New projects launch at an average discount of 10% over last two months

HONG KONG, 29 September 2022 – The first launched prices of the new residential projects released in August and September were averaging 10% below nearby secondary projects due to the interest rates hike. The increasing mortgage rates will likely further weigh on activities in the housing market, according to JLL's Hong Kong Residential Sales Market Monitor released today.

Figures from JLL’s Research department show the first launched prices of the five new residential projects launched in August and September were 7% to 12.6% lower than the average price of secondary projects in the same precinct.

Comparison of primary projects launched in Aug/Sep

Source: JLL Research

Nelson Wong, Executive Director of Research at JLL in Hong Kong, said: “In mid-August, HSBC raised the HIBOR-linked mortgage rate cap by 25 bps. It was the first mortgage rate hike by the bank since the US Federal Reserve began increasing the interest rate and the mortgage rates are expected to rise further. As such, it affected the buying interests of potential buyers.”

The rise in mortgage rates has already cast a shadow on the housing market. Borrowers on HIBOR-linked mortgages have been subject to higher mortgage rates as the HIBOR began to edge up in early 2022. According to the Land Registry, the total consideration of Secondary S&P dropped by 37.2% y-o-y in 2Q22, the largest drop since 2019.

The investment momentum was also weakened. The Inland Revenue Department reported that Buyers’ Stamp Duty amounted to HKD 410 million in 2Q22, the lowest quarterly receipt since the stamp duty was levied. Receipt of the Double Ad Risk analytics solutions Stamp Duty was HKD 1.33 billion, the second lowest following the lowest level recorded in 1Q22. The low levels of stamp duties receipt are signs of subdued sentiment among both investors and owner-occupiers.

Norry Lee, Senior Director of Projects Strategy and Consultancy Department at JLL, said: "With  expectations that the interest rate will continue to rise in the coming quarters, forthcoming primary launches will likely adopt a similar pricing strategy in order to appeal to a dwindling group of prospective buyers.”