Park Island, Ma Wan, Hong Kong

It is time for me to update the guidance I provided on HK property stamp duty few years ago here:  HK Stamp Duty on Property  for 2018. Whilst the principles remain the same (eg charge stamp duty, as part of various measures to keep the market from rising too quickly), the stamp duty calculation formula is a little more complicated.  This increasing complexity is a shame, as Hong Kong has always prided itself on simplicity when it comes to doing financial transactions, as well as being a country (well now actually in fact a "city", albeit a very special one) that embraces the free market and abstains as much as possible from interference in the free market. These "cooling measures" are intended to suppress value, (eg keeping prices down below what would be the case in a more open market). Sooner or later, when stamp duties are normalized, the prices of property in Hong Kong will move up higher as the many years of suppressed value is unlocked relea...

We really do live in a lovely place!

Beautiful photos that capture the moment perfectly.

Many residents will know that beloved patrol dog Sky passed away last year, on 22 December 2017. The Park Island patrol dogs accompany security guards on night patrol. They are apparently trained, much like police dogs are, although I am not aware of them actually ever putting their skills to use in catching anyone bad. In the early days, the Park Island Management company apparently used to keep these dogs locked up in a cage in the dark in the daytime, and only allowed them out on patrol at night. Many older Chinese people really don't have a good understanding of how dogs think or how they should be treated. However, fortunately, residents found out how these dogs were being treated, and educated management on a better way to treat dogs. Over time, more and more residents began to care for Sky and her life surely must have become more enriched, fulfilling, comfortable, and happy.  Some people say dogs are man's best friend. Some consider dogs to be man'...

My last post,  park island property prices hit fresh.high , published in November 2017 noted that the p rice of property for sale on Park Island has followed a relatively constant  growth trend  since 2009.  At that time, prices for Park Island apartments had just hit a fresh record level of $9619 psf. Today, prices are around 5% higher, at $10,085 psf (not just for Park Island but for the Hong Kong property market in general). The most recent property price graph, along with my "back of the envelope" doodles,  show where prices might go over the next 4 years. A price level of $13,000 psf by 2022 is certainly not out of the question. Property Price outlook next 5 years (Park Island, Hong Kong) As I have mentioned in previous posts, with every year of rising GPD in China, there is an increased cash-pile and consequent increased purchasing power, from the world's second largest economy, with over 1 billion people and a rising middle cl...

Below is the latest Centa City Index price update for Park Island. Park Island Price Graph 2017 Prices now average at $9619.55 psf net, (and over $12500 psf gross). Prices have followed a relatively constant growth trend  since 2009. I spoke to an experienced developer's daughter last month who told me that her family believe average prices will hit over 10K psf net by Chinese new year. (By the way, this also makes it very easy to calculate price. For example a 550 net psf average apartment price would be 5.5m HKD). She expected relatively solid growth of 8% per annum over the next 2-3 years, and indicated that she would only be concerned if overall HK prices spiked up something like 20% in a year, which would in turn lead to a further fear of missing out HK-style frenzy (which would in turn eventually lead to a bubble burst). China values social stability and so would ideally like to see contained but constant, non-volatile growth for HK in a way that keeps the majority...

Its pretty damn hot in HK right now, And I mean both the weather AND the property market. People are making good use of the pools on Park Island and the ocean and beachs at Ma Wan, and agents are doing well for themselves selling to property to eager buyers who seem to be of the view that demand for property in HK is going to rise in the coming months and years ahead. Property prices are at record historical prices, but this is of course also the case in many other major cities in the world, whether Sydney, London, Berlin, New York, Shanghai.  Many experienced property analysts who have seen prior cycles believe that the fundamental conditions need to support a new boom over the next few years are firmly in place. Looking at the Centadata property graph below, many are expecting a new peak to get up to 200 on their price graph by the end of 2018 as the market starts to accelerate. Hong Kong Property Price Graph 2017 This weekend we saw may buyers, (probably a ...