2023 Highlights for Real Estate Appraisal, Brokerage and Housing Rental Industry

On January 17^th, The 25^th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13^th CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) National Committee Approved the list of members of the 14^th National Committee. Dr. Chai Qiang, President of the CIREA, elected as a member of the 14^th CPPCC  National Committee and member of the Economic Committee.

On February 15^th, The United Front Work Department of CPC Central Committee held a joint meeting on the united front work of new social classes. Mr. Zhao Xinming, Vice President and Secretary-General of CIREA, participated as a representative of the member units of the joint meeting and made a speech as one of the representatives of the two national industry organizations to exchange experiences.

On February 17^th, Kuaishou's total transaction volume for real estate business exceeded 10 billion RMB in 2022, and the "livestreaming house selling" model and how to regulate this new model have been widely concerned and discussed within the industry.

On March 31^st, based on credit profile information submitted by 1047 first-tier real estate appraisal companies for 2022, CIREA released a comprehensive report of the national first-tier real estate appraisal companies in 2022, including overall rankings, individual rankings, and details on different types of appraisal business.

On March 31^st, the 23rd National Blue Book Conference announced the results of the 13th "Excellent Blue Book Award", with《Blue Book of Real Estate: Annual Report On The Development Of China's Real Estate No.18 (2021)》, co-edited by CIREA and the National Future Cities Laboratory of CASS  （Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), won the second prize.

On April 11^th, CIREA had the fourth session of the fourth Council and the fifth session of the Standing Council in Beijing, studied the report with the main work, the financial situation, and the next phase of crucial work ideas since the third session of the fourth Council. Reviewed and approved the list of the second batch of senior members，and noted the council  members' opinions and suggestions on the development of  CIREA  and the industry.

On April 11^th, CIREA announced the second batch of 161 senior members.

On April 12^th, the 2023 China Housing Rental Developing Forum successfully held in Beijing, with the theme of "Housing Rental under the Latest Developing Pattern," joint by CIREA with China Construction News and CCB Housing Services Co., Ltd. The event aimed to deeply study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, to fulfill the deployment of the national housing and urban-rural development work conference, to explore new development models for the real estate industry, and to promote high-quality development of the housing rental industry.

On April 18^th, CIREA attended the opening ceremony of a seminar dedicated to study and implement President Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 20^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The seminar was held in Beijing. Mr. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. The ceremony was chaired by Mr. Shi Taifeng, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department.  Leaders from Central Committee of various democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of non-party, and non -CPC leaders with ministerial rank from central government and provincial, district, and municipal governments attended the ceremony. Zhao Xinming, the Party Branch Secretary, Vice President, and Secretary-General of CIREA, participated in the opening ceremony as a representative of the new social class.

On April 22^nd, 2023 National Symposium for Well-Known Real Estate Appraisal Organizations was held in Chuzhou. Dr. Chai Qiang, President of CIREA, and Mr. Zhao Xinming, Vice President and Secretary-General of CIREA attended the meeting. Leaders from the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Anhui Province, Anhui Real Estate Association, and representatives from over 20 well-known real estate appraisal companies nationwide. The participants exchanged ideas on real estate appraisal companies developing under new circumstances.

On April 27^th, The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued " Opinions on Regulating  Real Estate Brokerage Services" Housing Regulation [2023] No. 2),The requirements of regulating real estate brokerage services are put forward from 10 aspects, such as strengthening the management of practitioners, clarifying the contents  of brokerage services, reasonably determining brokerage service charges, and enhancing personal information protection.

On May 27^th-28^th, in the first half of 2023, the national professional qualification examination for real estate brokerage professionals was successfully held in 11 pilot cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Totally 19,017 candidates registered in the first half of 2023 examination  and with a number of 4,696 passed; the number of applicants for the real estate Agents assistant qualification exam was 14,274, , with a number of 5,771 passed. 

On July 24^th, Meeting of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee made a significant judgment: to adapt the new situation of major changes in the supply and demand relationship in China's real estate market. The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to effectively prevent risks g in critical areas, adapt to the new situation of major changes in the supply and demand relationship in China's real estate market, adjust and optimize real estate policies in a timely manner, apply policies tailored to different cities, use a good policy toolbox to better meet the rigid and improved housing needs of residents, and promote the stable and healthy development of the real estate market. It emphasized increasing the construction and supply of affordable housing, actively promoting the renovation of urban villages and the construction of "dual-use" public infrastructure for both regular and emergency uses, and put all types of idle properties to good use.

