广播听力：Beijing second-hand housing market booms

Reporter:
A total of 36 thousand units of second-hand properties in Beijing were sold in the first quarter this year, which doubles last year's first quarter sales. But the city's new residences only increased slightly.

Hu Jinghui of housing agency 5i5j says:(www.hXen.com)

"Many new commercial residences were put onto the market in March. But the volumes and sales are still lower than that of the same period of previous years."

Hu Jinghui says a larger number of customers do not care for new apartments anymore.

"Apartments in business areas, near high quality schools and around subways are the most popular. Whether the apartment is new is not their prior concern any more."

With land in Beijing becoming more scarce, it is inevitable that sales of second-hand housing will surpass sales of first-hand.

Some experts think housing needs of newly weds has also stimulated the second-hand market. Xu Xiaoye of housing website Soufun.com says:

"Most newly wed couples didn't have an apartment before, so their need is more urgent. After one year's waiting, they think it is time to buy."

The average price of second-hand housing is less than 9,000 yuan, while that of new ones is more than 14 thousand yuan. Wang Yingnan of Yahao Real Estate Company says:

"Most commercial residences are on discount and some high quality ones are relatively expensive. It is convenient for customers to choose these prices as reference."

According to the report released by Beijing Academy of Social Sciences this Tuesday, some 50,000 low-income houses will complete construction next year, which will bring down the housing price drastically in Beijing.

Zhou Jing, CRI News