The investments in new apartments are much more efficient than those made in old apartments after purchasing them, Nicolae Rusu, head of the sales department of the Chisinau Municipal Mortgage Agency AMIC, has told Info-Prim Neo. Asked to compare the latest trends on the two types of housing markets, Nicolae Rusu said that both of the sectors saw practically the same declines, but the primary housing market becomes more attractive and, on the first summer months, is expected to see more significant growths compared with the secondary housing market and with the previous periods. According to the representative of AMIC, this difference in trends is explained by a number of important factors, the major one being the increased efficiency of the investments that the buyer makes in a new apartment, compared with the investments in an old apartment. The proportion is kept event when the finishing works have not been carried out in the new apartments. “Anyway, before moving to an old apartment, the new owner must spend more money not only to outfit it as they like, but also to take out the old paint, tiles and wallpaper and to strengthen certain elements or carry out other preparatory works,” Nicolae Rusu said. In general, the apartment buildings put in commission until 2000 were built according to certain quality standards, while the new ones according to other, more rigorous quality, energy conservation and other standards. The new apartments have autonomous heating systems. The pipes made from stainless steel are incorporated in the floor. There are meters that measure the consumption of energy resources for every household resident. The thermopane windows are more efficient and allow optimizing costs. The auxiliary areas like the bathroom, toilet, kitchen and the hall are usually larger than in old apartments and ensure a minimum needed for decent living conditions. Nicolae Rusu also said that the materials used to construct the buildings are modern. The external walls are faced with efficient thermo-insulation material that does not allow the heat to go out and enable to conserve the heat produced in every apartment. A new building would be in need of repair in about 20 years. In the old buildings, the pipes and common places are permanently repaired. Yet, a square meter of area in an old apartment costs about 800-1,000 euros, while in a new apartment - 575-800 euros. Large investments will be needed to renew the interior of the old apartment (walls, ceiling, floor), plumbing and electrics, woodwork, sanitary equipment, stove etc. At the same time, the basic constitutive elements of the building – the foundation, main walls, floor, roof, stairs, etc. – which are rather worn-out, cannot be changed or renewed. In other words, the investments in a new apartment are much more efficient and the technical, economic and social advantages are evident, said Nicolae Rusu, head of the sales department of the Chisinau Municipal Mortgage Agency AMIC.