On August 8^th, CIREA issued the social organization standard-Real Estate Agent Professionals Registration Certificate  (Electronic License Specification T/CIREA JJ001-2023), laying the foundation for the promotion and dynamic update of Real Estate Agent Professionals  Registration Certificate, the information construction and digital transformation of the real estate agents industry, and data docking and information sharing with the national integrated online government service platform，which is of great significance for improving the efficiency and convenience of the registration services for real estate agents professionals.

On August 25^th, the Guidelines on Planning and Construction of Affordable Housing was approved by the State Council's executive meeting, which clearly required that proper planning and design for affordable housing, promoting construction through reform and innovation, ensuring the quality of housing construction, and focusing on strengthening the construction of supporting facilities and the supply of public services.

On September 6^th, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development held a joint meeting in Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province. During the meeting, Mr. Qin Haixiang,Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, visited the rural tourism viewing platform project of Bali Village, Xunrang Township, Datong County, which was supported by CIREA.

Between September 7^th and 8^th, in order to support the development of the real estate appraisal industry in Tibet Autonomous Region, to improve the level of local judicial real estate appraisal business, and ensure the quality of judicial real estate appraisal, CIREA held a continuing education training course in Lhasa, and more than 40 real estate appraisers from the Tibet Autonomous Region participated in the training.

During September 20^th to 27^th,Mr. Zhao Xinming, Vice President and Secretary-General of CIREA, led a delegation to visit some representative industry organizations and companies in Malaysia and Singapore, including the Malaysia Institute of Estate Agents, the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers, the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore, Cushman & Wakefield, and ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd, which helped a comprehensive understanding of the real estate agent industry in Malaysia and Singapore, the situation of real estate appraisal business, and the development of HDB flats in Singapore .

On September 26^th, LIANJIA in Beijing adjusted its fee standards for real estate brokerage service, reducing the commission rate from 2.7% of the total transaction price of the property to 2%, and changing the fee model from being paid solely by the buyer to being shared by both the buyer and seller, each bearing 1%.

On October 19^th,A seminar between four municipalities appraisal industry Association was held in Tianjin, which bye Tianjin Real Estate Appraisers Association and the Tianjin Land Valuation Association. Dr. Chai Qiang, President of CIREA, was invited to attend the conference. Leaders of the four municipalities’ industry associations from Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing discussed how to standardize the management of branch offices and control the vicious price suppression of appraisal companies.

On October 26^th,Guidelines for protecting client personal information in Real Estate Agents Services (T/CIREA JJ002-2023), was issued, which marks the first social organization standard on the personal information protection in the industry, significantly contributing to raising awareness, standardizing personal information processing, enhancing personal information protection measures, and protect the rights and interests of clients' personal information.

Between October 28^th and 29^th, in the second half of 2023, the national professional qualification examination for real estate brokerage professionals was successfully held in 37 pilot cities. Totally 43,697 candidates registered for the professional Qualification Examination for Real Estate Agents, with a number of 11,292 passed; the number of applicants for the real estate Agents assistant qualification exam was 29,193, with a number of 10,900 passed.

On October 30^th, CIREA promoted the establishment of Housing Rental Symposium for the first time at the 2023 World Cities Day China Observance, which was Successfully held and fully recognized by all parties. CIREA and the Zhejiang University of Technology co-organized the symposium with the theme "Sharing Sustainable Urban Future –A Road for High-Quality Housing Rental Development." Mr. Li Zhe, Deputy Director-General of the Finance Planning and Foreign Affairs Department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ms. Leng Yuying, Deputy Director-General of Shanghai Housing Management Bureau, and Dr. Chai Qiang, President of CIREA, attended and gave speeches.

