An example shared by Wong Kam-hon, Regional Co-Director of Midland Realty, involves a unit in Block 30 of City One Shatin, with an area of 451 square feet, featuring three bedrooms, sold at a recent price of HKD 5.65 million, translating to HKD 12,528 per square foot, approximately 4% lower than the market value. The buyer's primary intent was owner-occupation.
Additionally, a case presented by Tang Pui-hung, Assistant Business Director of Ricacorp Properties, pertains to a unit in Block E of Ka Ying Court in Kornhill, Quarry Bay. The high-floor unit, featuring two bedrooms and an area of approximately 524 square feet, was originally priced at HKD 7 million. After a reduction of HKD 1.8 million, it was eventually sold for HKD 5.2 million, or HKD 9,924 per square foot, around 16% lower than the market value.
Other examples include a unit in Block 2 of Park Island Phase 2 in Ma Wan, a low-floor unit in Block A of Tsui Yick Garden in Tsing Yi, and a high-floor unit in Block B of New Kwai Fong Gardens, all demonstrating lower transaction prices compared to the market rates.
Buyers in these transactions are primarily individuals entering the market, while the original owners, who purchased these units as far back as 1991, are selling after holding the properties for several decades, realizing significant profits.
Chen Wing-kit, Vice Chairman and President of Residential Department at Midland Realty, believes that the current economy has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and investment demand has yet to fully rebound. He notes that for grassroots citizens, housing demand is rigid, leading to an increase in transactions in small-unit estates.
Bruce Lee, Executive Director (Hong Kong and Macau) of Midland Realty, also remarks that housing is a basic need, and buyers typically choose properties with medium to low prices when buying or changing homes.