To buy or not to buy? That is the question many Hong Kong investors watching the British property market's slide are asking themselves.
Most property professionals say the answer to the question is buy - although some warn the downturn has years to run.
Latest data shows British property prices continuing to fall. According to the Land Registry, residential property prices fell 0.2 per cent in April - the eighth monthly fall in a row.
In London, Charles Oliver, a director of property finder Chesterton Private Clients, recommended potential buyers take the plunge. 'Vendors are becoming more realistic about prices and for anyone thinking of buying now there could be some good opportunities,' he said.
Some Hong Kong investors appear to be doing just that. 'There is still good appetite for London property,' said Andrew Jones, a partner at estate agency Knight Frank. 'People in Hong Kong still see London as a premier international market.'
Camilla Dell, the managing director of property finder Black Brick, said investors were right to enter the market now because bargains were available.
'Whilst there has been a downturn in prices, property is a medium to long-term investment, over five to 10 years,' Ms Dell said. 'Predicting when the market will bottom out is impossible and at the moment we are able to negotiate very aggressively.'