Hong Kong Property Prices Keep Rising

Hong Kong’s Upward Bound Real Estate

First Published Date: Feb 10, 2013

Hong Kong is the third most expensive place to buy an apartment, according to a recent report published by Global Property Guide shows. Monaco and London are the most expensive cities on earth for apartments, just before Hong Kong.

An average 600 square feet apartment is expected to cost somewhere between $500,000 to $600,000 USD. However, this high price is not a surprise as Hong Kong has been doubling its property prices in the past four years. In 2012, property prices have increased 20 percent. Hong Kong has one of the most open economies in the world and its property market is investors’ favourite due to easy and straightforward real estate transaction procedures.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Investors from around the globe, mainly from the U.S. and European countries, are flocking to Hong Kong to chase growth. Hong Kong recently implemented measures to curb its overheated property market. Some of the measures taken were to implement a 15 percent tax for foreign and corporate buyers and the extension of a special duty tax on frequent transactions, along with increasing the supply of apartments. However, these measures were proved to be insufficient to curb property prices. Sales volumes have declined, but no significant price correction has come into effect. Hong Kong’s low rate mortgage supports high property prices in the city. Hong Kong’s lending rate is tied to U. S. low interest rates to maintain currency peg to the U.S. dollar.

As long as the U.S. and developed countries keep their interest rates at a record low and go through quantitative easing, investors will be pouring their capitals in Asia to pursue growth. With capitals flocking in from foreign countries and from local buyers due to low local lending rates, the Hong Kong real estate boom may not bust that soon – as least until 2015, as the US Fed is expected to raise rates gradually starting then

FinTech EQ Bank High Interest Savings Account Worth Taking A Look

FinTech Financial Institutions Are Shaking Big Banks

First Published Date: January 15, 2017

FinTech financial institutions use technology to offer financial services that keep costs lower and it’s no wonder Internet-only operators like EQ Bank can offer to pay high interest rates on its savings account.

The EQ Bank high interest savings account just works like a regular checking account that can do all the necessary jobs of a checking account, but it gives you high interest on your deposits plus additional features for free.

Let’s take a look at some of the features available for free:

– High interest, which is currently at 2 percent

– No fees whatsoever

– No minimum balance required

– Unlimited transactions

– 5 free Interac e-Transfers® each month

– Neat smartphone app

A CBA (Canadian Bankers Association) survey shows that only 13 percent of Canadians are using branches as their main banking method and 55 percent are doing the majority of their banking online. FinTech financial services such as Borrowell, MOGO, EQ Bank, and so on are putting a dent in traditional banking services and all big banks are keeping a close eye on the market.

Instead of just researching and collecting data, some big banks have already refused to sit idly doing nothing and started taking action. For example, TD started a partnership with Moven for mobile money management tools and CIBC started a partnership with Borrowell to deliver digital borrowing experience. Other big banks are also working on similar projects.

As the Internet and technology are making lives easier with lowering costs, you will see more and more Uber-like entrants in the financial sector, disrupting big banks and the way they provide services and collect fees. Consumers are on a solid path to benefit from these disruptions.

Donald Trump Global Economy Effects In Brief

Donald Trump and Global Economy

First Published Date: November 17, 2016

The global economy was already on a rough ride due to low consumer confidence and business, weak investments and depressed commodity markets, rising debt and low interest rates, and much more. And now, to add more to the rough ride, the surprise victory of Donald Trump is another integer in the equation. Here are some of the concerns that can derail the global economy further in the Trump era.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

China

Imposing a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imported goods. This will make everything more expensive for consumers (goods made in USA also use Chinese materials) and China might retaliate with similar tariff on US imports. In the end, everyone in the globe will be a loser.

Mexico

Mexico has the most to lose if Trump does what he said he would do. Dismantling NAFTA, slapping a 35 percent tariff, rounding up illegal immigrants, and possibly more will have economic impacts on Mexico and in the US as well.

Canada

Canada actually can both gain and lose from Trump’s presidency. Cancelling or renegotiating the TTIP and NAFTA agreements are both negatives. However, approving the Keystone XL Pipeline would allow shipment of bitumen from Alberta to the U.S. and would be definitely a plus.

Trump has argued that by neglecting national debt by cutting taxes for the wealthy, cutting regulations, and reducing imports he can make the GDP grow 4 percent (from 2 percent currently). However, analysts disagree. Many believe that adopting Trump’s proposals on trades, taxes, immigration and government spending would destroy millions of jobs and the U.S. economy will be isolated and diminished.

Also, US dollars are still the main reserve currency in the world and only the US Federal Reserve is responsible for the supply. If Trump tries to influence the Fed’s policies and interest rates, it will create havoc both in the U.S. and global economy.

ADawnJournal.com Continues on AhmedDawn.com

Ahmed Dawn Dot Com

First Published Date: March 26, 2017

Please visit Ahmed Dawn Dot Com at www.AhmedDawn.com as I will be updating this new site.

Thanks.

New YouTube Banner

ADawnJournal YouTube Banner

First Published Date: January 22, 2017

If you happen to follow my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/adawn, you may have noticed that the top banner or channel art has new looks, including my name logo.

In the past, I put up a simple banner – which was just a picture of a volcano from my Tagaytay trip in the Philippines. I always wanted to make it a professional-looking banner; however, I did not have the Photoshop or graphic-designing expertise to make it happen.

After trying a few do-it-yourself banner and logo making tools online, I gave up on the idea of making a professional-looking banner and a simple name logo by myself and decided to hire someone to do the job.

The Internet has opened up endless possibilities to connect those who are seeking professional-grade work with those who are delivering it. And it’s not difficult to find a banner and logo designer anywhere in the world sitting from the comfort of my own home.

I placed an ad on one of the freelancer outsource sites to make a name logo and banner for my YouTube channel and within 24 hours I had 30 designers bidding for my work at various rates. One interesting thing to mention is that the most expensive offer was eight times higher than the cheapest.

After a massive elimination process, I decided on a young designer from Ireland who seemed to understand what I am looking for at a reasonable price. And his works met my expectations or I can even say went beyond my expectations, of course after several modifications.

I will attach the final version banner with logo with this article and you can see how it looks on YouTube by visiting my channel. As my YouTube channel traffic is going up, this modern-looking logo and banner will be a perfect fit, standing alongside with other professional-grade channels.