Do Expats really lower property prices?

[hullexile]

Well my rent only went up 5% which seems a lot lower than average so perhaps I am having an effect. I'll just need to turn the Kareoke (sp?) up a bit more and perhaps I can get a rent reduction.

[pin]

Are you sure they said "expats" and not "indians and africans". Lots of landlords around who have given instructions to their agents to not show their flats to Indians and africans.... you know, us dark, funny smelling people.

KIA, not that I ever doubt you (by the mere fact that you're the ruler and overload of this domain), but is this really true?

[ontheroad]

I would have thought that people here were so money-driven that they would rent to anyone, regardless of race, nationality, shape and size. Plus expats are probably more likely to have a higher rental budget than locals, right?

[HKNewBi]

I would have thought that people here were so money-driven?

That isn't very correct, is it?

[BenderLives]

KIA, not that I ever doubt you (by the mere fact that you're the ruler and overload of this domain), but is this really true?

i would agree to this. it happens in Boston and NYC as well. At least with Indians that I know of. I mean no racist remark by this...but Indian people generally do have an overwhelming smell to them from the spices they use for cooking. Alot of landlords do not want this odor in the building, as it is quite thick of a smell that travels and lingers.

i personally love the smell...but could understand it. not saying its fair...but it is true.

[cheesypeas]

Wow, that no doubt will open a can of worms....

Actually, my ex girlfriend worked in a property agency here some time ago (it was a large chain) and they produced marketing collaterial and decided to photoshop out the pictures of "foreigners" because they do not intend to stay in HK long and therefore harder to find buildings that will accept them. Actually, it was only conduit rd that was originally designated by the government that foreigners can live. Apparently they have relaxed that rule and thats why you do see some foreigners living in other parts of mid-levels.
Its lucky for me, as I got my current girlfriend to look around the house where I live now in North Point, as I know this area would not accept non-locals. You can imagine the surprise on my watchmans face when I first got mail from the mail box down stairs!!!

[KnowItAll]

>> KIA, not that I ever doubt you (by the mere fact that you're
>> the ruler and overload of this domain), but is this really true?

Absolutely true and first hand experience, when I was in the rental market in mid levels.

[KnowItAll]

cheesy - Now that is nonsense .. HK's never had designated zones.

[Beuze]

To cheesypeas

Wtf ?? How long was that ago 200 y ?


I have been living for 10 years an never in any expat ghetto nor ask any chinese friend to help me find a flat !

[jaykay]

Wow, that no doubt will open a can of worms....

Actually, my ex girlfriend worked in a property agency here some time ago (it was a large chain) and they produced marketing collaterial and decided to photoshop out the pictures of "foreigners" because they do not intend to stay in HK long and therefore harder to find buildings that will accept them. Actually, it was only conduit rd that was originally designated by the government that foreigners can live. Apparently they have relaxed that rule and thats why you do see some foreigners living in other parts of mid-levels.
Its lucky for me, as I got my current girlfriend to look around the house where I live now in North Point, as I know this area would not accept non-locals. You can imagine the surprise on my watchmans face when I first got mail from the mail box down stairs!!!

You can't be serious with that! There has never been designated areas! Foreigners have been living all over HK for at least a couple of hundred years......