Fall in Hong Kong property prices may be good for the economy

Property developers, investors and homeowners are growing increasingly concerned about the government's frequent and strident statements on excessive froth in the property market. Does this mean that everyone else can rest easy?

Unfortunately not. Because property is an important pillar of Hong Kong's economy, no family or business is immune from the impact of a substantial property price drop. But there is a case to be made that, if it happened, it could be for the better.

Here's why. To start with, a fall in property prices means a significant easing of the costs of running small and medium-sized businesses, a lower cost of living for households and less so-called systemic risk for the banking system. Most important, it could mean less inflation all round and a more balanced economy.

Two studies this year and a couple of key numbers tell us much about this. Hong Kong is the world's 14th most expensive city to live in, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, and the most expensive in which to locate a business, according to real estate adviser Savills. Residential prices are more than double what they were in December 2008 and 18 per cent higher than their peak at the onset of the Asian financial crisis in October 1997.

Moreover, rent accounts for the bulk of costs for most local businesses (easily half or more in popular districts such as Causeway Bay) and one-third of the average household budget. Should economic growth stumble in response to either a faltering US or China (even worse, both), then lower rents would be very welcome.

The negative side to a property price drop would be the drag it places on economic growth. Hong Kong's property sector accounts for 18 per cent of gross domestic product and 7 per cent of jobs, although we estimate it has contributed up to 40 per cent of economic momentum since 2008.

Moreover, because listed property and construction companies have a disproportionate influence on the Hang Seng index, property price changes usually sway equity market performance too. This means ups and downs on the stock market can sometimes amplify the so-called wealth effect that property price changes have on people's spending. Seven out of every 10 Hong Kong households in private flats are homeowners, many of whom probably own equities, too. Using data since 2000, we estimate that a residential property price fall of, say, 10 per cent would trim our 2013 and 2014 GDP forecasts to around 3.4 per cent and 4 per cent year-on-year, respectively (from our current forecast of 3.7 per cent and 4.4 per cent). If, however, negative property market sentiment spills over to equity markets and pulls down the Hang Seng index by a similar 10 per cent, our current GDP forecasts could be depressed further, to 3 per cent this year and 3.5 per cent in 2014.