More Hong Kong homes sell at a loss despite signs prices have bottomed: agents

Despite recent signs that Hong Kong property prices may have reached their low point and began to rise again in August, at least 100 secondary residential homes were sold at a loss in September, up from 81 the previous month. Market sources said this reflected a continued trend of losses across the secondary home market, including in luxury and mass-market segments in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Losses ranged from 10% to 30%, with one Sai Kung property losing 32%.

Frankie Liu, sales director at Century 21 Goodwin Property, explained that many homeowners were forced to sell at a loss due to emigration or downsizing. For example, a 695-square-foot flat at The Mediterranean sold for HK$8.38 million after being purchased for HK$12.36 million in 2019, resulting in a 32% loss. Another property at Hebe Villa, purchased for HK$25.88 million in 2009, sold for HK$21 million after a HK$4 million price cut, generating a 19% loss.

Sai Kung, known for its luxury homes, saw continued losses in secondary-home transactions, including at high-value developments like Mount Pavilia, The Mediterranean, Hebe Villa, and Casa Bella. Many expatriates left the city due to US-China tensions and Hong Kong's political turmoil, but Liu noted a resurgence in expatriate purchases, with foreign buyers now accounting for over 20% of transactions.

Despite the positive outlook for the overall market, agents reported a stalemate in Tuen Mun, a mass-market housing hub, where only about 70 secondary-home transactions occurred in September, down from over 100 in May and June. Kit Lam, senior associate director at Ricacorp Properties, said that homeowners are hesitant to sell at a loss due to uncertainty about the market outlook, but most owners only have one property for self-occupation and are reluctant to take a loss.

Losses have also spread to subsidized homes, with a low-floor flat in Ngau Chi Wan selling for HK$3.1 million after a HK$600,000 price reduction, resulting in a HK$230,000 loss. Experts predict that prices will rise by 3 to 5% in the remainder of the year, and the number of properties sold at a loss will gradually decrease.