Meridians: The number of new properties taken in Hong Kong in September increased by more than 20% compared to the previous month. It is expected that the number of properties taken in the fourth quarter will continue to decrease slightly.

mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services' Vice President, Cao Deming, stated that in September, the number of new mortgage applications in Hong Kong increased by over 20% month-on-month, believed to be supported by individual large-scale property buyers. Since the Hong Kong government relaxed the loan-to-value ratio last year, buyers can now apply for up to 70% mortgage without needing mortgage insurance. There is currently no significant increase in demand for mortgage insurance, and it is expected that the mortgage numbers in Hong Kong will continue to fluctuate slightly in the fourth quarter. According to the latest data from mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services' research department and Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, in September, the number and amount of new mortgage insurance plan loans in Hong Kong was 1276 cases and 64.1 billion Hong Kong dollars, compared to 1350 cases and 68.42 billion Hong Kong dollars in August, a decrease of 74 cases (5.5%) and 4.32 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.3%) respectively, reaching a 9-month low in both cases and amounts. In September, the number and amount of new mortgage insurance plan loans taken out was 715 cases and 34.76 billion Hong Kong dollars, compared to 584 cases and 27.75 billion Hong Kong dollars in August, an increase of 131 cases (22.4%) and 7.01 billion Hong Kong dollars (25.3%) respectively, setting a 12-month high in both cases and amounts. The average new mortgage amount was 4.86 million Hong Kong dollars, an increase of 110,000 Hong Kong dollars (2.3%) from the previous month, reaching a 5-month high. Additionally, in new mortgage cases, 41% were for new properties and 59% were for second-hand properties. In comparison to the first 9 months of 2025, the number and amount of new mortgage loans granted was 12,490 cases and 623.37 billion Hong Kong dollars, a decrease of 4,114 cases (24.8%) and 243.04 billion Hong Kong dollars (28.1%) from the same period last year, setting a 9-year low in both cases and amounts. In the first 9 months of this year, the number and amount of new mortgage loans taken out was 5,411 cases and 267.47 billion Hong Kong dollars, a decrease of 2,440 cases (31.1%) and 136.74 billion Hong Kong dollars (33.8%) from the same period last year, setting a 9-year low in both cases and amounts.