Two Chinese megacities lift home purchase curbs to attract buyers
Two Chinese provincial capitals, Hangzhou and Xian, have lifted all home purchase restrictions to attract buyers and support their struggling real estate markets. The last property boom in many Chinese cities ended around 2020-2021 due to the pandemic and strict borrowing requirements imposed by regulators. Authorities have been implementing measures to bolster the sector, but many policies have had limited impact. Hangzhou saw a 1.0% increase in new home prices in March, the slowest pace in nearly six years, while new home sales slumped 75% year-on-year in April. The move by Hangzhou and Xian to remove purchase restrictions was described as symbolic and unlikely to significantly boost demand. Analysts believe that prices need to fall further before the property market can see a sustainable rebound in demand.