Hong Kong Property Market Trends: A Bubble which you are not part of?
Contributed by Laveco Ltd
31 October, 2011

Contributed by Laveco Ltd. [www.laveco.com]
Hong Kong is, beyond doubt, one of the most cosmopolitan cities, with a very distinctive atmosphere, and a property market which has the experts very much divided. Real estate prices have increased by approximately 70 percent since the start of 2009. According to the Hong Kong Rating and Valuation Department, property prices in 2011 were up 20,6% from 2010.
Nevertheless, some say that the fundamentals of the property market are not as strong as people think. 108,814 properties changed hands in 2011, down 33% from 2010 (162,739) according to data compiled by one of the largest Hong Kong based real estate agencies, and this volume was the lowest since 2006. The database of the Land Registry shows that home sales decreased 10,3% month on month to 4,301 in December 2011, which is the lowest since November 2008.
The Hong Kong real estate market may now be entering a correction phase, as many experts are predicting a 25% to 30% fall in property prices in 2012. In the past few years the record low interest rates and the large number of wealthy buyers mostly from mainland China pushed up the market prices, but for the time being, with the solution to the European debt crisis still unclear and a special stamp duty imposed by the HK government in 2010 on quick re-sales (short term property sale tax) the increasing trend is by no means certain.
The financial institutions have started to raise mortgage rates on new loans (based on the HK Interbank Offer Rate-HIBOR) but Hong Kongs interest rates have remained very low almost zero - due to the quantitative easing in the USA as HK dollar is pegged with US dollar. The current very low interest rates are clearly neither sustainable nor supportable. Hong Kongs widely open economy means the city is exposed to the effects of the global crisis, and nobody knows when the interest rate is going to rise.
What everybody wants to know is when the peak in the property market will come. Maybe it wont come all the time that money is coming in to Hong Kong, and the interest rates stay low regardless of the origin of the amounts. The cheap money drives the investors into risky assets and pushes up real estate prices. Therefore, the real question regarding the property market seems to be when there will be an outflow of funds from Hong Kong, since in this case interest rates will rise irrespective of US interest rates.
Despite the relative indecision of the Hong Kong real estate market, the number of companies being formed in Hong Kong has continued to increase.
March 2012
Contact LAVECO LTD.:
Web site: www.laveco.com
United Kingdom
LAVECO LTD.
3rd Floor, Blackwell House,
Guildhall Yard, London
EC2V 5AE United Kingdom
Tel.: 44-207-556-0900
Fax: 44-207-556-0910
E-mail: london@laveco.com
Hungary
LAVECO KFT.
33/a Raday street,
1092 Budapest,
Hungary
Tel.: 36-1-456-72-00
Fax: 36-1-456-72-01
E-mail: hungary@laveco.com
Cyprus
LAVECO LIMITED
Despina Sofia Complex
Ap. 202, United Nations 8
Drosia 6042, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel.: 357-24-636-919
Fax: 357-24-636-920
E-mail: cyprus@laveco.com
Romania
OPTITAX S.R.L.
59 Buzesti Str., A5 Block
1st Scale, 1st Floor, 62nd Flat,
1st District, Bucharest, Romania
Tel.: 40-21-311-61-76
Mob: 40-747-595-132
Fax: 40-21-311-61-82
E-mail: office@optitax.ro
Bulgaria
LAVECO EOOD
Porto Lagos No.1,Ent.2, Floor 5, Ap.42, 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: 359-2-953-2989
Mob: 359-888-126-013
Fax: 359-2-953-3502
E-mail: bulgaria@laveco.com
Seychelles
LAVECO LTD.
Suite 2, Oliver Maradan Bld.
Oliver Maradan Street,Victoria
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel.: 248-4-322-261
Fax: 248-4-324-932
E-mail: seychelles@laveco.com
« Go Back to Articles
Articles Archive
- 2019
- February (4)
- January (5)
- » Observations of the AGM of Association of Cyprus International Investment Firms
- » Cyprus IBC Capital
- » Three Key Considerations in Establishing your Virtual Currency Investment Fund
- » Lebanon: A Case Study on Efficient Inbound Investment - Tax Structures for Cross-Border Acquisitions
- » Nine Reasons to Work With a Professional When Filing Your Taxes
- 2018
- December (13)
- » Seven ideas for a perfect gift that cost nothing
- » Financial Advisor Hiring 101: What to Ask When Hiring For Your Business
- » The most popular countries in Europe with low taxes
- » Tax amnesty program in Panama for 2018
- » A Tax Advisors Point Of View - Is Malta A Viable Brexit Solution?
