The real estate agent in Kazakhstan, the Managing Director of GlavStroy-2020, Salauat Kuatkaliyev, told a Daryo correspondent that monolithic houses could cost up to 30% more than panel houses in the Central Asian country. First, according to him, the cost depends on the housing area; the larger it is, the higher the price. Second, is the location.

'For example, in the village of Tuzdybastau, which will soon become part of the prestigious district of Almaty, one can buy an apartment in the price range from 9.6mn tenges ($21,211). Usually, the cost of housing is affected by public transport access. The closer the bus stop, the more expensive your property is,' Kuatkaliyev said.

'Making your home 10-15% cheaper will help the choice of the first floor and a rough finish - without plaster, with an uneven screed and communications carried out to the connection point. As a result, up to 35% of funds can be saved when buying an apartment at the initial stage of construction. On the other hand, monolithic houses can cost up to 30% more than panel houses. Also, the price in terms of increase is affected by the layout: a free or improved one costs more than a standard one', he added.

A real estate expert says that windows overlooking the main street, large shops, schools and kindergartens, a park, and a pond nearby will also affect the cost.

At the same time, Salauat Kuatkaliyev pointed out that housing would be cheaper if hazardous production were located nearby. As a result, new market participants also offer low prices.

'Buying an apartment from beginners or little-known companies is cheaper than from leaders,' he stressed.

Svetlana Shesternyova, Almaty