The number of new flats going on sale has increased this year as developers speed up the release of projects.
According to the Lands Department, pre-sale consents were issued to projects involving 33,749 units in the first nine months of this year.
This compares with 20,673 units given consents for the same period last year, and 28,587 units for the whole of 1997.
The number for the period between January and September this year included 23,707 private-sector flats, up 60 per cent, compared with the same period last year, and 10,042 subsidised housing units, up 71 per cent from a year earlier.
Analysts said the number of flats granted government pre-sale consents this year was set to be the highest for recent years as developers raced to dump flats before prices fell further and also due to the Government's sales of more subsidised housing projects.
The Lands Department issued consents to 18,323 units in 1996, about 18,000 units for 1995, 17,784 units for 1994 and 30,485 for 1993.
The bulk of subsidised housing units granted pre-sale consents in the first nine months this year secured their approval in the first quarter.
