- Getting a UK mortgage is actually easier when you are still in Hong Kong – via the ‘buy-to-let’ route
- Buyers seeking a mortgage loan after landing in the UK will have to rebuild income proof, credit history from scratch in their applications
Paying cash for your UK home? Beware of some unintended consequences【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
• Buying UK property in cash may lead to unintended consequences down the road, including sell-on, refinancing and tax implications
• Cash-based purchases, when refinanced, will be capped at 75 per cent of the home prices with restrictions on uses of funds
Handy mortgage tips and pitfalls to avoid for first-time buyers of new houses in Hong Kong【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
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.
Getting mortgage pre-approval to ensure a safe landing on your dream home in the UK【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
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.
Hong Kong banks ease up on mortgage approvals as vaccination programme boosts homebuyers’ confidence【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
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.
Which mortgage rate will be a lifesaver for Hong Kong homeowners?【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
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.
Malaysian property provides options for investors seeking escape from Hong Kong unrest【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
- 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
The devil is in the details of Hong Kong’s relaxed mortgage rules【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
【星之谷專欄－南華早報】早前我們在《南華早報》撰文，分析新按揭成數計劃，魔鬼在細節:
- The new measure is considered to be a “godsend” for first-time homebuyers
- Double-income households can now afford to buy larger flats, compared with the nano flats they could only afford previously
Will banks raising their Hibor-linked mortgage rates take the heat out of Hong Kong’s property market? Probably not 【星之谷專欄－南華早報】
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
