% and 16.67%, respectively.

Unlike the sales prices, commercial property rent prices are developing dynamically, a report of real estate company Foros shows.

Similarly to the properties in other segments of the market, commercial property prices went up in the first half of last year and declined in certain cities in the last six months of the year. Commercial property rents went up by an average of 10.01% in Bulgaria in 2008.

The increase amounted to 22. 06% and 1.84% in Sofia and Varna, respectively. Prices declined by 19.67% in Plovdiv and by 11.81% in Bourgas.

Despite the strong supply rents in the large-scale shopping centers posted no significant changes and remained in the range 10-45 euros/sq. m.

The return from commercial property in Bulgaria continues to be among the highest in Eurorope amounting to 7-7.5%.