Core Viewpoint - The current real estate market is experiencing a significant shift, with second-hand housing transactions surpassing new housing sales, indicating a transition from speculative investment to genuine demand for living spaces [4][16]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Many homeowners are forced to sell their properties at a loss, leading to a surge in the availability of affordable "old and broken" homes, which has attracted young buyers looking for investment opportunities [4][8]. - In major cities, second-hand housing transactions have outperformed new housing, with cities like Shanghai seeing second-hand sales at 5.3 times that of new homes [4][5]. - The adjustment in the market is viewed as a necessary clearing of the previous real estate bubble, allowing genuine demand to surface [4][16]. Group 2: Price Adjustments - As of July 2024, second-hand housing prices in first-tier cities have returned to 2016 levels, with significant price drops creating a favorable environment for buyers [10]. - For instance, in Guangzhou, the average price of second-hand homes fell from 29,300 yuan per square meter to 20,900 yuan per square meter, a decrease of over 8,000 yuan per square meter [13]. - The rental yield has also improved, with the rental return rate in key cities reaching 2.08%, indicating potential investment opportunities as prices stabilize [13][15]. Group 3: Buyer Behavior - The current market conditions have led to an increase in the number of motivated sellers, providing buyers with more options and better negotiation power [15]. - The trend of "buying old and broken homes" is not limited to self-occupiers but also includes investors seeking financial opportunities [14][15]. - The shift towards second-hand homes is attributed to their clear ownership and immediate availability, contrasting with the uncertainties associated with new developments [15]. Group 4: Economic Implications - The transition in the real estate market is seen as a critical factor for broader economic stability, as real estate constitutes a significant portion of household assets in China [18][19]. - The need for policy adjustments is emphasized, suggesting a shift from suppressing housing prices to supporting price stability to stimulate overall economic demand [18]. - The ultimate goal is to ensure that housing becomes accessible to more ordinary families, which could lead to a sustainable increase in economic vitality and consumer spending [19].

Core Viewpoint - The real estate market is undergoing a significant adjustment, with a shift from speculative buying to genuine demand for housing, leading to a surge in second-hand property transactions over new ones in major cities [2][20][25]. Group 1: Market Trends - Many homeowners are forced to sell properties at a loss, leading to a significant drop in prices for older, less desirable homes, which are now seen as more affordable options [2][5]. - In key cities, second-hand home transactions have outpaced new home sales, with cities like Shanghai and Beijing seeing second-hand sales at 5.3 times and 4.8 times the volume of new homes, respectively [2][3]. - The adjustment is viewed as a necessary clearing of the previous real estate bubble, allowing genuine buyers to find opportunities [2][20]. Group 2: Price Dynamics - As of July 2024, second-hand home prices in first-tier cities have returned to levels seen in 2016, indicating a significant price correction [7]. - In Guangzhou, the average price of second-hand homes dropped from 29,300 yuan per square meter to 20,900 yuan per square meter, a decrease of over 8,000 yuan per square meter [9]. - The rental yield for second-hand properties is increasing, with a notable example being a rental return rate of 4% for a property purchased for 1.2 million yuan in Beijing [11][12]. Group 3: Buyer Behavior - The current market conditions have attracted not only first-time homebuyers but also investors looking for financial opportunities in real estate [10][19]. - The increase in second-hand property listings has provided buyers with more options, allowing them to negotiate better deals [18]. - The trend of homeowners urgently selling their properties has created a favorable environment for buyers to find bargains [6][18]. Group 4: Policy Implications - The shift in the market from speculation to genuine demand supports the idea that future policies should focus on stabilizing housing prices rather than suppressing them [23][24]. - The current market dynamics are seen as a foundation for future economic recovery, with real estate stability being crucial for overall economic health [22][28].