Core Insights - The article highlights the struggles faced by the post-80s and post-90s generations in the context of the real estate market, emphasizing the disparity between effort and reward in their pursuit of homeownership [1][5][12] Group 1: Societal Expectations and Reality - The younger generations have been raised with the belief that hard work leads to stability and homeownership, following a traditional life path of education, employment, and family formation [3] - Despite their adherence to societal norms, many individuals find themselves in dire situations due to the timing of their real estate purchases, particularly those who bought homes at peak prices [11][12] Group 2: Real Estate Market Dynamics - The years 2020 to 2022 marked a peak in housing prices, coinciding with a significant number of homebuyers entering the market, leading to a situation where many are now facing financial losses [8][10] - Data indicates that from 2018 to 2021, real estate sales remained high at around 1.7 billion square meters annually, but this figure plummeted to 1.36 billion square meters in 2022 and is projected to drop further to 0.98 billion square meters in 2024 [10] Group 3: Impact on Homebuyers - Approximately 50 million families purchased homes during the peak years, many of whom are now experiencing significant financial strain as property values have declined [10] - The article illustrates the plight of first-time homebuyers who entered the market during the peak, highlighting a specific case of a young individual who, despite following societal expectations, found himself in a precarious financial situation due to market timing [11][12]