That’s Dameisha beach reflected in my hotel room balcony door. The South China Morning Post I got in Hong Kong reports that home prices in mainland China have FINALLY started to drop. The percentage drops from Sept are mostly small but 4.9% in Wenzhou – so experts worry that the downward slide may turn into a panic. In the meantime the local bank’s ATM advertises Mortgage Loans with American symbolism (see picture, is that a good thing?). The zeroes with the check marks do NOT mean ‘no down payment’ .. it’s got something to do with ‘no additional secure assets needed’. First-time buyers typically have to make a minimum down-payment of 30%, and those buying a second property must find a 60% deposit as well as paying higher interest rates.
