Blog

Zero Presale Applications: What It Means for Buyers

The Lands Department reported zero new applications for presale consent in April, signaling developers' caution due to high inventory and interest rates, which may reduce future property options. First-time buyers are advised to consider ready-to-move-in properties and budget for higher mortgage rates, while some purchasing power may shift to the secondary market.

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Understanding Half-Share and Fractional-Share Properties

The blog post explains the differences between half-share and fractional-share properties, highlighting their unique ownership structures and financial implications. It also discusses the advantages, such as low entry barriers and negotiation opportunities, as well as risks like difficulty exiting and co-owner disputes, associated with investing in these properties.

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Hong Kong Negative Equity: 5 Key Tenant Concerns

The Hong Kong property market in 2025 is grappling with a surge in negative equity cases, affecting over 40,741 homeowners due to high-leverage loans and price volatility. The blog addresses common tenant concerns, explaining how negative equity impacts leases and offering practical tips to safeguard against potential risks.

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6-Step Guide to Land Premium Payment in Hong Kong

The blog post outlines a 6-step process for paying land premiums in Hong Kong, including submission, valuation, payment, and obtaining a certificate, which takes approximately 3-5 months. It also highlights common pitfalls such as expired quotations, outstanding fees, co-owner disputes, and resale restrictions.

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Understanding HOS Premium Payment in Hong Kong

Premium Payment is a lump sum paid to the government by Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flat owners to sell or rent their units freely in the open market, calculated as the market value multiplied by the original discount rate. The blog also explains the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized flats, inheritance rules, and the implications of paying the land premium for property transactions.

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Asia-Pacific Real Estate Trends 2025: Hong Kong vs Singapore

The blog post discusses the emerging trends in the Asia-Pacific real estate market for 2025, highlighting differences between Hong Kong and Singapore, with Singapore being more attractive due to its stable economy and investor demand. It also mentions the shift towards emerging asset classes like data centers and residential assets, and introduces Letsgethome as an alternative platform for property transactions.

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Property Tax Guide for Landlords

Property tax is levied on landlords based on rental income, with a standard rate of 15% calculated after deductions for rates, unrecoverable rent, and repair allowances. Landlords can reduce tax burdens through personal assessment or home loan interest deductions, while platforms like Letsgethome offer alternative property trading options.

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Hong Kong Property Market Trends 2025

Hong Kong's private domestic price index fell for the third consecutive month in February 2025, reaching its lowest point since July 2016, while rental prices continued to rise. Factors such as weak market sentiment, policy impacts, an influx of talent, and increasing demand from mainland students contribute to these contrasting trends in the property market.

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Dark vs. Bright Bathrooms: Key Considerations

The blog post discusses the pros and cons of dark bathrooms (windowless) versus bright bathrooms (with windows) in Hong Kong's high-priced property market. It provides tips for improving dark bathrooms and concludes that while bright bathrooms are generally preferable, dark bathrooms can also be made comfortable with proper ventilation and maintenance.

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Understanding Call Loans and Mortgage Risks

A Call Loan occurs when a bank demands immediate repayment of a mortgage loan, often triggered by unauthorized property use, second mortgages, persistent repayment defaults, illegal activities, or other debt issues. Negative equity alone does not typically trigger a Call Loan, as banks rely on mortgage insurance and high loan-to-value ratios to mitigate risks associated with property value declines.

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Essential Costs When Buying Property

The blog post outlines the various additional costs involved in purchasing a property beyond the down payment, such as legal fees, stamp duty, and mortgage insurance, emphasizing the importance of understanding these expenses for effective financial planning. It also highlights the differences between mortgage insurance plans and the necessity of other fees like fire insurance and property inspection to ensure a smooth property transaction process.

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Hong Kong's New Property Market Tax Reforms

The Hong Kong government has introduced new measures to stimulate the property market, including the abolition of 'spicy taxes' and a uniform Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD) for all buyers, regardless of whether they are first-time purchasers. Additionally, properties valued below 4 million HKD will now only require a $100 stamp duty, making it more affordable for first-time buyers and enhancing market liquidity.

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