- » New rules for property tax and tax homesteads
- » Gibraltar publishes rules implementing EU rules against Tax Avoidance Practices
- » Notaries in Estonia will be empowered to certify documents via video link
- » The Cyprus Tax System Explained in a Simple Way
- » The Power of Sailing BVI Yacht Registration
- » The Intra-Corporate Transfer Regulations
- » 'The UK can unilaterally decide to Remain in the EU' - Advocate General, Court of Justice of the European Union
- » The Accounting Conundrum Solved - Accounting in the UAE Made Simple
- November (9)
- » Rocking Gibraltar
- » Investors: Applying For A Cypriot Passport? Read Our Guide
- » The Draft Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol on Gibraltar
- » Your Essential Guide to Offshore Companies in Dubai
- » Three Best Offshore Asset Structures in Belize
- » What You Need To Know About Standard Banking And Electronic Wallets
- » The Key to a Successful and Family-Friendly Career
- » European Commission proposes new Anti-Money Laundering Directive: 6AMLD
- » Gibraltar Association for New Technologies GANT
- October (9)
- » Financial Substance in Andorra - Part 1 of 2 - How And Why Did It Come About?
- » Financial Substance in Andorra - Part 2 of 2 - How To Comply With Substance In Andorra
- » CySEC: An Overview of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
- » Non-Residential Tax Returns in the UK
- » Time Is Running Out For Expats Behind on Taxes
- » GDPR WARNING: Why Not Shredding Your Data Could Cost Your Company Millions
- » Trust and Corporate Services Provider (TCSP) Licensing in Hong Kong
- » Cyprus: The Blockchain-friendly Island
- » Securing Your Children's Future with a Cyprus International Trust
- September (18)
- » 10 Most Common Tax Return Mistakes To Avoid
- » Cryptocurrency and Taxes - What You Need to Know
- » Why Getting HK Tax Residency Certificate & How to Benefit?
- » Investment Funds in Cyprus - A Guide for Global Investors
- » Why Should I Care About The FTSE 100?
- » Asset Protection: Your Personal Insurance
- » Why Switzerland Is The Best Place To Establish A Business
- » New type of funds (Cyprus): The Registered AIF (RAIF)
- » Understanding New York Real Estate Taxes
- » What are Fixed Indexed Annuities?
- » Cyprus Citizenship by Investment
- » Forming and Operating a Fund in Cyprus: A Guide for Emerging Cyprus Fund Managers and Investors
- » Cryptocurrency - a wallet or exchange?
- » Start-Up Dilemma: Things to Consider When Looking for the Perfect Office Space for Your Business to Grow
- » Investing in Self-Storage Real Estate
- » Estonia: Register of Beneficiaries in Force
- » Secure Crypto Currency to Physical Gold OTC Exchanges
- » Wolters Kluwer Tax Expert To Speak At Tax Reform Conference
- August (18)
- » Euro Exim Bank's Involvement with Blockchain Technology
- » Traditional Bank A/C Alternatives to Run Business
- » Iceland - Under The Radar Program
- » Launching an ICO through Cyprus
- » Is Your Significant Controllers Register (SCR) Ready?
- » 3 Simple Techniques For Contractors
- » Did you know that a $10K investment can get you a tax-free company and residency in Dubai ?
- » How to Set Up a Crypto Exchange License in the EU: Estonia
- » A Holistic Approach To Regulating Cryptocurrencies And Virtual Financial Assets In Malta
- » Quick overview of Seychelles Legal System
- » Seychelles Updates
- » Notional Interest Deduction (NID) Rules
- » Deduction For Transportation Cost Of Employees Rules
- » VAT Grouping Regulations
- » Malta Ahead Of The Game
- » Seychelles Tax treaties
- » Quick overview of Seychelles business tax
- » Gibraltar Budget 2018
- July (2)
- June (4)
- May (3)
- April (10)
- » Just Announced: 100% Ownership for Dubai Entrepreneurs
- » Why Hong Kong is Your Essential Business Hub
- » Lasting Powers of Attorney in Gibraltar - the Act comes into force
- » The How and Why: Redomiciling your Business in Singapore
- » GDPR - Key Aspects of the General Data Protection Regulation
- » Trademarks: What is the opposition process?
- » GDPR: What Do You Need To Know
- » Financial Advising: Accounting's New Look
- » Why register a trust in Cyprus?
