Want to learn more about mortgages in Hong Kong? We have created this guide to help provide an overview of all that is involved with obtaining a mortgage in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has one of the most unaffordable housing markets globally, with the median home price now equal to approximately 21 times its residents’ median annual household income. So, if you plan to own your own home in Hong Kong, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do it without a home mortgage.
The most important tip when it comes to securing a home mortgage in Hong Kong
Above all, we recommend using a mortgage broker to help you figure out which bank will provide you with the best loan. This is because loans from different banks can vary in many ways including the amount of money a bank will lend you and interest rates. Read more on this below.
Want more tips? Keep reading. In this article, we will cover more tips, including:
- The best mortgage calculator when buying an apartment in Hong Kong
- The importance of bank valuations in Hong Kong
- The benefits of applying for home mortgages with multiple banks
The 9 most important factors to consider when obtaining home mortgages in Hong Kong
You can expect to have to pay a large initial down payment when purchasing a home in Hong Kong
- If you are purchasing a residential property in Hong Kong, you will likely need a large down payment.
- The government has strict rules about how much money people can borrow when buying a property in Hong Kong; this is one of the ways the Hong Kong government can help regulate housing prices.
- Your maximum loan size will depend on two major factors: whether you are buying a property for self-use and whether the majority of your income is derived in Hong Kong.
- Generally, for properties priced below HK$10ml, a 60% loan with a maximum of HK$5m may be given. However, for properties priced at HK$10ml or more, you will only be able to borrow up to 50% of the property’s value.
- The government sometimes changes the rules regarding LTVs (loan-to-value ratios). For the most up-to-date information, check the HKMA website.
Consider using a mortgage broker in Hong Kong to obtain a mortgage
Mortgage brokers are in an excellent position to advise you about everything you need to know about Hong Kong mortgages. From our experience, the benefits of using a mortgage broker when obtaining a mortgage are:
- Brokers should be familiar with lending terms across all the different banks in Hong Kong.
- Mortgage brokers should be able to advise you as to which banks are offering the lowest interest rates and inform you about a whole host of other information, such as which banks are most likely to process mortgages faster.
- Mortgage brokers will do almost all the liaising between you and any of the banks.
- It doesn’t cost extra to use mortgage brokers. Instead, the bank will directly pay the mortgage broker a commission – your mortgage terms won’t be impacted.
Savvy in HK tip: We’ve worked with Albert Fung on more than one occasion and were extremely impressed with how committed he was in helping to secure a mortgage— if you’re looking for an experienced mortgage broker, he’s your man.
Contact Albert via Whatsapp on 9267-3857.
Use the free tools available to help you calculate the size of mortage you can handle including the best mortgage calculator
As we all know, homes in Hong Kong aren’t cheap. One of the first things you need to do is do some quick calculations on a mortgage calculator and see if the numbers make sense.
Check out the simple mortgage calculator on HSBC; you’ll quickly be able to estimate total repayment, monthly repayments, maximum loan amount, and total interest payable.
Before you commit to buying a home, check out the bank valuation
When it comes to buying an apartment in Hong Kong, bank valuations are important. Lenders need to understand how much a property is worth to ensure they are not lending you too much money.
In Hong Kong, banks have to follow strict guidelines from the HKMA regarding how much money they can lend you. These guidelines are set up in terms of maximum LTVs (Loan to value).
The V in “LTV” will be the bank’s internal valuation and not necessarily the price you pay, so knowing how a bank is valuing a particular property will help you understand how much money you can potentially borrow.
While all banks will value properties differently, a simple way to get a rough guide of a particular property’s value is to check out the HSBC valuation tool.
This is a great tool; in seconds, you will be provided with HSBC’s latest valuation on any property in Hong Kong.
When comparing different mortages, look at the cash rebate of each mortgage
- Cash rebates related to mortgages in Hong Kong are a joy. Many banks will provide you with a cash rebate upon a successful mortgage application. The cash rebates vary, but you can generally expect to receive between 0.5-1.5% of your overall mortgage in cash from your lending bank.
- So, if you borrow HK$10ml approximately two months after you take out the loan, you may be able to receive HK$50,000-$150,000 in your account.
- Note, the exact amount of a potential cash rebate will depend on the precise terms of your loan. Check out the loan details.
Apply for home mortgages with multiple banks in Hong Kong
- Each bank has different rules and procedures when evaluating mortgage applications. If you are experiencing difficulties obtaining a mortgage from one particular bank, try approaching other banks.
- For example, one bank might count overseas income (i.e., non-Hong Kong income) as zero. In contrast, another bank might allow foreign income to be included in their assessment of your income.
- A good mortgage broker should be familiar with each bank’s individual mortgage rules and should be able to save you a lot of time by pointing you towards the best bank for your situation.
Get your paperwork in order before you apply for a mortgage in Hong Kong
To obtain a mortgage in Hong Kong, you will need to submit a bunch of documents. Though the documents may depend on the mortgage lender, these are the common items that will be required:
- Passport or an HKID card
- Either a provisional or formal sales and purchase agreement
- Salary deposit statements for the last 3 months
- Your latest tax demand notice
- In the absence of a tax demand notice, income proof documents must be submitted.
Be aware of all the different costs involved with mortgages in Hong Kong
As soon as you sign a preliminary sales and purchase agreement in Hong Kong, you’ll have to start signing a lot of cheques. Of course, your mortgage will cover a large portion of the total purchase costs, but here’s some detail about the different types of costs you can expect to pop-up.
