As the vaccine programme continues to help contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, home prices have rebounded substantially in recent months. A flood of cheap money unleashed by global central banks has found its way into fixed assets including residential properties.

Hongkongers have emerged as among the most aggressive buyers of UK property, snapping up more than £305.6 million (US$430 million) of prime London homes in 2020. This trend is expected to continue under a new wave of emigration, as BN(O) passport holders are allowed to live in the UK under the new visa scheme.

A strong start to homebuying activity portends well for the housing and mortgage markets, suggesting it is likely hold up well for the rest of the year. With activity picking up, lenders are looking to approve more mortgage loans, slashing interest rates and offering cash rebates to gain market share.

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC) has recently introduced a pilot scheme for fixed-rate mortgages for 10, 15 and 20 years, with rates fixed at 2.55 per cent, 2.65 per cent and 2.75 per cent, respectively.

• The MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) programme has the advantages of not requiring you to live in Malaysia, and having a very low cost of investment
• Malaysia has emerged as a popular choice among Hongkongers seeking a safety haven amid long-running political crisis

Raising the mortgage cap from 2.375 per cent to 2.625 per cent will result in a HK$520 increase in monthly payments on average, which is unlikely to deter prospective buyers, says Raymond Chong of StarPro Agency

Borrowers can save HK$84,000 by enjoying a 2.1 per cent cash rebate on a HK$4 million on mortgage transfers to HSBC

HSBC is reducing the cash rebate to 1.5 per cent as it looks to restore the normal profit margin on mortgages, with other banks following suit