They focused on three points: the area, the location, and the price.
As Liu Yifeng and the others diligently tallied the information, the crowd grew anxious.
Soon, they would know if their homes had been selected. This waiting period was the most agonizing.
Out of the one hundred and six submitted forms, fifty were immediately disqualified.
The reasons were simple: the area was too small, less than a hundred square meters; the location was poor, offering little potential for appreciation; or the price demanded was too high, exceeding their purchasing criteria.
After all, their goal was to maximize their profit, not to engage in charity.
Those whose submissions were rejected left one by one, their faces etched with disappointment.
However, Liu Yifeng and his team could not be held responsible; they lacked the means and capacity to purchase every single home.
Soon, they had identified the properties they wished to acquire.
For those whose names had not yet been called, their hearts pounded in their chests.
Having cleared the first hurdle, it would be a tragedy to falter at the second.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on Liu Yifeng and his companions, their eyes not daring to blink, lest they miss any crucial information.
Liu Yifeng looked at the assembled crowd and said in a deep voice, "I apologize for keeping you all waiting for such a long time.
We have compiled the submitted forms, and only twenty-eight applicants have been selected. Those whose names I call next may now leave."
What was inevitable could not be avoided. The people took a deep breath, as if awaiting their sentence.
Silence fell as no one wished to hear their name.
With only twenty-eight spots available, it meant half of the applicants would be eliminated; the odds of not being chosen were overwhelmingly high.
Sighs of resignation filled the air, the thought of when their homes might finally be sold again a distant, uncertain prospect.
Once everyone had quieted down, Liu Yifeng began to read the names.
Over fifty pairs of eyes were glued to him, each individual dreading the sound of their own name.
Liu Yifeng picked up the discarded forms and began to call out the names listed on them.
"Ma Li, Zeng Hongshan, Zhao Jing, Xiong Yongzhi..."
Like an emotionless machine, he rattled off twenty-eight names in one go.
With each name called, those not selected felt a surge of relief.
By the time Liu Yifeng finished reading all the names, the remaining twenty-eight were overjoyed, nearly jumping for joy.
This meant their homes were finally going to be sold.
Conversely, those whose names were called wilted like lettuce in frost. They had waited years for this day.
To finally have an opportunity to sell their homes, only to be eliminated like this, how could they accept it?
Therefore, they did not leave, intending to plead their case after Liu Yifeng had finished announcing the names.
"Esteemed buyers, the quality of our homes is impeccable, and many of the furnishings are new.
If you feel our asking price is too high, we are open to negotiation.
You cannot simply eliminate us like this. We have been busy since morning until midday trying to sell our homes to you; surely, we deserve an explanation?"
"Exactly. We don't even know what prices you've offered others. Why don't you tell us your best offer and see if we can accept it?"
...
The voices mingled, a cacophony that gave Liu Yifeng a headache.
He stated firmly, "The rules were set from the beginning, and your asking prices were higher than others. You cannot blame us for this.
Furthermore, we are not immensely wealthy. We cannot possibly buy all of your homes. We hope you can accept reality.
If I were to go back on my word now, it would mean eliminating some of those already selected, which would be unfair to them."
"That's right! We were chosen because our prices were lower. You were too greedy, trying to squeeze every last drop out of them!"
The selected buyers chimed in, speaking on behalf of Liu Yifeng and his group. They were eager to sign the contracts.
They feared that any delay might lead to unforeseen complications, turning their joy into disappointment.
The others remained persistent. "You've already bought so many houses, you surely wouldn't mind buying a few more. We are all willing to lower our prices; just take our houses too!"
"Everyone, please listen. I understand your desire to sell your homes and move.
I promise you that if I have any friends looking to buy here in the future, I will recommend you." Liu Yifeng soothed them.
"You said it! If someone does come to buy, be sure to recommend us!" one of them urged, not entirely convinced.
Liu Yifeng nodded, "Absolutely. I have all your forms. I will call you if there's a need."
With Liu Yifeng's assurance, the mood of the group improved somewhat.
Whether it was true or not, their hope had not been extinguished, and they had something to look forward to.
After Liu Yifeng's repeated assurances, those not selected reluctantly departed.
Those who remained, however, were all smiles.
Chen Xiufen, in particular, was delighted to find that most of her relatives had been selected.
It was worth noting that no homes in their district had been sold in three years.
After the crowd had dispersed, Liu Yifeng announced, "Since we haven't brought enough cash with us, how about we sign the contracts this afternoon?"
"That won't do. What if you don't come back this afternoon? We can sign the contracts first, and once the ownership transfer is complete, you can pay us the full amount!" Chen Xiufen immediately proposed.
With something concrete in writing, even without a deposit, they could prevent any denial.
The others agreed with this approach. The contract was their guarantee; with a contract in hand, they had nothing to fear.
Liu Yifeng had no objections. He was determined to buy these properties.
His earlier suggestion of a deposit and afternoon signing was merely to ensure they wouldn't refuse to sign if they didn't have the money.
Now that they were willing to sign without immediate payment, there was nothing more to discuss.
"Very well. I have also printed out the purchase agreements. Please fill them out, sign them, and add your thumbprints, and the contracts will be effective."
As Liu Yifeng spoke, he returned to his car and retrieved the purchase agreements.
Fortunately, he had printed many copies; otherwise, they wouldn't have been enough.
When they had identified the properties they wanted, they had collectively calculated how many homes they could afford based on their assets.
Liu Kaichen had approximately 750,000 yuan. A 180-square-meter home priced at 2,200 yuan per square meter would cost around 800,000 yuan. With a little more cash, he could afford two such properties.
Su Wanru had 4.4 million yuan in liquid assets. A 200-square-meter home, priced at 2,200 yuan per square meter, would allow her to purchase ten units.
Wan Hui had 3.2 million yuan. Homes ranging from 180 to 200 square meters would allow him to buy eight properties.
The combined total of properties purchased by the three of them was twenty. The twenty-eight selected individuals owned a total of thirty-four properties.
The remaining fourteen properties were perfectly within Liu Yifeng's budget for full purchase.
At around 2,200 yuan per square meter, the price was exceptionally low.
Prime city center real estate had once sold for as high as 8,000 to 9,000 yuan per square meter.
Even though these properties were seven to eight kilometers from the city center and were twenty years old, a price of 2,200 yuan per square meter was incredibly cheap. This was the ideal time to buy.
They were confident of a substantial profit once the area was redeveloped.
The day's work concluded at noon with the signing of all the contracts. Liu Yifeng promised to proceed with the property transfers at the real estate bureau the following day.
Once the ownership was transferred, the money would be immediately deposited into their accounts.
Conveniently, Wan Hui knew someone who worked at the real estate bureau. A prior arrangement would allow them to complete the transfer of all the houses in a single day, saving considerable effort.
Indeed, in this era, connections were more valuable than money.
Before departing, Liu Yifeng issued one final instruction: "After the procedures are completed, I request that you vacate the premises within three days. Please leave everything as it is, except for your valuables.
Additionally, if your homes are currently rented out, please inform your tenants to vacate within half a month.
We will be inspecting the properties, and if we find any evidence of deliberate damage, you will be held liable for compensation!"