今日全球楼市速递(2010.09.03)

　　Mainland China

　　1. Land acquisitions almost quadrupled in Shanghai in August as real estate developers expanded their land banks in a little less overheated market. A total of 24 parcels, covering 1.2 million sq m, were sold in the city last month, compared with 9 plots, covering 320,000 sq m, in July, according to property information portal Soufun.com. In terms of price, 7 of the 24 plots were traded at asking prices, a situation rarely seen during the boom times when most land parcels were auctioned at record high levels, Soufun analysts said. Last month also witnessed a notable rebound in land supply, an effort made by the local government to further cool the housing market. In August, a total of 43 parcels, covering 2.337 million sq m of which 1.31 million sq m were designated for housing development, were released to the local market, Soufun research showed. That compared with 664,000 sq m in July. Under a government plan released earlier, land pieces totaling 5 million sq m should be released in Shanghai during the 3rd quarter. (Shanghai Daily).

　　2. Shanghai’s existing house index fell for the 3rd consecutive month in August but recovering buyer momentum was detected. The index, which monitors price fluctuations of existing homes across the city, lost 8 points, or 0.31%, from July to 2,543 last month, the Shanghai Existing House Index Office said. That compared with a 0.53% drop in July. The monthly index ended its 15-month rally in June after rein-in policies by central government since April reduced sales. "Buyer sentiment rebounded in August after discounts, though not major ones, were offered by real estate developers across the city," said Tao Ting, an analyst with the index office. Shanghai's rental index rose 0.73% in August, extending a rally for 15 straight months since June 2009. Apartments under all categories registered rent growth from a month earlier, the rental index office said. The prices of existing homes in 5 downtown districts registered an average 0.17% decrease last month, compared with a decline of 0.36% in July. Across the city, 62 of the 68 areas tracked by the compiler suffered drops with the remaining 6 witnessing price gains. That compared with 63 drops and 5 gains in July. Among the losers, Sanlin in Pudong New Area posted the biggest decrease with prices of existing homes down 1.41% in August. It was followed by Zhenbei in Putuo district and Gongfu in Baoshan district, down 0.92% and 0.87%, respectively. (Shanghai Daily).

　　3. China will conduct research on the vacancy rate of houses in some cities as part of an effort to collect information and improve methodology for drafting future policies, a senior government official said. The National Bureau of Statistics plans to launch investigations on vacant houses in some residential communities in selected cities, Ma Jiantang, head of the bureau, told an industry seminar, without giving further details. The bureau will probably tap the upcoming 6th national census, a once-in-a-decade count of population in China, to gather information on vacant homes, Ma said. The move comes after mounting public criticism that the current method of amassing statistics poorly reflects the real situation. (Shanghai Daily).

　　4. Denizen – a new denim brand launched by Levi Strauss &Co and targeting fast growing markets such as China and India, aims to open up to 1,000 stores in China by 2015, with estimated annual sales revenue of RMB5bn. The brand targets young customers aged between 18 and 29, selling more affordable denim products compared with the company's main line Levi's. A pair of its jeans costs between RMB339 and RMB399. It plans to open 20 stores in Shanghai and nearby Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces this year. More stores will be opened in north China next year. (Shanghai Daily).

　　Hong Kong

　　1. Following on from strong luxury home sales in July, property registrations last month hit a 31-month high of 16,946. Totaling HK$80.2 billion, commitments for deals on homes surged 32.8 percent. That was the highest level since November 2007, data from the Land Registry shows. Properties that include private and public housing units, shops and parking lots are normally registered the month after they are sold. Weaker market sentiment resulting from a new wave of official curbs in mid-August will be reflected in the registration figures for September, according to property agencies. (The Standard).