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Seoul’s real estate market is increasingly defined by transactions under 1.5 billion won, with nearly nine out of ten apartment sales in the city falling below that threshold this month, according to data released Wednesday.

The shift reflects a tightening of lending regulations and a corresponding decrease in purchasing power for higher-priced properties. Government measures introduced in June and October of last year, collectively known as the ‘6·27’ and ‘10·15’ policies, capped mortgage limits for homes in the Seoul metropolitan area and other regulated zones at a maximum of 600 million won. This has effectively priced many potential buyers out of the upper end of the market.

Analysis of data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s real estate transaction system reveals that approximately 87.2% of apartment sales completed this month were for properties valued at 1.5 billion won or less. This trend has been building, with over 80% of sales falling into this category for the past two consecutive months, according to YTN. The Korea Real Estate Board reported 975 apartment transactions in Seoul this month through February 18th, with 850 of those (87.2%) being under 1.5 billion won.

The change is particularly pronounced when looking at overall sales volume. Approximately 81.4% of the 5,684 apartments sold in Seoul in January were priced at or below 1.5 billion won. This represents a significant increase from previous periods, indicating a clear preference for more affordable housing options.

Industry analysts suggest the trend is likely to continue as long as current lending restrictions remain in place. The stricter loan-to-value (LTV) ratios have made it more difficult for buyers to secure financing for expensive properties, leading them to focus on lower-priced alternatives. News1 reported that 87% of prospective buyers are now prioritizing properties within the 600 million won mortgage limit.

The shift towards lower-priced apartments is also impacting the types of properties being sold. Areas with a higher concentration of affordable housing, such as the Guro Hanmaul complex, have seen increased transaction volumes. The Joseilbo reported that Guro Hanmaul was the top-selling complex in December.

The government has not yet commented on the implications of this trend and no immediate changes to the existing lending regulations are anticipated. Further data releases are expected to provide a more comprehensive picture of the evolving dynamics of Seoul’s real estate market.

France – La situation reste tendue dans plusieurs régions de l’ouest de la France alors que la tempête Pedro approche, exacerbant les risques de crues et d’inondations. Quatre départements – le Maine-et-Loire, la Charente-Maritime, la Gironde et le Lot-et-Garonne – sont maintenus en vigilance rouge crues, le niveau d’alerte maximal, par Vigicrues et Météo-France. Neuf autres départements sont en alerte orange pour les crues ou les pluies-inondations, signalant un risque important de débordements et de perturbations.

La vigilance rouge, qui concerne les risques de crues, est particulièrement critique dans ces quatre départements où les niveaux d’eau continuent de monter. Les autorités locales mettent en œuvre des plans d’urgence, notamment des évacuations préventives, pour protéger les populations et les biens. La tempête Pedro, qui arrive par la Bretagne et la façade atlantique, apporte avec elle de nouvelles pluies conséquentes sur des sols déjà saturés, aggravant la situation.

Situation critique en Charente-Maritime

La ville de Saintes, en Charente-Maritime, est particulièrement touchée par les inondations. Le niveau de l’eau devrait atteindre les 6,40 mètres en fin d’après-midi, un niveau considéré comme “historique”, comparable aux crues de 1982 ou 1994, selon le préfet de Charente-Maritime, Brice Blondel according to 20 Minutes. Plusieurs rues sont inaccessibles, et des centaines d’habitants ont été évacués et pris en charge par la Croix-Rouge. Au moins 2 000 logements ont été inondés sur la commune de Saintes, et des coupures d’électricité généralisées ont été signalées.

Tempête Pedro : pluies et vents violents attendus

La tempête Pedro devrait apporter des cumuls de pluie de 30 à 50 mm sur l’ensemble de l’épisode, avec des pics locaux pouvant atteindre 60 millimètres as reported by 20 Minutes. En plus des pluies, des vents violents et de fortes vagues sont également attendus sur le littoral Atlantique, avec une vigilance orange “vagues-submersions” qui sera en vigueur jeudi. La Charente, le Finistère, l’Ille-et-Vilaine, les Landes, la Loire-Atlantique, le Morbihan, la Sarthe, le Tarn-et-Garonne et la Vendée sont en vigilance orange crues ou pluie-inondation.

