China homebuyers rush online to finance downpayments
Peer-to-peer lenders help buyers struggling to make a deposit after a tripling of home prices since 2000
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
Beijing
QIAN Kaishen and his wife almost gave up in August on buying a bigger home. As apartments at Shanghai Villa, a project they liked near the city's Hongqiao Airport, started selling, the money they had saved for the deposit was tied up in a 5 per cent-return investment.
Then property agency E-House China Holdings Ltd offered the couple a 280,000 yuan (S$58,755) one-year bridge loan at zero interest. The loan came from online investors through E-House's Internet finance website. It covered about half the downpayment and was just enough to make up the shortfall.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
TRENDING NOW
Shelving S$5 billion office redevelopment plan proved ‘wise’ as geopolitical risks mount: OCBC chairman
OCBC is said to emerge as lead bidder for HSBC Indonesia assets
Middle East-linked energy supply shocks put Asean Power Grid back in focus
Eurokars Group introduces rental car franchises Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo to Singapore