"Originally we planned to start selling the special units around the time when the project was completed, because potential buyers would want to see the flats first," Chan said. "But because of the introduction of the new levy more than a month ago, we have had to adjust our plan."

The project is completed, and the developers are now handing flats over to buyers. They would offer viewings of the remaining units next year. Chan said the 20 special flats were worth about HK$2.5 billion in total.

The new buyer's stamp duty, introduced in late October to cool the property market, imposed a levy of 15 per cent of the price on non-permanent residents and corporate buyers.

Chan said the tax had affected sales and he hoped the government would review this measure in the first quarter of next year. But he expected buyers to return to the market gradually once sentiment improved. Nan Fung Development deputy general manager Raymond Lai Hok-leung said the new tax had affected end-users and investors.

Since the market is usually quiet during the festive season, he expected more buyers to return to the market after the Lunar New Year in February.

Credit Suisse research analyst Joyce Kwock said developers now needed more time to sell their flats.

Luxury home sales dropped 19.3 per cent month-on-month to 7,035 in November, according to Thomas Lam, director and head of research and consultancy for Greater China at property consultancy Knight Frank.

But owing to limited flat supply, a low unemployment rate and low inflation, Lam expected home prices to remain relatively stable next year, with movements of less than 5 per cent.

"As potential buyers who cannot afford the high prices or are waiting for a price drop are expected to shift towards the leasing market, home rents are expected to gain 10 to 15 per cent next year, with sustained supply and stable demand," he said.