Mortgage FAQ

A mortgage referral service provides independent advice comparing plans across banks to find the most suitable product. We don't charge you anything and aren't tied to any one bank, so we can negotiate the best terms on your behalf.

Completely free. Our commission is paid directly by partner banks or financial institutions. Clients never pay any service or advisory fee.

Since 2024-10-16 the HKMA has standardised the LTV cap at 70% — regardless of property value, regardless of whether the flat is owner-occupied or let out, and regardless of any other mortgages you already hold. To borrow above that you need the HKMC Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP), which is owner-occupied only: (1) property under HK$11.25M — first-time buyers whose applicants are all salaried can reach 90% (loan capped at HK$9M); (2) property under HK$17.15M — up to 80% (loan capped at HK$12M); (3) above HK$17.15M there is no mortgage insurance. The maximum loan tenor is 30 years. The actual ratio still depends on valuation, income proof and the bank's own approval.

If your current mortgage rate is above market, your penalty period has passed, or you want to unlock equity for other purposes (education, renovation, investment), refinancing is worth considering. Refinancing cases often come with bank cash rebates.

Second mortgages increase your monthly repayment burden. Poor cash-flow management may lead to default risk. Some second-mortgage providers are not licensed banks and may charge higher rates. We only refer to licensed, compliant institutions and explain all terms before application.

From submission of complete documents, banks typically provide preliminary approval in 5–10 working days. Including valuation and formal approval, the full process takes 3–6 weeks. Refinancing cases are usually faster.

The HKMA officially suspended the +2% stress test requirement on 2024-02-28, but banks still apply similar internal tests during approval. Since 16 October 2024 the DSR (debt service ratio) cap is a unified 50% and the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) a unified 70% — no split between self-occupied and rented, no tiering by property value, and the 10-point reduction for applicants who have borrowed or guaranteed other mortgages has been lifted. Above 70%, consider HKMC Mortgage Insurance (owner-occupied only). We pre-calculate this before you file — try our Stress Test Calculator for an instant assessment.

Yes. Self-employed, commission-based, or multi-source income applicants typically need to provide 1–2 years of tax returns, company financial statements, or bank statements. We know how each bank handles non-fixed income and match you with the most suitable lender.