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Why new-builds far outsell used homes in Hong Kong

Developers in Hong Kong are slashing prices to clear their unsold inventory, and analysts expect the split with the used market to last; the old flats wait.

On air: Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield on Best of BBN
Published 5:54 AM ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026

Photo: Hong Kong — Photo: Mustang Joe · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by SCMP: “New vs old: why new-builds are far outselling used homes in Hong Kong”.
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 5:54 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Hong Kong.
BBN covered this story before: Legally in the US, Hong Kong citizens caught in ICE crackdown (October 10).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

SCMPNew vs old: why new-builds are far outselling used homes in Hong Kong

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOkay, so what happened? Hong Kong people are suddenly buying brand new apartments and ignoring the old ones?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorPretty much. The SCMP says new-build sales have surged, while used homes have recovered only modestly. Developers have been slashing prices to clear their inventories.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSlashing prices. So the new ones are on sale.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorRight. Used sellers mostly haven't matched that.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentDoes this affect me? I live in a rented basement in Ohio.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNot directly. It's a Hong Kong story. Analysts say the gap is likely to last for some time.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd what happens next? Do the old flats get a clearance rack?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorUnclear. The report doesn't say. So the old flats wait, and presumably gather character.