In Central, Hong Kong, inside a large real estate agency shop:
"Old Wang, you haven't been here for a long time." A man wearing a white shirt said that he was an agent.
"Haha, Lao Xu, you also know the recent housing price situation. Several people I know have bought a lot of houses and lost money. If they sell them, they will lose money immediately. But if they don't sell, they are worried that they will continue to fall. But I’m so worried.” The man known as Lao Wang said with a smile.
"Lao Wang, you are still very good. You concentrate on business in Yuen Long. Now the housing trend in Yuen Long is better in Hong Kong." The agent Lao Xu followed.
"That's right, I asked some of my friends to go to Yuen Long at the beginning, but they felt that the housing prices in Hong Kong Island would rise even higher in the future." Lao Wang said with a smile.
Lao Xu said: "Yes, just because Midea Industrial Park is in Yuen Long, it has been recruiting people on a large scale recently and the wages are high. The rental prices nearby have almost caught up with the Admiralty."
"Yes, when I went to Yuen Long to buy a house, I was interested in Midea Group's factory there, but I didn't expect that Midea would develop to such a scale so quickly. The second phase of the industrial park has started to be built. I heard that, After completion, the number of people working there will be as high as 30,000, and the nearby houses are probably not enough by then." Lao Wang said with emotion.
As a qualified real estate speculator, he is definitely not a headless person, but can analyze various data to judge problems.
For example, Hong Kong's annual migrant population and export trends, the movements of some large financial groups, or the Hong Kong government's policies and major international events, etc. These are data that ordinary people only look at to pass the time. Each of them actually affects the economy. , also means that as long as you are willing to put in the effort to study, you can find a way to get rich.
In the years before the 1980s, the entire Hong Kong real estate market was going smoothly. Housing and land prices were rising rapidly. You could make money anywhere. However, after the 1980s, the gap between the average income and housing prices in Hong Kong has become too large. Lao Wang found out, and after checking with friends at the bank, he learned that many people's loans to buy houses were close to the family survival line. He already knew that something might go wrong, but he didn't know when it would happen. It was a bit reluctant to let him give up his business like this.
Therefore, he chose to start speculating in places that would not be too affected by real estate fluctuations. Midea's Industrial City in Yuen Long was his target. There were more than 10,000 people working here, and their incomes were also high. It was not low, the benefits were very good, and it was a strong economic stimulus to the nearby area, which indirectly led to the employment of more people. So, he bought more than 30 shops 1 kilometer away from Midea Industrial City and then sublet them. go out.
House prices may fall, and shop prices may also fall, but as long as Midea Industrial City remains, these people will have a lot of consumer demand. At least the impact on rent will not be big, and it will not affect his loan repayments. However, Less than a year later, Midea Group's Industrial City quickly took off. Not only did it recruit a large number of people, it also negotiated with the Hong Kong government to acquire another piece of land at a low price and build the second phase.
This made Lao Wang feel happy. The rents have increased a lot. House prices for half Yuen Long have actually risen against the trend. Currently, in Hong Kong, the only places where house prices are still rising are commercial office buildings near Yuen Long and Central.
"Brother Wang, are you planning to buy a few more houses in Yuen Long when you come to me this time?" Lao Xu said with a smile, feeling that there might be a big deal. Even the name has changed. Although the development in Yuen Long is Fast, but the commercial facilities are still not as good as those in Central. Therefore, many good types of houses there are still in the hands of many agents in Central.
"No, I'm going to buy some small office buildings near Central, with small areas, or whole floors." Lao Wang said, "However, the housing prices in Central are too high. In terms of financing, you also need to help me find it." Several trustworthy financial companies.”
The current housing prices in Central are not the best in the world, but they are at least in the top five. The money required to buy the most ordinary property here is probably enough to live in a developed country for a lifetime. Anyone who wants to speculate in Central People who want to buy a house will be under great financial pressure. This place is generally only the territory of some big players or big companies.
"I have resources in the finance company, but Brother Wang, why are you coming to Central all of a sudden? Is there any new news?" Lao Xu asked curiously.
"It doesn't hurt to tell you, you will know it soon." Lao Wang said: "Do you know that the Hong Kong government is preparing to auction the China-Pakistan terminal land recently?"
