Townhouse Share Falls to 14.9%, Hitting Record Low
Data compiled by the CTBC Housing Research Division from the financial Joint Credit Information Center shows that as of the first half of this year, nationwide townhouse residential mortgage applications fell to 14.9%, a record low; elevator apartments rose to 67.9%, a record high. Converted, of every 10 home loans, nearly 7 were for elevator apartments and fewer than 2 were for townhouses. Compared with the first half of 2017, over nearly 10 years the elevator-apartment share has increased by about 16.6 percentage points, while townhouses have decreased by about 10.3 percentage points, showing elevator apartments have become the mainstream home purchase.
Total-Price Threshold and Affordability Are Key
莊思敏, deputy manager of the CTBC Housing Research Division, noted that the shift in shares reflects not only product preferences, but also housing-price burdens, living amenities, and changes in household structure. In terms of total price, townhouses have larger floor areas and higher land持分, with relatively higher total prices, placing heavier down-payment and mortgage pressure on budget buyers and first-time buyers. By comparison, elevator apartments offer a diverse range of floor areas and total-price segments, with a more flexible entry threshold that better meets the needs of different budget groups.
Convenience Fits Small-Family Needs
In terms of living convenience, elevator apartments offer community management, parcel collection, elevator access, and centralized garbage handling, with no need to climb stairs or chase garbage trucks, making them attractive to nine-to-five office workers, dual-income families, and seniors. In addition, with the spread of small families and the single-person economy, home-buying demand has shifted from pursuing large floor areas to emphasizing space layout and use efficiency, a trend that elevator-apartment products match well.
Home Selection Should Return to Needs and Finances
莊思敏 said both product types have advantages and disadvantages, and home buying should return to living needs, financial capacity, and long-term asset planning. When choosing an elevator apartment, buyers should pay attention to community management quality, maintenance of common facilities, elevator equipment, parking-space allocation, and management-fee burdens; for older buildings, they should also verify building structure, pipeline renewal, exterior-wall and waterproofing maintenance, and whether the public fund is sufficient. Although the townhouse share has declined, those located in metropolitan prime districts with high land持分 and good locations offer greater owner-occupier flexibility, with land retaining value-preservation and redevelopment potential.