Our housing system is broken and the poorest Australians are being hardest hit 
Trump Signals Possible U.S.-Iran Peace Deal as Hormuz Reopening Nears 
Choices made nearly a century ago explain today’s housing crisis 
Colorado takes a new – and likely more effective – approach to the housing crisis 
Sharehousing can be fun, but fraught with risk – and the law offers little protection. These 3 changes could help 
Why you may not be able to get on the housing ladder or buy a bigger home in 2024 
New Zealand Manufacturing Slips Back Into Contraction in May 
From NIMBY to YIMBY: How localized real estate investment trusts can help address Canada’s housing crisis 
A ‘sponge city’ may be your home in 2050 
US Stock Futures Rally as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Boost Market Sentiment Despite Ongoing Strikes 
Asian Stocks Slide, Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Tensions and Inflation Fears Shake Markets in 2026 
US Appeals Court Keeps Trump’s 10% Global Tariff in Effect During Ongoing Legal Battle 
Gold Prices Slide Toward Second Weekly Loss as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Weigh on Market 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Slips on Iran Peace Hopes and Fed Rate Outlook 
Dollar Stabilizes as Markets Weigh Middle East Ceasefire Prospects and Central Bank Policy Outlook 
Hong Kong Home Prices Drop for Fifth Straight Month: Is Recovery in Sight?
Hong Kong’s property market saw a fifth consecutive monthly decline in home prices in September, according to official data. As real estate values hit their lowest levels since August 2016, experts are closely watching for a potential market rebound fueled by government policies and interest rate cuts.
Key Reasons Behind the Decline
Hong Kong, one of the world’s most expensive housing markets, has experienced declining demand since May. A temporary surge in early 2023, spurred by lifted property purchase restrictions, faded as buyers became sated. To counteract this slump, the Hong Kong government recently eased the down payment requirement to 30% and allowed luxury home purchases over HK$50 million to count toward its investment immigration scheme.
Notable Statistics
- September Drop: Home prices fell 1.7% from August.
- Year-to-Date Decline: Prices are down 7.5% since December 2023.
- Peak Comparison: Prices have decreased by 27.7% from the 2021 peak, now at a seven-year low.
Expert Insights
Eddie Kwok, Executive Director at CBRE Hong Kong, predicts home prices may soon stabilize. Martin Wong of Knight Frank estimates an 8% drop for 2024 but anticipates a gradual rebound starting next year. UBS projects a potential 5% increase in home prices by 2025, driven by Chinese demand and declining mortgage rates.
Market Influences
Hong Kong’s major banks, including HSBC and Bank of China, cut their lending rates by 0.25% in September, aligning with the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate reduction. Though Hong Kong’s currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar, local banks adjust rates independently based on funding costs.
