Combined index falls to 125.0
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that the seasonally adjusted existing home sales volume index for detached houses and condominiums fell 3.5% from April to 125.0 in May 2026. Excluding units smaller than 30 square meters, the combined index was 114.3, down 2.9%. Detached houses declined 3.4% to 124.6, condominiums fell 4.4% to 124.2 and condominiums excluding sub-30-square-meter units declined 4.1% to 100.2.
The series includes investment properties
The index is based on ownership-transfer registrations for existing homes acquired by individuals. It includes some properties, such as second homes, vacation homes and investment units, that are not fully captured in other housing statistics. Because transactions involving condominium units under 30 square meters have become significant, the ministry publishes condominium data both including and excluding these smaller units. This makes the series useful for monitoring transaction activity in the small investment-condominium segment.
Sellers should watch liquidity as well as prices
For owners considering a sale, market liquidity can be as important as headline price levels. A high-priced market with declining transaction volume may result in longer marketing periods or greater negotiation over price. Rising volumes, by contrast, can indicate a deeper pool of buyers. Foreign owners also need to incorporate practical issues such as identity verification, registration, taxation and international remittance into the sale schedule rather than choosing timing solely on the basis of market prices.