- » How double taxation treaties work
- March (4)
- February (4)
- January (6)
- » Pension for Life: An Achievable Dream
- » Partnerships in Canada: tax haven or undesirable misfortune?
- » Benefits of Setting Up a Shams Free Zone Company In the United Arab Emirates
- » UAE's most dynamic free zone jurisdiction
- » The Future of Global Taxation
- » Common Standard Of Automatic Exchange Of Information On Tax Matters
- December (13)
- 2017
- December (7)
- » Branch Registration in Poland - Establish branch in Poland
- » Cryptocurrencies and the mainstream - bridging the gap to mass market adoption
- » Gibraltar - DLT Guidance Notes Published
- » The High Net Worth Individual Scheme
- » Middle East Faces Significant Challenges To International Business, Survey Finds
- » What impact will Brexit have on Gibraltar Cross-Border Mergers?
- » Tax minimization methods across the world
- November (4)
- October (7)
- » What you "token" about?
- » Legal "non-disclosure" overseas retirement planning
- » Why is it that more businesses blame poor results on currency movements?
- » Bitcoin Tax Strategies & Corporate Structures: Why Governments Worldwide are Scared of Bitcoin's Incredible Potential
- » Build an Offshore company in Hong Kong
- » Film Production Scheme to be introduced in Cyprus
- » ICO - the new way of fund raising for entrepreneurs
- September (3)
- August (3)
- July (3)
- June (8)
- » Fear Fintech? Embrace Fintech
- » Publication of Guidance Notes related to Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information by Cyprus Tax Department
- » Law Firms and Marketing Strategy
- » Why will accountants, financial advisers and registrars lose their jobs in coming years?
- » Register of Beneficiaries in Estonia
- » Bitcoin, ethereum, crypto currency and block chain - the next industrial revolution - the new gold - from barter to bitcoin
- » Why partnering with a currency broker is a win for you and your clients
- » BEPS - What is it? & What is the cost on Africa?
- May (6)
- » Caribbean Flourishing Due to Citizenship by Investment
- » The New Zealand "Foreign Trust" regime vs the USA "Foreign Trust" Regime
- » How does one legally avoid paying more than 5% in taxes? Move your business to Malta!
- » Guide to the benefits of owning company shares through a discretionary trust
- » Four jurisdictions to start a company in
- » Global Tax Trends And Impact On Offshore Jurisdictions
- April (3)
- March (4)
- February (18)
- » Exactly which US expats have to file an IRS tax return?
- » The best citizenship by investment programs for 2017
- » Don't make these tax mistakes when you retire
- » How to get a Second Passport and Second Citizenship
- » Still the easiest place in the world to open an offshore bank account
- » Get second residency and pay no tax in these 19 tax-free countries
- » The fastest countries in the world to become a citizen
- » Cyprus introduces rules to implement Country by Country reporting requirements
- » Revised criteria for granting the Cypriot citizenship by investment
- » Potential Non-Dom Solutions: QNUPS
- » Tax Calendar 2017
- » Cyprus Investment Immigration Programmes
- » Reforms to the Taxation of UK Non-Domiciles
- » Potential Non-Dom Solutions: Trusts
- » Restarting the Clock: Residency Solutions for Non-Doms
- » Tax payers given rights to claim deemed deductions on Article 33
- » Declaration of an individual as a non-dom
- » Cyprus Tax Facts 2017
- January (4)
- December (7)
- 2016
- December (5)
- November (4)
- October (2)
- September (2)
- August (5)
- July (5)
- June (8)
- » The Corporate Governance Review - Cyprus 2016
- » Double Tax Treaty between Cyprus and Latvia signed
- » How Canada Taxes Real Estate Gains Of Non-Residents
- » Cyprus - Seychelles collaboration through the double taxation treaty
- » Eight Myths Regarding Being Non-Resident For Canadian Tax Purposes
- » Tax Issues for Non-Resident Actors & Entertainers in Canada
- » The Tax-Efficient Way For Foreign Corporations To Acquire Canadian Corporations
- » Why do online entrepreneurs need to structure their companies carefully?
