Chapter 494: A House Priced at Eight Thousand Yuan per Square Meter

After the news broke that all four prestigious schools in Xingcheng would set up branch campuses in East River New City, external attention to East River New City surged rapidly.

Because Commonfolk Financial Investment Company had not yet begun selling East River New City's housing units externally, people had no one to consult, so they all called the customer service department of Commonfolk Agricultural Products Trading Company.

At the same time, the customer service of the e-commerce platform daily handled only issues related to East River New City, which had already severely affected the platform's after-sales service.

"Boss, you should just issue a statement explaining the situation! If we keep going like this, our company will fall into chaos." Shen Anna rubbed her forehead painfully. The business of Commonfolk Agricultural Products Trading Company already kept her busy, and now she's also been tied to the East River New City project, leaving her feeling physically and mentally a bit exhausted.

Chen Yang was still considerate of his subordinates. Shen Anna asked him to issue a notice, and he immediately posted one on the official website.

"Regarding the recent external attention to the East River New City project, our company expresses its gratitude here. However, the project team currently has no plan to sell externally. The housing units in the ongoing Phase One and Phase Two constructions will be prioritized for relocated households and internal company staff. Only if there are remaining quotas later will we consider external sales."

Shen Anna did not understand Chen Yang's announcement. "Boss, you've spent so much money—shouldn't you first recoup some costs? Why have you allocated everything to relocated households and internal staff?"

Chen Yang smiled and explained to her: "Currently, housing prices in Xingcheng are still in a slow upward phase. If I price too high, everyone will have objections; if too low, it won't be worthwhile. So the best approach is to delay for now, and only sell externally after Xingcheng's overall housing prices rise."

Shen Anna asked Chen Yang: "Boss, how long do you plan to delay?"

Chen Yang said: "At least four to five years."

Shen Anna hadn't expected Chen Yang to actually want to delay that long, and she couldn't help reminding him: "Boss, the bank interest for four or five years is not a small amount—don't get yourself into trouble."

Chen Yang laughed: "Anna, in four or five years, Xingcheng's housing prices will at least double. That bit of interest really isn't anything."

Shen Anna froze for a moment; she hadn't expected Chen Yang's psychological price to actually be eight thousand yuan per square meter!

"Boss, as far as I know, the per capita income in Xingcheng is only one thousand yuan per month. Do you think selling housing at eight thousand yuan per square meter is a bit unrealistic?"

Facing Shen Anna's skepticism, Chen Yang calmly said: "Anna, rest assured, Xingcheng's per capita income will definitely gradually increase. Eight thousand yuan per square meter is still a conservative price; it might even go higher."

Shen Anna felt Chen Yang's idea was a bit unbelievable. However, she had also done her research. Currently, the whole country is vigorously developing the real estate industry, and rising housing prices are the prevailing trend. In five years, even if East River New City cannot sell for eight thousand yuan per square meter, it won't be far off.

After all, East River New City is not only close to the East River, but its surroundings are also encircled by the province's finest educational resources. Its popularity far exceeds that of other housing projects currently under construction in Xingcheng.

However, she still had some worries: "Boss, if you set the housing price so high, even if our employees get a half-price quota, they still won't be able to afford it."

Chen Yang told Shen Anna: "If they lack funds, they can take out a bank loan. For employees who perform outstandingly and have high loyalty, the company can provide guarantees. If they truly cannot afford it, they can also transfer their quota to those in need. They can then use the money from selling the quota to buy housing in relatively cheaper projects."

Shen Anna said anxiously: "Even with a 50% discount, a 100-square-meter unit still costs 400,000 yuan! That's a considerable sum for our employees. They would need to work hard for ten years, or even longer, to own a home of their own. Would such a reality negatively affect their work enthusiasm?"

Chen Yang was very knowledgeable about Xingcheng's future housing prices; a unit priced at 400,000 yuan, especially at East River New City's location, is a sure profit with no loss.

But he currently cannot explain this issue, so he can only comfort her: "Anna, I think you're worrying too much. As the saying goes, pressure brings motivation. Precisely because the pressure to buy a home is so great, our employees will work even harder."

"Moreover, when the company's performance improves, I will also appropriately raise their wages and bonuses to help them achieve their goals sooner."

Upon hearing this, Shen Anna said nothing more. Because the basic wages of ordinary staff at Commonfolk Agricultural Products Trading Company have already risen to two thousand yuan, far exceeding Xingcheng's standard level.

According to this year's performance growth rate, wages could still increase further. By five years later, they might even double.

More importantly, the company currently does not worry about a shortage of personnel. HR Manager Luo Xue, each time she goes to the talent market to recruit, receives enough resumes to pile up into a mountain. As soon as someone leaves, a new person immediately fills the vacancy.

Thinking of this, Shen Anna also couldn't be bothered to seek out troubles for herself.

Just as she left, Liu Shijie's phone call came through.

"Chen Yang, you've poured so much funds into this, allocating all Phase One and Phase Two housing to relocated households and company employees—won't the pressure be too great?"

Chen Yang immediately replied: "Brother Jie, if you're worried my pressure is too great, try to slow down the construction speed. It would be best to delay completion by two to three years."

Liu Shijie himself is a real estate developer, so he naturally understands Chen Yang's meaning. Now the country is vigorously developing real estate; newly built commercial housing on the market is hot property. When he initially presold units in the Sunshine Garden Community, they sold at 3,500 yuan per square meter, and people thought it expensive. Now it has risen to 4,500 yuan per square meter, and instead a crowd is rushing to buy.

Following this trend, the later developers deliver the units, the higher their profit.

"Chen Yang, slowing the project a bit is fine, but I have a large crew to feed; if there's too little work, how will I pay the workers' wages?"

"Didn't I promise to build campuses for the four prestigious schools? You can shift the main force there to construct the schools. As long as the schools are built, even if Phase One construction is a bit slower, Xingcheng's residents will have the patience to wait."

"Alright, then I'll first delay Phase One construction, and start work after the schools are completed."

"However, I'm still curious: for the East River New City housing project, what price per square meter do you plan to sell at?"

"My expected target is eight thousand yuan per square meter; if it could be a bit higher, that would be even better."

"Holy cow, you little brat, you're really ruthless!" Liu Shijie, who even felt guilty selling houses at 3,500 yuan per square meter back then and tried to avoid relatives and friends when promoting them, never imagined Chen Yang's appetite would be even bigger!