Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 1,850 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold in the first quarter of 2019 as per Stamp Duty record, and the total value of transactions was MOP10.55 billion, down by 20.3% and 25.5% respectively quarter-to-quarter.
Purchase and sale of residential units decreased by 377 quarter-to-quarter to 1,379 units, and the total value fell by 26.5% to MOP8.32 billion. Number of existing residential units transacted dropped by 277 to 1,186, amounting to MOP6.44 billion, down by 22.3%. Transaction volume of pre-sale residential units declined by 100 to 193 units quarter-to-quarter, and the transaction value reduced by 38.1% to MOP1.88 billion.
With respect to the average price per square metre of usable area, the overall average price of residential units decreased by 4.8% quarter-to-quarter to MOP102,576, with the average prices of those in the Macao Peninsula (MOP98,693), Taipa (MOP105,065) and Coloane (MOP126,822) falling by 1.2%, 8.4% and 8.0% respectively.
The average price per square metre of the existing residential units dropped by 1.5% quarter-to-quarter to MOP96,235. Most of the transacted units were in NATAP, with 233 units; 151 units were in Baixa da Taipa and 102 in Areia Preta & Iao Hon. The average prices per square metre were MOP132,199, MOP98,683 and MOP90,979 respectively.
As regards pre-sale residential units, the average price per square metre decreased by 10.4% quarter-to-quarter to MOP131,768. There were 89 transacted units in Coloane, 36 in Baixa da Taipa and 24 in Horta Costa & Ouvidor Arriaga; the respective average prices per square metre were MOP128,488, MOP135,939 and MOP134,301.
The average prices per square metre of office units (MOP101,990) and industrial units (MOP51,640) went down by 13.3% and 5.5% respectively quarter-to-quarter.
In the first quarter, there were 1,799 real estate purchase and sale contracts signed, and the number of properties involved (1,886) fell by 34.4% quarter-to-quarter. Meanwhile, 1,979 mortgage contracts were signed, and the number of properties involved (3,085) dropped by 9.5%.
As regards construction in the private sector, there were 14,572 residential units in the design stage, 7,394 under construction and 258 under inspection as at the end of the first quarter. During the quarter, 38 residential units were issued the construction permit; all of them were studio flats with a usable area of less than 50 square metres located in the Macao Peninsula. Meanwhile, 35 residential units were issued the licence of use and 34.3% of them were three-bedroom units.