Shih Wing-ching speaks to RTHK's Timmy Sung
The founder of the Centaline Property Agency, Shih Wing-ching, said he wants the government to consider easing two property cooling measures, now that home prices are falling.
The two taxes – the double stamp duty and buyer's stamp duty – were introduced about two years ago to curb speculators, and top officials have reiterated that the measures are here to stay.
Speaking after attending RTHK's City Forum, Shih said relaxing the measures could boost housing supply, which could help bring down prices.
But economist Andy Kwan, from the ACE Centre for Business and Economic Research, said the government is unlikely to relax the measures because homeowners still face a heavy burden servicing mortgages.
The two taxes – the double stamp duty and buyer's stamp duty – were introduced about two years ago to curb speculators, and top officials have reiterated that the measures are here to stay.
Speaking after attending RTHK's City Forum, Shih said relaxing the measures could boost housing supply, which could help bring down prices.
But economist Andy Kwan, from the ACE Centre for Business and Economic Research, said the government is unlikely to relax the measures because homeowners still face a heavy burden servicing mortgages.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1230837-20151220.htm