- May (2)
- March (3)
- February (1)
- January (2)
- 2015
- December (3)
- November (2)
- October (2)
- September (1)
- August (3)
- July (3)
- June (3)
- May (2)
- April (4)
- March (4)
- January (4)
- 2014
- December (2)
- November (6)
- » NEWSLETTER: THE NEW PENSION FLEXIBILITY FROM APRIL 2015: THE DETAIL EXPLAINED
- » NEWSLETTER: THE NEW PENSION DEATH TAXES FROM 6.4.15 EXPLAINED
- » NEWSLETTER: NEW CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS FOR SIPP PROVIDERS AND UNREGULATED INVESTMENTS WITHIN SIPPS
- » QROPS BULLETIN - NOVEMBER 2014
- » Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) legislation voted by the State Duma
- » Migrating the residence of the target company from Costa Rican jurisdiction raises tax consequences
- October (2)
- September (5)
- August (5)
- July (1)
- June (9)
- » Banking in a Tax Haven isn't what it used to be!
- » Italian Tax Cuts
- » Part-Time Self-Employed Tax Submission
- » Life in the Sun: The Ease of Benefitting from Tax Residence in Malta
- » Cyprus Corporate Governance 2014
- » NEWSLETTER: HMRC tightening up on SSASs, unregulated product providers targeting PSLS, recycling issues, and an international pension conference
- » The Liability of Shareholders for the Tax Debts of a Company
- » Relief from Transfer Pricing for Controlled Foreign Companies
- » DFM Platform SIPP
- May (4)
- » The Dispute Resolution Review [Cyprus], Sixth Edition, Editor Jonathan Cotton
- » QROPS BULLETIN - MAY 2014
- » Malta Individual Investor Program - Facilitating Citizenship Through Investment in the Republic of Malta
- » NEWSLETTER: SIPP opportunities, new investment challenges for IFAs and delays in SSAS registration
- April (3)
- March (6)
- » Thin Capitalization in India
- » NEWSLETTER: Budget 2014: Important changes to pensions
- » QROPS BULLETIN - MARCH 2014
- » NEWSLETTER: Reallocation of assets/Beware if setting up a new scheme to beat the end of the tax year/UK pensions for non-UK residents
- » INSIGHT SIPP
- » Important Things about Home Insurance it is Imperative You Know
- February (8)
- » Murdoch and News Corp Receive $882m Australian Tax Rebate
- » Tom Perkins Believes that Taxes will lead to 'Economic Extinction' of the 1%
- » Weariness of Refund Fraud Heightens as Tax Season Returns
- » QROPS BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 2014
- » NEWSLETTER: CHANGES COMING INTO FORCE ON 6TH APRIL 2014
- » International Civil Fraud - Cyprus
- » New Online Pension Products And Services For Advisers
- » DFM Platform SIPP
- January (3)
- 2013
- December (1)
- November (6)
- October (6)
- » Seminar Invitation: QROPS/QNUPS/IHT Implications/New Platform/Fund Management and Online SIPP
- » Cyprus: Does the Boomerang Really Come Back Sometimes?
- » QROPS BULLETIN: OCTOBER 2013
- » The Importance of Planning
- » Why Malta?
- » NEWSLETTER: Protection update and more reasons why everyone needs to save more
- September (1)
- August (4)
- July (7)
- June (6)
- » Incentives for Third Country Nationals to Invest in Cyprus - Significant Improvements
- » QROPS BULLETIN: JUNE 2013
- » Introducing the ACORN LITE SIPP for Regulated Investments & Bank Accounts
- » Inheritance Tax U-Turn: Expats Must Plan Ahead
- » Landmark Supreme Court Judgment on the Rights of Depositors
- » Newsletter - June 2013
- May (7)
- April (3)
- March (7)
- » Return to 120% of GAD and ensuring SSASs are properly run
- » QROPS for Financial Advisers QROPS Choice
- » Forming a company in Monaco
- » Increase in Minimum Annual Tax Burden in Luxembourg and Restructuring Solution
- » Announcing the Launch of an Isle of Man QNUPS
- » Monaco Residency - easy process?
- » Why consider Monaco?
- February (11)
- » UK Publishes Draft Legislation on Offshore Companies Which Own UK Property
- » New 'Approved Manager' Regulations for Hedge Funds
- » Announcing the Launch of a Guernsey QNUPS
- » Changing Gears - Investment Funds in the British Virgin Islands are Moving from Strength to Strength
- » Asset Tracing Recovery Tools in the BVI
- » Depardieu, taxes and untrodden paths
- » Why you Should Choose the BVI for your Fund
- » Fast and Simple in BVI
- » Guide to Incorporating Companies in the BVI
- » QROPS: An Overview of Jurisdictional Differences
- » QNUPS: An Overview of Jurisdictional Differences
- January (7)
- » New Modifications to the Commercial Code
- » QROPS BULLETIN: JANUARY
- » Why isn't offshore dying?
