xiànfáng: 现房 - Completed Property, Move-in Ready Home

• Keywords: xianfang, 现房, what is xianfang, completed property in Chinese, move-in ready home China, existing home China, Chinese real estate terms, qifang vs xianfang, buying property in China, off-plan property
• Summary: In the context of Chinese real estate, 现房 (xiànfáng) refers to a completed, move-in ready property that you can see and inspect before buying. It stands in stark contrast to a “pre-sale” property (期房, qīfáng) and is considered the much safer investment, as it eliminates the risk of construction delays or the developer going bankrupt. Understanding `现房` is essential for anyone interested in the modern Chinese economy and the cultural significance of homeownership.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiànfáng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Though not on the official HSK lists, this is an extremely high-frequency and essential term for daily life in China).
• Concise Definition: A completed and existing property that is ready for immediate sale and occupancy.
• In a Nutshell: `现房` literally means “present house.” It's the “what you see is what you get” of real estate. Unlike properties sold off-plan based on blueprints and models, a `现房` is a physical, finished building. You can walk through the exact apartment you intend to buy, check the quality, and once the deal is done, you get the keys. It represents security, tangibility, and peace of mind for Chinese homebuyers.

• 现 (xiàn): This character means “present,” “current,” or “to appear.” It's composed of 王 (wáng - king, but originally representing jade, 玉) and 见 (jiàn - to see). You can imagine the meaning as something valuable (like jade) that is now visible and present.
• 房 (fáng): This character simply means “house,” “building,” or “room.” It's a combination of the radical 户 (hù), representing a door, and 方 (fāng), which provides the sound and can mean “square” or “place.”
• Together, 现房 (xiànfáng) combines “present/visible” + “house” to mean a house that is physically present and available right now.

In modern China, owning a home is a paramount life goal, often seen as a prerequisite for marriage and a cornerstone of financial security. The real estate market is a constant topic of conversation, and the choice between a `现房` and its opposite, a `期房 (qīfáng, “future/scheduled house”)`, is a decision laden with cultural and financial weight. The Western concept of buying “off-plan” or “pre-construction” is similar to buying a `期房`. However, the risks in China can be significantly higher. In recent years, news of major real estate developers facing financial trouble and leaving behind unfinished apartment complexes (`烂尾楼, lànwěilóu`) has been widespread. Families who invested their life savings into a `期房` could be left with nothing but a concrete shell and a mountain of debt. Therefore, choosing a `现房` is more than just a preference; it's a powerful risk-mitigation strategy. It reflects a cultural value of prioritizing stability and security (`安稳, ānwěn`) over the potential for a slightly lower price or more choices that a `期房` might offer. A `现房` guarantees that the single largest investment a family makes is real, tangible, and safe from the volatility of the development market.

`现房` is a term you will encounter constantly in any discussion about property in China.

• In Real Estate: Real estate listings, advertisements, and agents will prominently feature the term. An ad might read “市区稀缺现房!” (Shìqū xīquē xiànfáng! - “Rare completed properties in the city center!”). Buyers will explicitly ask agents, “你们有现房吗?” (Nǐmen yǒu xiànfáng ma? - “Do you have any move-in ready properties?”).
• In Daily Conversation: Friends and family will ask, “你买的是现房还是期房?” (Nǐ mǎi de shì xiànfáng háishì qīfáng? - “Did you buy a completed property or a pre-sale?”). The answer reveals a lot about the buyer's risk tolerance and financial situation.
• Connotation: The term carries a strong positive and reassuring connotation. It implies safety, reliability, and immediacy. The only potential downside discussed is that `现房` properties are often more expensive and the best layouts or floors may have already been sold.

