************************************************
The Land Registry today (April 3) released the land registration statistics for March, 2007.
The total number of sale and purchase agreements for all types of building units received for registration in the Land Registry in March, 2007, was 9,470. This was an increase of 3.1% over February, 2007, and 2.8% compared with March, 2006.
Using a 12-month moving average, the figure for March, 2007, represented an increase of 0.2% over February, 2007, but a decrease of 8.8% compared with March, 2006.
The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $32 billion, up 20.4% over February, 2007, and 26.4% compared with the amount for March, 2006.
Among the 9,470 sale and purchase agreements, 8,039 were sale and purchase agreements for residential units. This was an increase of 3% over February, 2007, and 7.8% compared with March, 2006.
The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $25.2 billion, up 13.8% over February, 2007, and 26.9% compared with the amount for March, 2006.
Sales of residential units refer to the sale and purchase agreements with payment of stamp duty. These statistics do not include sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme and the Tenants Purchase Scheme except those after payment of premium.
The figures are contained in the monthly statistics released today by the Land Registry on deeds relating to property transactions received for registration in the Land Registry in March, 2007.
Relevant statistics for February 2007 and March, 2006, are provided for comparison. Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales are also released.
As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
Ends/Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:16
NNNN
