Earlier in the year, China’s government laid down new regulations in an attempt to avert a property bubble, but if last month’s 33 per cent year-on-year increase in home value is anything to go by, they may have to do a whole lot more to prevent the real estate industry from travelling dangerously down the path of no return.
Property prices rose 1.2 per cent in August in 70 Chinese cities, not only in major cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen but also in regional cities. Last year, the Chinese government relaxed rules on foreigners purchasing properties in China, and despite a slowing economy, property prices have continued to rise. Unrealistically? Perhaps. In Shanghai and Beijing alone, prices have risen 4.4 and 3.6 per cent respectively. In Shenzhen and Guangzhou, home values rose as well at 2.1 and 2.4 per cent respectively. Previously, only the first and second-tier cities had to grapple with sky-rocketing property prices, but the effect may have trickled down to cities of various tiers.
Property analysts are certain however, that as long as land supply remains stagnant and loans are fairly easily attained, the rise will continue. Previous curbs have yet to made a significant impact on the industry and as long as supply remains lower than demand, property prices will continue to climb.