On November 4^th, the 2023 China Real Estate Academic Annual Conference was successfully held by CIREA and Zhejiang University of Technology. Hosted by the China Housing and Real Estate Research Institute of Zhejiang University of Technology, the 2023 China Real Estate Academic Annual Conference and the 16th College Real Estate Scholars Professional Seminar were held in Zhejiang University of Technology, with the theme "Real Estate Innovation and High-Quality Development Towards Chinese-Style Modernization." Mr. Li Xiaolong, Director-General of the Real Estate Market Supervision Department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Dr. Chai Qiang, President of the CIREA; Mr. Zhao Xinming, Vice President and Secretary-General of CIREA; Mr. Cai Yuanqiang, Party Secretary of Zhejiang University of Technology; Ms. Yu Xiaofen, Vice President of CIREA and Vice Chancellor of Zhejiang University of Technology attended the conference. Dr. Chai Qiang, President of CIREA, delivered a keynote speech titled "Understanding and Adapting to the General Trends of Real Estate Development." The conference set up special forums and sub-forums, with over 270 experts and scholars from universities and research institutions nationwide participating.

On November 10^th, in order to scientifically and reasonably determine the economic value of historic preservation buildings, to standardize valuation practices, and promote the rational use of historic protection buildings, CIREA drafted the social organization standard Technical Guidelines for the Valuation of Historic Preservation Buildings (Draft for Comments)  and sought opinions from the public.

Between November 12^th and 13^th, the national Professional Qualification Examination for Real Estate Appraisers was successfully held in 32 examination areas nationwide across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. This is the first Professional Qualification Examination for Real Estate Appraisers under the New Professional Qualification System for Real Estate Appraisers, with the marking process being fully electronic and paperless for the first time, ensuring the objective and accurate marking of the papers. In 2023, Totally 36378 candidates registered for the 2023 Professional Qualification Examination for Real Estate Appraisers, with a number of 30241attended, with 91,888 registered for four subjects and hit a record high; the number of qualified is 6,019, accounting for 19.90% of the candidates.

On December 8^th, the annual Conference of 24th National Blue Book announced the results of the 2022 Book Award results, Blue Book of Real Estate: Annual Report On The Development Of China's Real Estate No.19(2022) , co-edited by CIREA and the National Future Cities Laboratory of the CASS（Chinese Academy of Social Sciences）, won the first prize of the "Excellent Book Award ", being the only industry economy category report. 

Between December 17^th and 20^th, Dr. Chai Qiang, President of CIREA, invited by the Macau Property Developers Association,  led a delegation to Macau for research，and communicated with the Research Office of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Macau Property Developers Association, the Macau Real Estate Companies Association, and the Macau Real Estate Appraisers Association, and Centerline Property Macau, learning about the basic housing system in Macau as well as the situation of  real estate agents, appraisal, and housing rental industries.

On December 25^th, CIREA held the first face-to-face continuing education training course for real estate agent professionals in Beijing. In order to guide the majority of real estate agency to standardize their service behaviors, to improve the service quality, and effectively avoid legal risks intheir activities.

On December 26^th, CIREA held a symposium on Real Estate Agents Industry. Mr. Li Xiaolong, Director-General of the Real Estate Market Supervision Department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Mr. Shao Ting, Director of the Transaction, Leasing, and Property Rights Management Department; Dr. Chai Qiang, President of CIREA; Mr. Zhao Xinming, Vice President and Secretary-General of CIREA, attended the meeting. Leaders from 12 top real estate agencies and internet platforms participated in the conference, and discussed the situation of real estate market, the implementation of the "Opinions on Regulating Real estate brokerage Services by the General Administration of Market Supervision and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development " (Housing Regulation [2023] No. 2)), and the situation of real estate agent industry development.

On December 26^th, CIREA held the sixth session of the fourth Standing Council in Beijing, reviewing the main work carried out in 2023 and the main work plan for 2024. Standing council members provided suggestions on real estate appraisal, brokerage, housing rental industries, and the development of CIREA.

On December 27^th, CIREA held the 2023 Annual Conference of China Real Estate Appraisal in Beijing with the theme of "Internal Governance and High-quality Sustainable Development". The conference aimed to guide the majority of real estate appraisal companies to continuously strengthen their internal control systems, to improve governance capacity, to prevent and resolve risks, and to achieve high-quality, sustainable development of  the industry. More than 600 principals of real estate appraisal companies, local organizations, and representatives of internationally renowned real estate consulting companies across China attended the conference.