• Example 1:
  • 买现房比买期房更安全。
  • Pinyin: Mǎi xiànfáng bǐ mǎi qīfáng gèng ānquán.
  • English: Buying a completed property is safer than buying a pre-sale property.
  • Analysis: This sentence states the core benefit and most common reason for choosing a `现房`. It's a fundamental piece of advice in the Chinese property market.
• Example 2:
  • 这个楼盘现在只有期房，现房都卖完了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège lóupán xiànzài zhǐyǒu qīfáng, xiànfáng dōu mài wán le.
  • English: This development only has pre-sale units now; the completed units are all sold out.
  • Analysis: This is a typical response from a real estate agent, highlighting the high demand for the security that `现房` offers.
• Example 3:
  • 我们去看现房吧，我想亲眼看看房子的质量。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen qù kàn xiànfáng ba, wǒ xiǎng qīnyǎn kànkan fángzi de zhìliàng.
  • English: Let's go look at a completed property; I want to see the quality of the house with my own eyes.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the “what you see is what you get” aspect. The ability to personally inspect (`亲眼看看`) is a major selling point.
• Example 4:
  • 虽然现房的价格高一点，但是买得放心。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán xiànfáng de jiàgé gāo yīdiǎn, dànshì mǎi de fàngxīn.
  • English: Although the price of a completed property is a bit higher, you can buy it with peace of mind.
  • Analysis: This captures the common trade-off: paying a premium for security and avoiding anxiety (`放心`).
• Example 5:
  • 政府出台了新政策，鼓励开发商多建现房。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ chūtái le xīn zhèngcè, gǔlì kāifāshāng duō jiàn xiànfáng.
  • English: The government has introduced a new policy to encourage developers to build more completed properties for sale.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in a formal, official context related to government policy and market regulation.
• Example 6:
  • 如果你急着入住，最好选择现房。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ jízhe rùzhù, zuìhǎo xuǎnzé xiànfáng.
  • English: If you're in a hurry to move in, it's best to choose a move-in ready property.
  • Analysis: This highlights the practical benefit of immediacy. `入住 (rùzhù)` means “to move in.”
• Example 7:
  • 这套现房的采光非常好，我很满意。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tào xiànfáng de cǎiguāng fēicháng hǎo, wǒ hěn mǎnyì.
  • English: The natural lighting in this completed apartment is excellent; I'm very satisfied.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how a buyer would comment on a specific feature of a `现房` after an in-person viewing. `采光 (cǎiguāng)` is a crucial factor you can only truly judge in a finished unit.
• Example 8:
  • 购买现房可以直接办理房产证，不用等。
  • Pinyin: Gòumǎi xiànfáng kěyǐ zhíjiē bànlǐ fángchǎnzhèng, bùyòng děng.
  • English: When you buy a completed property, you can apply for the property deed directly without waiting.
  • Analysis: This points out a key legal and administrative advantage. Getting the `房产证 (fángchǎnzhèng)` or title deed quickly is a major plus.
• Example 9:
  • 听说隔壁小区的现房正在打折促销。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō gébì xiǎoqū de xiànfáng zhèngzài dǎzhé cùxiāo.
  • English: I heard the completed properties in the neighboring community are on sale.
  • Analysis: A common piece of gossip or information sharing among potential buyers. `打折促销 (dǎzhé cùxiāo)` means “discount promotion.”
• Example 10:
  • 与其冒险买期房，我宁愿多花点钱买个小一点的现房。
  • Pinyin: Yǔqí màoxiǎn mǎi qīfáng, wǒ nìngyuàn duō huā diǎn qián mǎi ge xiǎo yīdiǎn de xiànfáng.
  • English: Rather than risk buying a pre-sale property, I'd prefer to spend a bit more money to buy a smaller, completed one.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly encapsulates the risk-averse mindset. The structure `与其…宁愿…` (yǔqí… nìngyuàn…) means “rather than… I would prefer…”.

• `现房` (xiànfáng) vs. `二手房` (èrshǒufáng) - “Second-hand House”: This is the most important distinction for a learner.
  • A `现房` is any completed property. This can include brand-new, never-occupied units sold by the developer, as well as previously-owned homes.
  • An `二手房` (èrshǒufáng) is specifically a previously-owned property (“second-hand”).
  • In common usage: When people contrast `现房` with `期房` (pre-sale), they are usually referring to brand-new, developer-sold `现房`. However, technically, an `二手房` is also a type of `现房` because it is physically present and complete. The key is the context: if the comparison is about development risk, `现房` means “new and complete.” If the comparison is about previous ownership, the term `二手房` will be used.
• False Friend: “Existing Home”: While “existing home” is a good translation, it doesn't fully capture the cultural weight. In the US or UK, the choice between an existing home and a new build is often about style, location, or customization. In China, the choice between a `现房` and a `期房` is fundamentally about financial safety and risk. The English term lacks the strong connotation of “avoiding developer bankruptcy.”

• 期房 (qīfáng) - The direct antonym: a pre-sale or off-plan property that exists only on paper.
• 二手房 (èrshǒufáng) - A “second-hand” or previously-owned home. It is a sub-category of `现房`.
• 烂尾楼 (lànwěilóu) - Lit. “rotten-tail building.” An unfinished construction project, the biggest fear of `期房` buyers and the primary reason `现房` is so valued.
• 开发商 (kāifāshāng) - The real estate developer. The entity whose financial stability is a major concern when buying property.
• 交房 (jiāofáng) - The act of “handing over the property”; when the buyer officially gets the keys. With a `现房`, this is immediate. With a `期房`, it's a future date that might be delayed.
• 房产证 (fángchǎnzhèng) - The property ownership certificate or title deed. Obtaining this is much faster and more certain with a `现房`.
• 样板间 (yàngbǎnjiān) - A model home or showroom apartment. For `期房` buyers, this is often the only thing they can physically see before purchasing.
• 楼盘 (lóupán) - A real estate development or project.
• 商品房 (shāngpǐnfáng) - Commercial housing; a legal term for property built to be sold on the open market, as opposed to allocated housing. Both `现房` and `期房` are types of this.