- When you sign a preliminary sales and purchase agreement, you’ll generally need to pay 5% of the property’s value (although this is subject to negotiation)
- Approximately 2 weeks later, you’ll need to sign a formal agreement, and at this time, you’ll need to pay an additional 5% of the property’s value (again, the exact timing and the exact amount is subject to negotiation)
- Generally, a property will complete around 6 weeks after you sign the preliminary S&P agreement (the exact date can be negotiated)
- Upon completion of the property (i.e., once the property is finally yours), you will need to pay the real estate agents commission (you can expect to have to pay the real estate agent approximately 1% of the property’s value, but again this is subject to negotiation. We have seen this fee as low as 50bp and as high as 2%)
- You will also need to pay stamp duty. This can be hefty. The total amount will depend on whether you hold an HKID card, whether it’s your only property, and other considerations, but the cost of the stamp duty in Hong Kong when you’re buying a residential property starts at 1.5% and moves higher from there. For a full table, check out this link. Stamp duty fees move to 15% and above for non-first-time home buyers and non-Hong Kong residents.
- Legal fees: will be approximately 0.1% of the property’s value
- There are other costs to factor in, too; the cost of renovations, the cost of moving, and the cost of buying new furniture. These costs can appear small compared to the other hefty costs mentioned above, but they can really add up.
Be aware of all the fees associated with owning a home in Hong Kong
While buying a residential property in Hong Kong might turn out to be a great investment, you do need to be mindful of the costs involved. In addition to paying your monthly mortgage, you can also expect to have to pay the following:
- Management fees: if your apartment comes with facilities, you can expect these to be quite high. Even for apartments with no facilities, you can still expect monthly management fees of at least a few thousand Hong Kong dollars.
- Government rates: these rates are around 5% of the estimated annual rental and need to be paid every quarter. The exact amount of these rates is determined by the government and reflects differences in location, size, and facilities.
- Government rent: this fee is approximately 3% of the property’s rateable value and must be paid annually. The cost of the is based on the lease of the Government land on which the premises stand. This fee won’t be applicable to all properties.
- Home contents & fire insurance: your lending bank might require you to purchase these. Don’t forget to do some research to find the best insurance rates.
FAQs on mortgages Hong Kong
What are some common mortgage mistakes in Hong Kong?
Here are some things to avoid before applying for a mortgage in Hong Kong:
– Ignoring homeownership costs: It is not just the house mortgage that your home involves. There are other expenses, like quarterly government rates, insurance, repairs, and monthly management fees. So do not overstretch yourself by having a monthly mortgage amount that is too high and might become difficult to manage.
– Choosing to refinance at the wrong time: No matter how low the house mortgage rates are, it doesn’t mean it is the right time for you to refinance. Many factors need to be considered, like your credit score, savings, stake in the house, and the difference in interest rates.
– Carrying two mortgages at a time: Don’t commit to buying a new home until you have sold your old one. Committing this mistake will create incredible financial pressure.
– No future planning: Before buying a home in Hong Kong, it’s a good idea to have a good financial plan in place so that you can meet your financial obligations. Consider going to see a financial planner ahead of purchasing a new home.
– Not monitoring the credit: Make sure your credit report is accurate. A bad credit report will result in bad loan deals. So credit monitoring is important.
– Forgetting to add the real estate agent’s fee: Both buyers and sellers of a property can expect to pay a realtor’s fee. This fee is generally around 1% of the purchase price but can be negotiated.
Can non-permanent residents in Hong Kong obtain a mortgage?
Yes, non-permanent residents in Hong Kong can obtain a mortgage, but they will need to pay additional stamp duty fees. These additional stamp duty fees are high and equal a flat rate of 15% of the purchase price.
Many non-permanent residents in Hong Kong will choose to wait until they become permanent residents in Hong Kong before purchasing a residential property.
What is the maximum Loan-to-Value allowed in Hong Kong?
The maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) allowed in Hong Kong is 60%. But to obtain the maximum LTV, both you as the borrower and the property itself will need to meet several requirements, including the property needs to be for self-use, you need to derive most of your income from Hong Kong, and the property price needs to be below HK$10,000,000.
How much stamp duty will I need to pay when buying a home in Hong Kong?
– Regular Stamp duty: Don’t forget that you will need to pay stamp duty (i.e., pay money to the government) on top of the purchase price. The exact amount of stamp duty will be calculated according to the purchase price. The maximum (regular) stamp duty is 4.25% of the sales price.
– Special stamp duty: This is a duty you will need to pay if you sell your home within 36 months of buying it.
– Buyer’s stamp duty: This is an extra cost non-permanent-resident buyers will have to pay when buying a home in Hong Kong. It’s a flat rate of 15% of the purchase price.
I already have a home mortgage, should I keep checking interest rates?
Stay abreast of changes in interest rates. This will help you potentially spot an opportunity to refinance your existing mortgage at a lower rate.
While banks will generally advertise their mortgage rates on their websites, Property.hk provides up-to-date mortgage information across all the banks. From interest rates, cash rebates, and prepayment penalty periods, they also offer news, property listings, and tips to help you with your homeownership journey.
Why are prepayment penalty periods so important in Hong Kong?
Your bank will likely penalize you if you repay your mortgage within the first 2-3 years of the mortgage life. This penalty is known as an “early repayment” penalty.
This penalty will apply regardless of whether you sell your apartment or move and refinance your loan to another bank. Costs will vary according to your individual case.
Early repayment penalties are significant and could cost you up to 2% of the total repayment amount.
Finally
There are important nuances that you need to know when securing mortgages in Hong Kong. We hope you are now armed with knowledge so that you can secure the best possible mortgages in Hong Kong.
We wish you the best in your homeownership journey in Hong Kong. If we have missed any tips on securing mortgages in Hong Kong, please let us know in the comment section below.
If you live in Hong Kong and want to learn more, check out A Guide for Newbies in Hong Kong. This article covers buying second-hand goods, finding an apartment in Hong Kong, and where to buy furniture.
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