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China’s home price growth remains robust

By our correspondents
June 20, 2017

BEIJING: Home prices levelled off in China´s biggest cities in May but continued to climb nationwide, indicating demand remains resilient despite a series of government measures to keep the market from overheating.

Firm price gains highlight the challenge Chinese authorities face in calming a frothy market without disrupting the economy, in which real estate is a major driver of growth. Economists say the pace of price growth across different market tiers clearly shows a passing of the baton from the centre to the regions.

They also fret over still-rising prices against an already high base, saying upward price pressure remains. "While a moderation in price growth in first- and second-tier cities shows the curbs had some effects, we must note that prices are still rising with new unit prices at record high levels," said Sam Xie, head of research at property services provider CBRE China. "We expect more cities to impose curbs in the future. "Average new home prices in China´s 70 major cities rose 0.7 percent in May from the previous month, in line with April and remaining the quickest gain since October, Reuters calculated from an official survey out on Monday.

Compared with a year ago, new home prices rose 10.4 percent in May, easing from a 10.7 percent gain in April, Reuters calculated from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data. Policymakers have prioritised stabilising an overheated market ahead of a Communist Party reshuffle later this year, reiterating the need to avoid dramatic price volatility that could threaten the financial system and harm social stability.

The housing bureau in Guangdong province´s Qingyuan city said last week prices for pre-sold new units must be sold at no more than 5 percent higher or no more than 15 percent lower than in similar projects in the area in the past month, effectively setting a price cap and floor to stabilise the market. The NBS said price growth for new homes in China´s 15 most overheated cities - mainly provincial capitals with the most stringent curbs - has remained "basically stable" from the previous month as city-based control measures continued to take effect.