A part of the beneficiaries of the “First House” program, which was launched a year ago, abandoned the idea of having a new house and decided to buy an old apartment that is cheaper and can be acquired quicker. Since the program was extended to cover old apartments, the interest in the first building that is under construction decreased significantly. “Most of the beneficiaries chose to buy apartments not in the building erected on Ghioceilor St, but on the secondary market. Now that the package of offers was extended, the interest shifted to old apartments,” Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca told the press, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. He said the works on the building situated on Ghioceilor St advance slowly, but, regardless of the number of applicants for apartments in that block, the construction works will be completed. “Initially, the number of applicants for the 340 apartments that will be constructed on Ghioceilor St was much higher that the supply. Now the number of applications is much lower as most of the people want to buy old apartments. The building will anyway be finished,” said Dorin Chirtoaca. A number of 389 applications have been accepted so far within the “First House” program. Besides the apartments located on Ghioceilor St, there will be built more than 400 attic-like apartments up to 30 square meters in area. Apartments can be also purchased on the secondary market and in unfinished buildings The loans released within the program are repayable in 10 to 30 years at an interest rate of 9% a year. Until the loan is repays, the built apartment will remain as pledge with the bank.