Weak mood continues for home buyers

SHANGHAI’S existing housing index fell for the fifth consecutive month in April amid sluggish sentiment among home buyers.

The index, which tracks monthover-month price changes in 130 areas citywide, lost 16 points, or 0.43 percent, from March to 3,959 last month.

Some 13,550 pre-occupied homes changed hands around the city, down 22 percent from March and a drop of 9 percent from the same month a year earlier, Shanghai Existing House Index Office said in a report released yesterday.

“It was the lowest April volume registered in six years as the market failed to capitalize on a seasonal rebound in March,” the office said. “As mortgage policies remained tight in the city and price caps continued to be imposed on new residential projects, buying momentum for pre-used residential properties would most likely remain slack while prices might go southward as well.”

Citywide, prices of pre-owned homes rose in 14 areas, fell in 93 areas, and were flat in 23 areas, according to the office.

The three most sought-after projects were in Huinan in Pudong New Area which sold 356 pre-owned homes, Pujiang in Minhang District where 336 homes were sold and Jinshan New City with 330 homes sold last month.

Around 91,819 pre-occupied homes were available for sale as of the end of April, a monthly fall of 12.4 percent, and an annual plunge of 45 percent, according to data compiled by the office.