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Thinking about buying a holiday home at Lake Balaton? Here’s why winter is the best time
Lake Balaton remains an attractive destination for buyers seeking a holiday home, especially in winter when prices are generally lower. The Keszthely district, in particular, offers a surprisingly lively market, with properties ranging from modest weekend houses to more substantial lakeside retreats.
Affordable options for every buyer
On platforms like Ingatlanbazár, nearly twenty holiday homes are currently listed in the Keszthely district. Many are priced between HUF 40–60 million (EUR 103,000–154,000), making them accessible for families or first-time buyers.
For example, in Szentgyörgyvár, a 30-square-metre, two-room weekend house with two outbuildings and agricultural land can be purchased for just HUF 11 million (EUR 28,000), roughly HUF 336,000 per square metre, Világgazdaság reports. Vonyarcvashegy offers a 45-square-metre, one-room semi-detached cottage with a large covered terrace for 39.9 million HUF, while Keszthely-Kertváros lists a 64-square-metre, two-storey property with four rooms and dual terraces for HUF 49.9 million.
Most listings in the Keszthely region are located in Balatongyörök, Gyenesdiás, Keszthely, and Vonyarcvashegy, with sizes ranging from 50 to 150 square metres. Prices per square metre vary significantly, with some recently renovated smaller homes exceeding HUF 1.7 million.
Luxury and value in one market
Interestingly, some of the priciest properties offer the lowest price per square metre. A 500-square-metre estate with 14 rooms, a pool, terraces, a bar, two separate apartments, and a fruit orchard is listed at HUF 217.5 million: just HUF 435,000 per square metre. Another large complex of 840 square metres, featuring 27+1 rooms, a pool, a wine cellar, and an on-site restaurant, is priced at HUF 290 million, equating to only HUF 345,000 per square metre.
Meanwhile, a 2018-built, 120-square-metre, 1+4-room high-quality property is offered at nearly HUF 150 million, around HUF 1.25 million per square metre, reflecting modern construction and premium finishes.
Why winter is the best time to buy
Winter presents a prime opportunity for buyers, as spring demand usually drives prices up. Those looking for a Balaton holiday home can find a wide range of properties at more affordable prices before the market heats up.
Fun fact: Ultra-luxury at the lake
For those with deeper pockets, Lake Balaton also hosts some extraordinary estates. One such property, recently offered for EUR 11.9 million (around HUF 4.76 billion), features a private beach, multiple buildings with jacuzzis and saunas, a 170-metre waterfront with six piers, and extensive gardens. However, since the advertisement has been removed from Ingatlan.com, it has probably already been sold.