Un contexte météorologique exceptionnel

Cet épisode de mauvaises conditions météorologiques s’inscrit dans un contexte plus large de précipitations continues en France. Il pleut au moins un jour sur le territoire français depuis 36 jours consécutifs. Les 16 premiers jours de février ont été les plus pluvieux observés en France depuis 1959, avec un cumul de pluie dépassant 110 millimètres according to BFMTV. Cette saturation des sols rend les régions particulièrement vulnérables aux inondations.

Les autorités appellent à la vigilance et recommandent aux habitants des zones concernées de suivre attentivement les consignes de sécurité, d’éviter les déplacements inutiles et de ne pas s’engager sur les routes inondées. Des informations régulières seront diffusées par Météo-France et les services départementaux.

La situation reste évolutive et les prochains jours seront cruciaux pour évaluer l’ampleur des dégâts et les besoins en assistance. Les services de secours sont mobilisés pour faire face aux conséquences de ces intempéries et assurer la sécurité des populations.

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Philadelphia, PA – WTW (Willis Towers Watson) is actively recruiting a Senior M365 Engineer to join its Enterprise End User Technology and Collaboration Services team. The role, based in Philadelphia, focuses on the delivery and support of Microsoft 365 services within a large enterprise environment. This position comes as organizations increasingly rely on cloud-based collaboration tools to support hybrid and remote workforces, driving demand for skilled M365 professionals.

The demand for skilled IT professionals specializing in Microsoft 365 is surging, reflecting a broader trend toward digital workplace transformation. According to a report by ISG, leading providers are shifting towards “experience-first IT,” prioritizing user satisfaction and productivity alongside traditional metrics like uptime and cost. Hexaware notes this shift is marked by the adoption of Experience Level Agreements (XLAs) rather than traditional Service Level Agreements (SLAs) [Hexaware]. This emphasis on user experience underscores the importance of robust M365 implementations and ongoing support.

Role and Responsibilities

The Senior M365 Engineer will be an integral part of a team responsible for the full lifecycle of Enterprise End User Technology and Collaboration Services. Specific duties include the design, implementation, and maintenance of Microsoft 365 solutions, ensuring seamless operation and optimal performance. The role requires a deep understanding of M365 components such as Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and OneDrive for Business.

Key responsibilities will involve troubleshooting complex issues, collaborating with other IT teams, and contributing to the development of best practices for M365 administration. The engineer will too be expected to stay current with the latest M365 features and updates, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance the organization’s use of the platform. End User Computing (EUC) encompasses technologies like remote workforce management and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) [AWS], and this role will contribute to WTW’s overall EUC strategy.

The Evolving Landscape of End User Technology

The need for effective end-user technology services has become critical as enterprises embrace hybrid and remote work models. Employees now expect seamless access to applications and data, regardless of location or device. Dell highlights that today’s knowledge workers are highly mobile and accustomed to instant access to cloud-based services [Dell]. This expectation places significant pressure on IT departments to deliver reliable, secure, and user-friendly solutions.

Microsoft Digital End User Services are focused on empowering organizations to navigate this evolving landscape, providing the tools and support needed to foster creativity and collaboration [Microsoft]. The Senior M365 Engineer at WTW will play a key role in enabling this for the company and its clients.

What’s Next for M365 and End User Technology

The future of end-user technology is likely to be shaped by continued advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and automation. AI-powered IT support is already emerging as a key trend, offering the potential to resolve issues more quickly and efficiently. As M365 continues to evolve, organizations will need to invest in skilled professionals who can leverage its full capabilities. The ongoing focus on user experience, as highlighted by industry leaders, will drive further innovation in this space.

WTW’s search for a Senior M365 Engineer reflects the growing demand for these skills and the importance of a robust M365 infrastructure in today’s business environment. The company’s commitment to Enterprise End User Technology and Collaboration Services positions it to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the evolving digital workplace.

Share your thoughts on the future of M365 and the challenges of managing a modern digital workplace in the comments below.