The property market is being increasingly affected (影響) by the political scenario (政治形勢)- making any forecasts difficult, a top executive at one of Hong Kong's largest non-listed (note 2) developers claims.
"We all know the next government will come into office (上任) in 2012 and they may adopt policies different from current ones. These policies are hard to predict (預測)," Nan Fung Development managing director Donald Choi Wun-hing told The Standard. He also urged the current administration to lay down (note 3) a comprehensive (全面的) policy on land and property management.
On a more positive note (好消息), Choi said despite government measures to cool down (note 4) the sector, demand for luxury homes is rising. "The increasing demand for luxury homes (豪宅) is a reflection of the economic well- being (經濟健康發展) of Hong Kong," he said. "As you can see, a lot of companies have come in for initial public offerings (上市). " Though Choi says forecasts are tough now, he is confident that property prices will continue to outpace (note 5) inflation this year.
Home prices have risen 12.3 percent in the six months since January despite government tightening measures (收緊政策) issued in November and last month. This came as the Consumer Price Index (物價指數) in May rose 5.2 percent from a year ago.
In April, Nan Fung along with Wing Tai Property (0369) successfully bid for (成功投得) a site on Ko Shan Road, Hung Hom, for HK$1.525 billion - the upper end of an estimate. Choi said the firm is now studying bidding possibilities for several plots (地皮). It is believed Nan Fung has submitted a tender for a 2.54-hectare plot in Tung Chung bearing size restrictions that has an estimated value of HK$3.554 billion.
From good to better English:
(note 1) hold sway=動搖、操縱。Branches in Victor’s garden sway in the wind=Victor花園的樹枝在風裏搖晃。Co Co is not swayed by Ivy’s arguments=Co Co不為Ivy的議論所動。
(note 2) non-listed=沒有上市。List=目錄、名單。Mei Mei is in the Hong Kong government’s black list= Mei Mei名列香港政府的黑名單。a shopping list=購物清單。
(note 3) lay down=定下。Lay an ambush=設下埋伏。 Lay a snare=設下陷阱。 Lay mines= 佈雷。 Connie Lam lay the table for breakfast=ConnieLam 擺食具預備開早飯。
(note 4) cool down=冷卻。Cool(形容詞)= 冷淡的，冷酷的，沈著的，冷靜的，天氣很.涼。a cool head=頭腦冷靜。cool as a cucumber=冷靜沈著。Albeit being fired, Bo Bo remained cool= 雖然被裁掉，Bo Bo仍然保持冷靜。cool it=沈著。
(note 5) outpace=追過，發展快過 (To surpass or outdo, as in speed, growth, or performance)。China’s growth always outpaces Hong Kong’s=內地的經濟發展總比香港快。
Victor’s View: My experience is that you will never regret buying an apartment. Despite short term swings, in the long run prices will go up, due to inflation and demand from mainland Chinese who want to migrate to Hong Kong. I had a painful experience. I lost confidence in the market and sold my flat in Taikoo Shing for HK$1 million. Now it’s worth $10 million. I can retire now had I kept that flat. I should start looking……….
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
沒有留言:
張貼留言