The city’s wealthiest citizens are moving their money amid political unrest.
As the U.K. property market rebounds from the Covid-19 lockdown, the capital’s prime residential sector has also received an unexpected boost from Hong Kong residents wanting to relocate. “We’ve never had so many serious inquiries from Hong Kong,” said Trevor Abrahmsohn , managing director of Glentree, a luxury home agency. “These buyers are looking at the top end of the market,” such as rentals of $51,100 a week and sales of up to $76.6 million, he said.
Clients have told Mr. Abrahmsohn they are reacting to the recent political changes in Hong Kong. The territory has been rocked by months of mass demonstrations and the imposition of new laws. “Some buyers have said they’d never considered relocating before but would now rather put their money in the U.K.,” he said. “They feel they’re at risk in Hong Kong.”
Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong nationals are now the largest overseas group investing in London, according to London property agency Beauchamp Estates. Purchases by Chinese investors via Beauchamp include a central London mansion valued at $226.2 million, bought by businessman Cheung Chung Kiu , and a penthouse in Belgravia at $83 million.
According to Jeremy Gee, managing director of Beauchamp Estates, Hong Kong nationals are invariably cash buyers. Unlike mainland China, there are currently no restrictions on moving money out of Hong Kong. “However, this situation may change, an uncertainty that may be boosting interest in overseas assets, like property,” he said.
Hong Kong buyers typically want new homes, or properties that have been recently upgraded and refurbished, said Mr. Abrahmsohn. They often want to purchase multiple residences for family members, he said. One client wanted six properties close together. In another Glentree-brokered negotiation, a Hong Kong businessman bid on three properties worth $103.5 million.
Destinations in Southeast Asia are also proving popular. Singapore is recognized as a stable business hub, with average prices of $1,490 a square foot, compared with Hong Kong’s $4,440 a square foot, the most expensive in the world, according to Savills Prime Index. Kuala Lumpur is one of the world’s most affordable capitals at $270 a square foot.
Peter Ng, a Singapore-based broker, said Vietnam and Indonesia also make attractive investment options. Both, he said, are much less expensive than China and Hong Kong.
Vancouver, Canada, is attracting buyers from Hong Kong.
Lisa Sun, an agent in Vancouver, Canada, said “I used to have one or two inquiries from Hong Kong a month, now I’m getting five or six a week.”
Ms. Sun said buyers include mainland Chinese and Hong Kong citizens relocating and Canadian citizens wanting to return home. The average budget of a Hong Kong buyer, she said, is $1.5 million to $2.2 million and they are more likely to consider new developments in the Vancouver suburbs, where condos or townhouses start at $450,000 to $750,000.
The West Coast of the U.S. is also a destination for high-net-worth buyers. Tomer Fridman, an agent with Compass Real Estate in Los Angeles, said the number of inquiries from Hong Kong clients has tripled this year. “We’ve seen an influx of buyers with $20 million plus, mainly in the ‘platinum triangle’ of Bel-Air, Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills.”
High-end neighborhoods in Los Angeles are particularly popular with H.K. buyers.
James Pratt, an auctioneer working out of Los Angeles, said there has been a definite shift in the type of homes now most sought after. “Buyers from Hong Kong used to want a second home in L.A. Now they’re relocating,” he said. “Instead of a condo for around $600,000, they want a house.” One in 10 L.A.-based transactions Mr. Pratt’s firm has with Hong Kong buyers exceeds $10 million.
Mr. Pratt also operates in Sydney, Australia, and reports a 10% rise in inquiries from Hong Kong-based buyers in the past three months, with half searching for homes exceeding $7.2 million. Most are moving from investment products toward long-term residences and there has been a 15% rise in off-market inquiries, with clients eager to keep transactions private.
Sydney, Australia, is another popular spot for this buying segment.
Mr. Pratt’s Hong Kong clients often have family connections in Sydney and average budgets of $1.4 million to $3.6 million. Sought-after districts include Mosman and Chatswood. Mr. Pratt recently sold three properties in each of these neighborhoods to Hong Kong buyers. Upscale developments such as Barangaroo, a major waterfront site by Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge, are also popular. Mr. Pratt has seen a 40% jump in inquiries for this development from Hong Kong-based clients over the past 12 months. One-bed properties there start at $1 million.
The influx of buyers from Hong Kong to other locations may be driven by a fear of change at home, but is welcomed in cities that have seen residential sectors hit by Covid-19. “More activity from overseas buyers is good for the market right now,” said Mr. Pratt.
The Neighborhoods Most Popular With Hong Kong Buyers
London
Hampstead and Highgate: Neighboring suburbs, northwest of the city center, with large areas of park, thriving main streets, excellent hospitals and schools. Homes include huge mansions on large plots and luxury apartment buildings. Some roads have private security. Average price: $1.9 million
Kensington: One of the most affluent areas of central London. At the heart of everything with luxury shops, restaurants, and top educational establishments. Most available property is apartments, but large detached or terraced character homes can list for $25.5 million and up. Average price: $2.8 million
Los Angeles
Holmby Hills: In the Santa Monica foothills and one of the most affluent areas in L.A. The site of palatial estate homes with famous owners. Recent sales have set records of above $100 million from buyers wanting space and seclusion with a central location. Average price: $5.9 million
Brentwood: Has a small-town feel close to Santa Monica and downtown LA, with a focus on outdoor living. Upscale boutiques, restaurants and leisure facilities attract a mix of celebs, families and hip younger residents. Average price: $5 million
Sydney, Australia
Chatswood: Vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood and business hub, 10 miles north of Sydney’s Central Business District. Has a large, established Asian community, a broad diversity of restaurants and shopping, good transport links and schools. Average price: $1.36 million
Mosman: A premium suburb, the Australian equivalent of Beverly Hills. It is 5 miles from central Sydney, popular with families, has harbor access, good schools and attracts higher-income residents. Prime waterfront homes list at around $7.2 million. Average price: $1.94 million
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver Westside: Very central, with some of the top schools in Vancouver. Close to the borough of Richmond, with the airport and the site of many Chinese restaurants and retail outlets. It also has easy access to downtown Vancouver. Average price: $2.25 million
West Vancouver: Also known as North Shore, it is situated across the Lions Gate Bridge opposite downtown. An enclave of high-end homes, most situated on a mountainside with city and ocean views. Top private and public schools. Average price: $3.75 million