- » Laws part of the Memorandum agreed for financial assistance to be provided by the Troika voted by Cyprus Parliament
- » The Autumn Statement 2012
- » Dubai - Property ownership through company structures
- » Money Laundering
- 2012
- December (2)
- November (7)
- » The Cyprus International Trusts
- » Increase in minimum annual tax burden in Luxembourg
- » Panama's Banking Center Reports Almost 12% Growth in Assets
- » Why do business in Bulgaria?
- » Setting up an LLC in Dubai
- » BVI Law Holds Even Keel Between Rights of Investors and Rights of Mutual Funds
- » A CHOICE OF NEW SIPPS
- October (8)
- » Offshore Companies Owning UK Residential Property Need To Take Urgent Action
- » QROPS BULLETIN OCTOBER
- » Announcing the Launch of the QROPS TRANSIT SIPP
- » Unisex GAD rates and a new service for defined benefit schemes
- » Will Cyprus collapse?
- » ARBITRATION AS EXPEDITED OPTION FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION
- » Incentives for third country nationals to invest in Cyprus
- » Insight SIPP For Sophisticated Investors
- September (6)
- » Property in SIPP/SSAS and Death Benefit Trap
- » QROPS Bulletin September
- » Panama - Training, Tax Deductible
- » NEWSLETTER: SIPP cash rates, Unisex GAD rates, annuity rates worsen even more - and opportunities for IFAs!
- » SIPP / SSAS: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MATTERS
- » SIPP / SSAS: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MATTERS
- August (12)
- » QROPS BULLETIN
- » NEWSLETTER: Warnings for SSASs and those with Enhanced/Fixed Protection, property and illiquidity issues and the true costs of pensions
- » Form a Singapore Company
- » Offshore Companies Owning Uk Residential Property Need To Take Urgent Action
- » U.S. Law Jeopardizes the Panamanian Banking Secrecy
- » The Professional's Toolkit Shelf Companies
- » Weathering the storm
- » Funds article for New Europe
- » Bearer shares: are their days numbered?
- » QROPS BULLETIN August
- » Incorporation In Hong Kong
- » A gateway to the booming Asian market
- July (3)
- June (5)
- May (6)
- » Trusts & Foundations - The Best Tools for Giving...
- » NEWSLETTER: Pensions post 6.4.12 – the new Rules explained
- » Why you should consider Switzerland as part of your international tax planning arrangements?
- » A Different Style : VISTA Trusts 8 years later
- » Securities and investment business regulations in the British Virgin Islands
- » VAT Yacht Leasing Scheme
- March (4)
- February (1)
- January (7)
- » Cyprus Hydrocarbons Exploration and Exploitation: the Legal Framework and Licensing for hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone
- » Cyprus Investment Firms
- » Outward Investment from Canada - The Offshore Perspective
- » Trade Marks in Cyprus: Registration, Protection and Infringement of Trade Marks and Community Trade Marks in Cyprus
- » The Document Keeping Requirement
- » The Professional's Toolkit - Shelf Companies
- » International Financial Centre Profile
- 2011
- December (3)
- October (5)
- September (2)
- August (5)
- July (6)
- June (2)
- May (6)
- » QROPS / QNUPS: Jurisdictional differences matter to Clients
- » Panama Pacifico: Gateway to the Americas
- » Income Tax Implications for Non-Residents Investing in Canadian Real Estate
- » QROPS Bulletin May 2011
- » QROPS Proposition: SIPP Specialists Hold a Unique Market Position
- » QROPS: Choice of Jurisdictions on Isle of Man
- April (3)
- March (4)
- January (3)
- 2010
- December (2)
- October (1)
- May (3)
- April (2)
- March (1)
- February (1)
- January (1)
- 2009
- October (1)
- September (1)
- August (2)
- April (1)
- January (1)
- 2008
- November (1)
- September (1)
- July (1)
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- September (1)
- June (1)
- 2004
- April (1)
- 2003
- 2002
- August (1)
- June (1)
- May (1)
- 2001
- June (1)
- May (1)
- March (1)
- 2000
- November (1)
- October (1)
Event Listings
Listings for the leading worldwide conferences and events in accounting, investment, banking and finance, transfer pricing, corporate taxation and more...See Event Listings »