As Hong Kong enters the Year of the Fire Horse (Bingwu) in 2026, the property market, after several consecutive years of adjustments, remains cautious. Despite the government's full withdrawal of cooling measures, the immense pressure from high inventory levels makes it difficult for property prices to return to their peak. According to feng shui master Tang Bik-ha, combining Nine Periods Feng Shui with market data analysis, the property market in the Year of the Horse will show a "fire burning earth to ash" phenomenon. Under the dual pressures of oversupply and a weak external economy, property prices may face further downward adjustments. She suggests that investors should adopt a "cash is king" strategy this year and avoid blindly entering the market hoping for a rebound. The real investment opportunities may not emerge until after 2028.

Northern Metropolis Expected to Take Off in 2030s
Although the overall property market outlook is bleak, for those with genuine housing needs, Tang Bik-ha states that "it's always a good time to enter the market," with the key being choosing the right district. Nine Periods Feng Shui emphasizes the "Ling Shen directional theory," where "water in the north" signifies prosperity.

Therefore, she is optimistic about the northern coastal areas of Hong Kong Island, including traditional core business districts such as Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay. These areas face Victoria Harbour to the north, aligning with the "Ling Shen water" pattern of the Nine Periods, and are expected to "gain momentum" first, exhibiting stronger resilience against price declines.

Conversely, while the "Northern Metropolis" or the Northwest New Territories, vigorously promoted by the government in recent years, possesses immense long-term development potential, it may take longer to mature in terms of feng shui. Tang Bik-ha estimates that these areas may not see significant development until the mid-to-late 2030s. Therefore, homebuyers focusing on short-term appreciation or immediate convenience need to carefully consider their location choices.

High Inventory Persists, Potential Supply Exceeds 100,000 Units
On the other hand, data indicates that the main theme for Hong Kong's property market in 2026 will still be "inventory reduction." The current potential supply of new residential units in the market exceeds 100,000, a staggering figure as it almost equals seven years of absorption for the entire city. For major developers, addressing this enormous surplus inventory in 2026 remains a top priority. With supply far exceeding demand, developers will find it difficult to set aggressive prices, and the secondary market will also be affected, making price pressure inevitable.

Extreme Fire Energy May Affect Property and Stock Market Development
Tang Bik-ha notes that 2026 officially marks the third year of the "Lower Nine Periods." Looking back at the past 20 years of the "Lower Eight Periods," from 2004 to 2023, the Eight Periods belonged to the "Gen Trigram," associated with the earth element, which greatly benefited real estate development and thus created 20 golden years for Hong Kong's property market. However, the Nine Periods belong to the "Li Trigram," associated with the fire element.

Tang Bik-ha explains that although "fire generates earth" in the five elements, which seemingly benefits the property market, the fire energy in the Nine Periods is too strong, easily leading to a situation of "fire burning earth to ash" or "parched earth." This dry and hot energy does not nourish growth, but rather deprives the property market of vitality, leading to an unsatisfactory performance.

Furthermore, the Year of the Fire Horse (Bingwu) has extremely strong fire energy, leading to a situation of "fire overcoming metal." Metal represents finance, stocks, and the economic system. When metal is overcome by fire, it signifies financial market volatility, a worsening external economic environment, and geopolitical tensions. Coupled with debt crises faced by large corporations and tightening liquidity, these negative macroeconomic factors will directly transmit to the property market, causing property prices to lose upward momentum. Tang Bik-ha predicts that the unemployment rate may also slightly increase in the Year of the Horse, further weakening citizens' purchasing power for property.

Not a Time for Short-Term Speculation; Patiently Wait Until 2028
Facing a Year of the Horse with "more supply than demand" and "strong self but no wealth," Tang Bik-ha advises investors to be extremely cautious before investing in property, unless they have an urgent need for self-occupancy. She states directly that this year is definitely not the time for short-term gains, and one should not expect to profit from property trading. Due to external factors, a high-interest rate environment, or funding costs, overly aggressive investments could lead to capital being locked up.

She emphasizes that "cash is king" in the coming years. Rather than investing capital into assets in a downward cycle, it is better to preserve strength and wait for opportunities, patiently until 2028 to 2032. She predicts that when these years arrive, the overall investment environment will significantly improve, which will be an opportune time for long-term accumulation.

Source: Year of the Horse: North Hong Kong Island has best feng shui, Northern Metropolis still needs time to mature, property investment requires caution | Headline Daily
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