Hong Kong March home prices up 1.1%, first rise in nearly a year

Hong Kong's private home prices reversed a 10-month falling streak in March, climbing 1.1% from February, after the financial city lifted curbs to boost the ailing property market. The increase in home prices in one of the world's most expensive property markets followed a revised 1.7% fall in February, official data showed on Friday. In late February, Hong Kong removed all additional stamp duties for foreign and second home buyers, as well as on those selling flats within two years of buying them, and the property market immediately celebrated with a jump in transactions.