The real estate market is cracking down on short-term speculation.

According to reports from several market research firms, real estate transactions in the first quarter of this year, especially in the apartment and land segments, decreased by approximately 50-60% compared to the previous quarter. Amid fluctuating interest rates and a more cautious investment sentiment, the market is showing a shift towards genuine housing needs and products with long-term investment value, rather than the short-term speculative "waves" of the past.

Mortgage interest rates remain pegged at 13-14% per year, exceeding the financial capacity of many investors, causing real estate credit growth at some banks to slow down compared to 2025. According to a representative fromACB Bank, in the context of rising capital costs, short-term buying and selling activities have decreased significantly, and the market is gradually returning to demand for actual housing and long-term investment.

Mr. Nguyen Le Nam - Director of the Personal Banking Division, ACB Bank, assessed: "Interest rates are also a very clear filtering factor. Those who buy houses for actual residence have access to loans, while those who buy to speculate and make short-term profits have decreased significantly and are no longer seen."

In the first quarter of this year, according to data from Savills Vietnam, the apartment segment in Ho Chi Minh City recorded a decline in both primary supply and absorption rate. New supply reached only about 1,900 units, while the overall market absorption rate fell to 40%. This indicates that fluctuations in lending rates have significantly impacted market transactions.

Neil Macgregor, CEO of Savills Vietnam, commented: "Investors using high financial leverage, especially short-term investors, face increased risk as cash flow pressure may force them to sell at a loss and withdraw from the market."

In reality, while real estate credit growth has been high, it has also been accompanied by drawbacks, such as continuously rising property prices. In major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, the average price of an apartment has reached 100 million VND/m2. Therefore, government regulation is considered necessary to help the market develop more healthily and to curb speculation and short-term trading.

"Many investors are currently investing in multiple large projects simultaneously. Investors also need to balance their investments, given the volatile financial, credit, capital, and interest rate situation," said economist Can Van Luc.

In the short term, the real estate market is still under pressure regarding capital flow and liquidity. However, in the medium to long term, after a period of "filtering," the market will move towards healthier development with products that serve real needs and businesses that truly have potential.

Source: https://vtv.vn/thi-truong-bat-dong-san-siet-dau-co-ngan-han-100260520104852758.htm