A street poll conducted by the Property Post reveals that confidence in the property market and the general economic situation has not been fully restored. Au Yin-kwan, 70, housewife 'There is more liveliness in the city as I walk through streets of Causeway Bay. More people are lining up outside new property sites. I have lived in Tai Koo Shing for 20 years and have no intention of moving. But I notice that my friends are getting interested in stocks and properties again.' Yeung Man-wa, 52, housewife 'The general economic environment has improved especially after the Article 23 legislation was withdrawn. I live near The Orchards in Quarry Bay and people are feverishly queuing up outside it. The property market has recovered slightly but the price level is lower than eight or nine years ago. I would not buy a new flat because I don't have money. I'm not buying stocks too because those like PCCW are still low.' Joe Lam, 44, retail businessmen 'I have reservations about buying new flats especially when I am a negative equity owner. The property market is yet to stabilise and the middle class are still feeling insecure about the future. In general, I am not engaging in investment activities as there aren't any real improvements in the macroeconomic environment. The outlook is hampered by a high unemployment rate and negative equity cases. There aren't concrete policies to stimulate recovery, although opportunities are more abundant with the recent inflow of mainland individual travellers.' Danny Yip, 40, office worker The economic environment is rather unclear and I have not regained my confidence in our economy. There aren't any statistics pointing to a real recovery. Deflationary pressure still prevails. I won't buy any new flats. As for the economic recovery, it's short-lived and superficial. There will not be a full-fledged recovery until the unemployment rate drops to 5 per cent. I have no intention of buying stocks as I bought shares a few years ago and their prices have not yet gone up to their original levels.'
