Investors Flock to Land Auctions
The Land Development Center of Dan Phuong District successfully auctioned 85 land plots in a recent event.
The auctioned plots included: two plots in the Dong Say – Tram Sau area (phase 3) and two plots in Dan Phuong commune, with a starting price of VND 42 million per square meter.
67 plots were located on N1 road in Ha Mo commune, with starting prices ranging from VND 40 million to VND 51 million per square meter.
16 plots were in the De Nhi area of Phuong Dinh commune (phase 2), with starting bids ranging from VND 35 million to VND 41 million per square meter.
With 85 plots up for auction, over 1,200 participants registered, indicating a strong interest in the land on offer. The auction attracted a large number of attendees.
At the end of the auction, all 85 plots were successfully sold. The highest bid reached VND 99.2 million per square meter, double the starting price. These plots were located near the N1 road branch.
In contrast to the subdued atmosphere last year, land auctions in the outskirts of Hanoi have consistently drawn the attention of investors since the beginning of this year.
In June, more than 100 plots in Me Linh District were also successfully auctioned, with the highest price exceeding VND 70 million per square meter. Land auctions have been vibrant in Dong Anh and Quoc Oai districts as well.
Caution Advised Against Price Manipulation
Real estate experts predict that, along with legal changes, the real estate market will heat up in the last months of 2024, stimulating investor psychology to some extent.
 Hanoi’s land transactions are inching up, but prices remain high. Investors are advised to be cautious of price manipulation. Photo: Hong Khanh
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In the land segment, investors believe that with the Business Law 2023 in effect and its new regulations restricting “plotting and selling land,” the high participation in auctions is also a move to anticipate market trends.
However, experts warn that in Hanoi’s market, where housing supply falls short of demand, auctions attract not only genuine buyers but also speculators. Therefore, it is possible that some investors manipulate prices in certain auctions to profit from inflating the value of surrounding lands…
In reality, after many auctions, numerous “land brokers” emerge on social media groups dedicated to land trading, offering auctioned plots at the winning bid plus a premium depending on the location. They also take the opportunity to advertise nearby lands.
The CEO of a Hanoi-based company assesses that while Hanoi’s land transactions are gradually picking up, prices remain high. Land investors still suffer losses in many places. To improve liquidity, investors have to sell at a loss. However, the loss ratio has decreased from 30-40% to around 20%.
According to him, compared to the peak prices in 2021, there are areas where investors have to accept a 30% loss.
Mr. Thanh Cong, director of a real estate exchange in Ha Dong, said that land sold at a loss is mainly in provincial areas far from the center. Lands near the center, on main roads, or in populous areas are less likely to be discounted and are sold in smaller quantities.
“While land transactions have shown positive signs recently, a significant leap is not expected due to high prices. Many investors are still in the stage of monitoring and studying the market.
Given the challenging economic context, investors should carefully consider the hype surrounding land in outlying areas. The bustling atmosphere in certain areas may not reflect genuine investor activity but could be the result of land broker manipulations,” warned Mr. Cong.
Hong Khanh
