Valuing Long-Term Property Rights with Anticipated Political Regime Shifts

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2024
Volume: 114
Issue: 9
Pages: 2701-47

Authors (4)

Zhiguo He (Stanford University) Maggie Hu (not in RePEc) Zhenping Wang (not in RePEc) Vincent Yao (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We identify exposure to political risk by exploiting a unique variation around land lease extension protection after 2047 in Hong Kong's housing market due to historical arrangements. Relative to properties that have been promised an extension protection, those with unprotected leases granted by the current government are sold at a discount of 8 percent; those with colonial leases suffer an additional discount of 8 percent. Incorporating estimated structural parameters that suggest an additional 20 percent ground rent after 2047, our model matches empirical discounts well across lease horizons. Discounts increase over time, particularly in areas with greater pessimism about the city's future.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:114:y:2024:i:9:p:2701-47
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-02-02