Mortgage rates

Higher mortgage rates hit sales of new homes over weekend

18 Mar 2013

First-hand home sales were slack over the weekend as homebuyers adopted a "wait-and-see" stance after major banks in the city raised mortgage rates.

2:53AM

Small rate rise may have big impact on investors

18 Mar 2013

Last week the Hong Kong government claimed a victory in its battle to halt the city's epic property bull market. Standard Chartered, Hang Seng Bank and HSBC raised mortgage rates for new home...

2:34AM

Mainland China banks stay put on mortgage rates and down payment requirement

15 Mar 2013

In a bid to crack down on speculation that has helped fuel a strong rally in prices since the second half of last year, the State Council has endorsed the People's Bank of China to raise down-...

5:48AM

Property firms take hit from rate rise

15 Mar 2013

Shares of Hong Kong developers fell yesterday after three major banks raised mortgage rates by 25 basis points amid mounting risk in the property market.

4:37AM

Further mortgage rate rise 'could cut home prices by 20pc in two years'

15 Mar 2013

Home prices in Hong Kong may fall by 15 to 20 per cent in two years following the increase in mortgage lending rates, an investment bank predicts, but some developers and bankers believe the...

5:21AM

Mortgage rate hikes add note of caution to markets

15 Mar 2013

The decision by HSBC and Standard Chartered to raise mortgage lending rates by 0.25 percentage points should not come as a surprise. Other lenders are likely to follow their lead, as Hang Seng...

3:31AM

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4:27AM

New step may not help banks but it does hurt homebuyers

Wednesday's move by HSBC and Standard Chartered to raise the interest rates they charge on new mortgages was no surprise.

4:37AM

5 comments

Small banks may gain from rate wait

The latest increase in mortgage rates in more than a year may offer some small banks a rare opportunity to grab a greater market share if they continue to hold their rates for some time.

5:31AM

Sellers cut asking prices on homes as banks raise mortgage rates

From today, HSBC's best lending rate for new home loans will rise to 2.85 to 3.15 per cent, from 2.6 to 2.9 per cent. Standard Chartered has also raised rates from today.

7:47AM

PROPERTY

Hong Kong's new homebuyers hit by rise in interest rates

Centaline Property Agency said last night that some owners had immediately slashed their asking prices. A 922 sq ft flat in Taikoo Shing was on offer for HK$13 million, a reduction of 7 per cent....

2:13PM