"I've heard of it, what's the matter? Do you have any inside information?" Although there was no one around, Lao Xu lowered his voice. In the real estate industry, sometimes a piece of information learned in advance can earn millions.
"Chen Zhiwen will participate in this auction. This news is exciting enough." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"Chen Zhiwen? He also wants to bid? This is big news!" Lao Xu said in shock. As an intermediary in the real estate industry, he knew that several companies owned by Chen Zhiwen had gradually faded out of the real estate market more than a year ago. The most direct thing is not to participate in the Hong Kong government's auction, nor to cooperate with other consortiums to acquire land, nor to develop any new projects independently. It is completely in a contraction stage, and it is even more obvious this year, but unexpectedly, it will actually participate in the auction.
"Yes, that's why I'm planning to take action. Chen Zhiwen probably also has his eye on this piece of land. In any case, once the news comes out, or if Chen Zhiwen takes pictures of this piece of land later, the house prices in Central will not rise again. Once." Lao Wang said with a smile.
"It makes sense. In this case, I will immediately go to inquire about the information and see where it is suitable. Brother Wang, thank you for informing me today." Lao Xu said gratefully. Normal intermediaries and customers naturally do not need to say so much, but the two of them know each other. The relationship has been very strong for decades. These words are actually about taking care of your own business. As long as you keep an eye on the Central area and win the exclusive, the benefits will be yours.
"Okay, call me if there is news." Lao Wang pointed to the BB camera in his hand and said.
"No problem." Lao Xu agreed.
"Chen Zhiwen actually came to participate in the land bidding. I really don't know why this guy suddenly became interested in the land bidding again." Inside the Kang Le Building, Niu Bijian said with a frown.
"It is probably because the attractiveness of this land is too great. Looking at Chen Zhiwen's previous strategy, it is clear that he is not optimistic about Hong Kong's real estate. However, this piece of land comes only once in ten years. If you miss it, you will never see it again. This is an opportunity." Bao Fuda, the person in charge of Real Estate, analyzed.
"It is also possible that in the past two years, Chen Zhiwen has invested a large amount of assets overseas, in the United States and the mainland. We originally thought that we would lose a strong competitor in Hong Kong. Now that he has come back, it is really a headache. He The scale of the electronics industry and its influence in Hong Kong are big enough, and if we add real estate, we will be in even more trouble." Newbijian said with a sigh.
The Hong Kong government, although Governor MacLehose has always promoted fair competition between China and Britain, but even if MacLehose really thinks so, others are different, especially after Chen Zhiwen launched forced acquisitions of British capital on many occasions.
Only since the middle of last year, Chen Zhiwen has massively reduced investment, coupled with large-scale investments overseas, and seems to have lost interest in Hong Kong's real estate market. This has made Hong Kong's British capital feel more at ease. Especially with the rapid and explosive expansion of its electronics industry, there seems to be a feeling that Chen Zhiwen no longer looks down on Hong Kong's real estate market.
"Although Chen Zhiwen's demise has put us under a bit of pressure, there are actually benefits. The value of this land is equivalent to his recognition, which is equivalent to other land in Central. This alone is enough to keep the land price in Central for a while. , and the bank is more confident about this land." Bao Fuda said.
"That's what I say, but competing with Chen Zhiwen for funds is a bit risky." Niubijian said worriedly. If three years ago, Jardine and Chen Zhiwen were going toe-to-toe with Maimang, the fundamental reason was still to compete for the title of the number one consortium in Hong Kong. But now, I have given up long ago, and even HSBC may have given up. There is no way. Several electronic products of Midea are so popular in the US market that it is difficult for people like them not to know about them, even though they don’t know the cost. And channel fees, etc., but just a rough estimate, you will know how profitable the profits are, plus Costco has already publicly raised funds, who in Hong Kong dares to have other ideas?
Even the Hong Kong government no longer dares to do anything. Midea's export products now account for half of Hong Kong's electronics industry. A large amount of Hong Kong's foreign exchange income comes from Midea, and the same goes for Galaxy Trading, another company owned by Chen Zhiwen. Controlling the export of a large number of daily necessities, the number of direct and indirect employment in Hong Kong is at least 150,000 to 200,000, including the number of their families. With such influence, as long as they do not seek death, the Hong Kong government can do nothing, let alone He said that although Chen Zhiwen often attacked British-funded financial groups, he was still very polite to the Hong Kong government. At the same time, he spent a lot on charity and was very famous.
