Hong Kong’s luxury housing market sees rising interest with renewed city buzz

Market Recovery - Hong Kong's housing market is showing signs of recovery, with home prices rising 3.25% in 2025, marking the first annual increase in four years [15] - The revival is supported by expectations for a strong fundraising year in the stock market, with international firms planning to open new branches in the city [15][1] - Mainland Chinese homebuyers have significantly contributed to clearing housing inventory, spending a record HK$138 billion in 2025, particularly in the luxury market [7][15] Residential Market Dynamics - Interest rate cuts have boosted mortgage demand and rising rents are encouraging residents to purchase homes [2][15] - Developers are regaining pricing power due to improved supply and demand dynamics, with some builders already planning to increase prices for existing projects [4][5] - Banks and property services firms anticipate residential price growth this year, with projections ranging from a 5% to a 10% increase [6][15] Commercial Real Estate Challenges - The commercial real estate market remains weak, with a vacancy rate for Grade A offices rising to 17.5% and rents falling by about 5.8% [9][15] - Investors are primarily focused on trophy assets in key business districts, while other areas struggle to attract tenants [9][10] - Commercial real estate transactions above HK$100 million increased by over 12% in 2025, the first rise since 2021, but international funds are largely absent from the market [11][12] Economic Influences - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority's interest rate cuts have alleviated loan payment pressures for builders and homebuyers, stabilizing overall asset prices [6][15] - The influx of over 230,000 new arrivals due to the government's talent program has driven residential rents to record highs, making home ownership more attractive [14][16] - The ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the US may pose risks to the recovery, with limited catalysts for a major rebound in the property market without improvements in economic relations [8][15]