Key property markets in Asia Pacific see price increases in first quarter of 2012
14-05-2012
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Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta showed increases in the first quarter, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore showed declines whilst Mumbai was stable.
Jakarta was up 4.3% in the first quarter of this year and in the twelve months to the end of March 2012, delivered the strongest price performance among the monitored markets, with growth of about 16%.
After declining over the past six months, luxury residential prices in Hong Kong showed initial signs of stabilizing, up 1.4% quarter on quarter, largely due to low interest rates and more active mortgage lending by banks.
Average prices in Singapore’s luxury prime market declined by 2% quarter on quarter after remaining stable for six consecutive quarters on the back of on going rental adjustment.
Capital values for luxury apartments in Shanghai fell by 1.2% quarter on quarter, while average prices in Beijing fell by 2.3% as tightening policies remain in place and sales volumes are down in the China Tier I markets.
Kuala Lumpur saw high end capital values up by 6.9% in the first quarter due to some additions to its stock. Capital values would have been largely stable ignoring the change to stock.
‘The first quarter increase is a continuation of a trend we have witnessed over the last 18 to 24 months in the Indonesian residential market, where price increases have been consistently pushed through by developers on the strength of robust demand levels,’ said Todd Lauchlan, country head for Jones Lang LaSalle Indonesia.
‘Demand is being driven by significantly increased affordability, and with record low interest rates, high consumer confidence levels and strong income growth we expect to continue to witness the rise of the Indonesian middle class,’ he added.
Luxury residential prices in Hong Kong showed initial signs of stabilising after declining over the past six months, while growth in some emerging South East Asian markets helped to offset price declines in Singapore and China. The sales markets showed mixed performance, with slightly more buoyant activity in Hong Kong and Singapore late in the first quarter, while China continued to record fewer launches and sales.
Looking ahead, Jane Murray, head of research for Asia Pacific, said that prices in China are expected to decline further over the next 12 months, as policy restrictions are likely to remain in place and developers are likely to introduce more price discounts.
She said that prices in Hong Kong and Singapore are also expected to decline over 2012, as a result of projected rental correction, generally weaker investor sentiment as well as policy risks.
‘That said, the extent of price correction in Hong Kong will likely be limited by the tight supply situation. Among emerging South East Asian markets, the Jakarta sales market should see the strongest price growth on the back of a strong economy while prices in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok should be largely stable,’ she explained.