"Although Chen Zhiwen has greater financial resources, he has not been optimistic about Hong Kong real estate before. Even if he is interested in the land king this time, there will probably be a limit. This is his own funds and he will not spend them randomly." Bao Fuda thought for a while and said.
"Yes, then prepare the funds, contact the Japanese and European banks, and prepare enough credit. We are bound to get this land, no matter who comes." Niubijian was full of confidence. said.
"Okay, I'll be responsible." Bao Fuda nodded and said.
The time has quickly come to the end of August.
As Chen Zhiwen expected, the Hong Kong government has advanced the auction of the Central Land King. It is estimated that the Hong Kong government also hopes that Chen Zhiwen will "sponsor" it. After all, many people in Hong Kong are no longer optimistic about the real estate market. This has led to the The government's previous auctions did not achieve very good results. This is unacceptable for the Hong Kong government, which almost 40% of its fiscal revenue comes from real estate auctions. The purpose of launching Land King is to stimulate the market and stimulate Chen Zhiwen. It's a surprise that it's here.
The auction was held at the Connaught Building, the headquarters of the Jardine Matheson Group. Although this is the headquarters of Jardine Matheson, part of the Noda building is also used for leasing. At the same time, it is also close to the Central Bus Terminal that is about to be auctioned. In terms of experience, , very close to the future land king’s building.
Chen Zhiwen and Zhao Lilin arrived on time. At this moment, the outside of the building was already full of reporters. This was not only the land king auction, but also a benchmark for the future Hong Kong real estate market. Chen Zhiwen's personal participation also became the focus of media attention. , this is the only time in recent years.
The security at the Connaught Building has been in place for a long time. Dozens of security guards have isolated all reporters. Even some JCs have rushed over to maintain order. After all, it is a big auction that even the Hong Kong Governor's Office is paying attention to, and the crowd gathered here , can be said to be the kind of group that controls half of the wealth in Hong Kong. Whatever happens, it is likely to make international news.
Accompanied by security guards and guides, Chen Zhiwen and Zhao Lilin arrived at the auction site on the 36th floor.
"Sheng Chen, long time no see." Li Jiacheng, who was wearing black-rimmed glasses, happened to be standing at the door. After seeing Chen Zhiwen, he immediately said with a smile.
"Yes, Li Sheng, long time no see." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said with a smile.
Since the US retail business and Midea's electronics business have further opened up the market, Chen Zhiwen has actually not paid much attention to the Hong Kong real estate market. After all, he only wants to get a share of this market, not as his main business.
In the early days when his scale was not large, real estate was a business that existed to speculate on gold in the future. After that, he basically let it go. Even in the future, he only needs to buy large properties like Land, and then hold them for a long time. That's it. Therefore, there is no big competition or cooperation with Li Jiacheng and others, and naturally there is no need to meet.
"Chen Sheng, this time, when you come here, it seems that we all have no hope." Li Jiacheng said with a smile again.
"That's not necessarily true. I haven't been to the auction for a long time. Plus, this is the Land King. I just came here to take a look." Chen Zhiwen smiled and said, "Instead of worrying about me, Li Sheng might as well worry about the land."
"Actually, I don't care. This land is indeed very good, but if the price is too high, it's still not worth it." Li Jiacheng said with a smile.
"Let's go then, the auction should start soon." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said. In the original history, Li Jiacheng did not fight with Land during the auction of this land king. This also shows that Li Jiacheng has long seen the problems in the real estate market.
It has to be said that as the richest Chinese man in history for many years, Li Jiacheng is indeed very capable. Even without Hutchison Whampoa, he has still developed Cheung Kong Holdings into the top five real estate companies in Hong Kong, second only to Land and Swire. You must know , these two companies have achieved high market value by relying on the large amount of land accumulated over the past century, but Cheung Kong Holdings obviously does not. Relying on constant transactions of buying low and selling high, Cheung Kong Holdings has become the largest owner in Hong Kong, although the land value is not as good as settlement.
Of course, if all the real estate companies owned by Chen Zhiwen are combined, Cheung Kong Holdings may not be able to compare.
After greeting other real estate giants, everyone sat in their seats.
The time soon arrived at 10:20, and the auction officially began.
(End of chapter)
