Core Insights - In October 2025, the number of existing property mortgage applications in Hong Kong increased to 6,662, up by 491 applications (8%) from September, while the number of pre-sale mortgage applications dropped to 599, a decrease of 599 applications (44%) from the previous month [1] - Year-on-year comparison shows that existing property mortgage applications rose by 2,729 applications (69.4%) compared to October 2024, while pre-sale mortgage applications increased by 51 applications (9.3%) [1] - For the first ten months of 2025, existing property mortgage applications totaled 54,228, an increase of 10,988 applications (25.4%) from the same period in 2024, and pre-sale mortgage applications reached 6,041, up by 2,435 applications (67.5%) [1] Market Share Analysis - In the existing property mortgage market, Bank of China (Hong Kong) leads with a market share of 32.2%, followed by HSBC at 19.3%, Hang Seng Bank at 15.8%, Standard Chartered Bank at 7%, and Bank of East Asia at 6.2% [2] - For pre-sale mortgages, HSBC ranks first with a market share of 23.9%, followed by Bank of China (Hong Kong) at 20.2%, Hang Seng Bank at 14.4%, and China Communications Bank at 10.5% [2] - The market share of the four major banks in existing property mortgages slightly decreased from 74.7% to 74.3% in October 2025 [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong government's recent budget proposal to extend the HKD 100 stamp duty to residential properties valued up to HKD 4 million has alleviated the financial burden on buyers, leading to a significant increase in second-hand housing transactions [1] Group 1: Market Activity - In April, Hong Kong recorded 496 second-hand housing transactions, a 36% increase from 366 in March, marking the highest level in nearly nine months [1][2] - The total transaction value for the same period was approximately HKD 18.7 billion, up 35% from HKD 13.88 billion in March [1][2] - The average price of second-hand housing in April was about HKD 3.771 million, a slight decrease of 0.6% from March's HKD 3.792 million, reaching the lowest level in over 104 months [2] Group 2: Price Segmentation - All six price segments for second-hand housing saw an increase in transaction volume, with the segment under HKD 2 million experiencing the largest growth, recording 23 transactions, a 109% increase [3] - The most active segment was the HKD 3 million to HKD 4 million range, with 246 transactions, up 59% from 155 in March [3] - By region, Kowloon recorded 151 transactions, a 72% increase; New Territories saw 297 transactions, up 29%; while Hong Kong Island had 48 transactions, a slight increase of 2% [3] Group 3: Notable Transactions - The highest recorded transaction in April was for a unit in Ngau Chi Wan, sold for HKD 8 million, with an average price per square foot of HKD 12,618, the highest for second-hand housing that month [2] - The top-performing estate in terms of transaction volume was Regal Garden in Kowloon Bay, with 26 transactions, a 271% increase from the previous month [4] Group 4: Market Outlook - The easing of the US-China trade war and the reduction in Hong Kong's interbank lending rates are expected to boost buyer confidence and overall market activity [6] - However, the transition period for the "White Form" housing scheme and the upcoming sale of new public housing units may create competition for second-hand housing, potentially leading to a decrease in transaction volume in May [6]