Meridians: 45% of respondents who do not own property are considering purchasing their first property next year. The mortgage interest rate will remain at 3.25% in the first half of next year.

mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services successfully interviewed 540 respondents through online access this year. The survey showed that among non-property holders, 45% are considering buying a property next year, while another 45% are adopting a "wait-and-see" approach or staying put, with renting accounting for 10%. Among citizens considering buying a property for the first time, over 86.2% intend to use it for personal occupancy. Zhang Haoxi, the operational director of mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services, stated that the risk of weakening employment in the United States is greater than the risk of rising inflation, predicting that the Federal Reserve may make another precautionary rate cut in the first half of next year. The interest rate trend in the second half of the year will depend on the new policies of the next Federal Reserve chair. In Hong Kong, there have been 5 interest rate cuts totaling 0.875% between 2024 and 2025, with the best rate (P) returning to the level before the interest rate hike cycle. In theory, there is no more room for lowering in Hong Kong P. As for the Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (HIBOR), it is expected to fluctuate between 2% and 3% in the first half of next year, with the actual interest rates for new mortgages generally remaining at 3.25%. The trend of HIBOR will depend on the US interest rates and fund flows. If there is more inflow of funds into Hong Kong, HIBOR may have a chance to challenge levels below 2%, giving homeowners an opportunity to offer loans at interest rates lower than the ceiling.