MarketOctober 28, 20261 min readAI translation

Elevator Buildings Reach Record 67.9% of Home Loan Applications, While Townhouses Hit Record-Low 14.9%

In the first half of 2026, elevator buildings' share of home loans nationwide climbed to an all-time high, while townhouses' share fell to an all-time low.

In three sentences

Based on Joint Credit Information Center data compiled by the CTBC Real Estate Research and Development Office, elevator buildings accounted for 67.9% of home loan applications nationwide in the first half of 2026, a record high.
In the first half of 2026, townhouses' share of home loan applications nationwide fell to 14.9%, down 10.3 percentage points from the first half of 2017.
Zhuang Si-min, assistant manager of the CTBC Real Estate Research and Development Office, said the shifting shares of the two housing types are linked to home price burdens, living amenities and household structure.

In the first half of 2017, townhouses accounted for 25.2% of home loan applications nationwide. By the first half of 2026, the share had dropped to 14.9%, a record low. The share of walk-up apartments also declined over the same period.

The share of elevator buildings in home loan applications climbed to 67.9%, up 16.6 percentage points from the first half of 2017. In other words, about 7 of every 10 home loans are for elevator buildings.

Zhuang Si-min, assistant manager of the CTBC Real Estate Research and Development Office, analyzed that townhouses have large floor areas and a large land share, which makes total prices high, and it is not easy for young buyers on limited budgets and first-time buyers to prepare enough down payment and take on a mortgage. With elevator buildings, buyers can choose the size and total price range according to their needs, so the entry threshold is more flexible.

Zhuang Si-min pointed out that elevator buildings offer services such as community management, parcel receiving, elevator access and centralized garbage handling, which are more appealing to office workers, dual-income households and older people. As small families and single-person households increase, home choices have also shifted from pursuing large floor areas to valuing layout design and efficient use of space.

Zhuang Si-min also said that a declining share does not mean asset values are falling too. For townhouses in prime urban areas with a high land share, the land may still hold its value or offer room for rebuilding.

What it means for you

For those considering an elevator building, Zhuang Si-min reminds buyers to check the quality of community management, maintenance of shared facilities, the condition of the elevators, parking arrangements and the management fee burden. For older properties, buyers should also check the building structure, piping renewal, exterior wall waterproofing, and whether the community's public fund is sufficient.

Quick quiz

2 questions; pick an answer to see the explanation

In the first half of 2026, what was the share of elevator buildings in home loan applications nationwide?
Compared with the first half of 2017, by how much did townhouses' share of home loan applications nationwide decline?

Image cards

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Elevator buildings' share of loans hits a record high. What types of homes are people with mortgages buying?
How much have the shares of elevator buildings and townhouses changed,
how does the industry interpret it, and what can you check before buying an elevator building. — Card 1

What happened?: Elevator buildings' share of home loan applications hits a record high. In the first half of 2026, elevator buildings accounted for 67.9% of home loan applications; a record high, with about 7 of every 10 loans for elevator buildings; townhouses fell to 14.9%, a record low — Card 2

Compared with 2017: how big is the rise and the fall?. The comparison base is the first half of 2017; elevator buildings up about 16.6 percentage points; townhouses down from 25.2% to 14.9%; townhouses down 10.3 percentage points in total — Card 3

How does the industry see it?: CTBC Real Estate points to three reasons. Zhuang Si-min, assistant manager at CTBC Real Estate, points to three reasons:; Home price burden: townhouses have higher total prices, and the down payment pressure is considerable; Living amenities: elevator buildings offer conveniences such as community management and elevators; Household structure: small families and single-person households are increasing, with an emphasis on efficient use of space — Card 4

Check for yourself before buying: the checklist Zhuang Si-min reminds buyers of. Quality of community management, maintenance of shared facilities; condition of elevator equipment, parking space arrangements, management fees; older properties: confirm building structure and piping renewal; also check exterior wall waterproofing and whether the public fund is sufficient — Card 5

Questions to ask when viewing a home: 1. What is this community's monthly management fee? What services does it include? 2. When were the elevators and shared facilities last repaired? 3. How much is the public fund's current balance? Is there a major repair plan?. Remember to ask the other party to provide written documents or meeting minutes for the answers you get. — Card 6

Original：鉅亨網 · We only post summaries and key points. Read the original for the full story.

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