The Blueprint: A Foreigner’s Guide to Mastering the Mortgage Agreement and Buying a Home in Dalian

I’ll never forget the moment I decided to buy a home in Dalian.

After several years as an expat professional, the city had become more than just a posting; it was home.

The idea of putting down real roots, of owning a piece of the skyline I’d come to love, was exhilarating.

That excitement lasted until the first stack of documents landed on my desk.

Suddenly, the dream felt like a nightmare.

My stomach was in knots, churning at the thought of the immense financial commitment.¹

I was terrified of “screwing up” ² a process I didn’t understand, in a legal system that wasn’t my own.

The mortgage agreement wasn’t just a contract; it was a dense, multi-page behemoth of legalese, a veritable Great Wall of Paperwork.

I’d read the horror stories online—tales of lender misconduct, abysmal communication, and critical documents lost in bureaucratic black holes.³

I felt completely overwhelmed, adrift in a sea of clauses and conditions that seemed designed to confuse and trap the unwary.

The breakthrough, the epiphany that saved my sanity and my home-buying journey, came from a simple but profound shift in perspective.

I stopped seeing the mortgage agreement as a legal trap and started seeing it for what it truly is: an architectural blueprint for a financial dwelling. Just like a blueprint guides the construction of a physical house, ensuring it is structurally sound and compliant with local codes, a mortgage agreement is the detailed plan for the financial structure you are about to build.

It’s not a monster to be feared, but a plan to be understood.

This guide is that blueprint, translated from impenetrable jargon into a clear, navigable plan for any foreigner looking to build their own home in Dalian.

Part I: The Paradigm Shift – A Mortgage Isn’t a Contract, It’s a Blueprint

The power of an analogy is that it can transform the unfamiliar into the familiar.

The process of building a house is complex, but the concept of a blueprint is universally understood.

It’s a detailed plan that ensures every element, from the foundation to the roof, is correctly placed and functions as part of a coherent whole.⁵

A mortgage agreement serves the exact same purpose for your financial commitment to a property.⁶

Let’s extend this analogy:

• The Foundation: This is the core financial structure of your loan—the principal amount you borrow and the interest you pay. It must be solid, or the entire structure is at risk.
• The Load-Bearing Walls: These are the key rights and responsibilities of both you (the borrower) and the lender. They are the non-negotiable elements that define the shape and integrity of your agreement.
• The Internal Systems: Think of the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. This is the flow of money within the agreement—escrow accounts for taxes and insurance, the schedule of payments, and the network of fees that keep the system running.
• The Local Building Code: These are the specific, unchangeable regulations of the jurisdiction you are building in. For our purposes, this is the unique legal and regulatory landscape of China, and more specifically, Dalian. You cannot build your financial house without adhering to these codes.

By viewing the mortgage through this lens, the task changes.

You are no longer a potential victim of fine print; you are a project manager, reviewing the plans to ensure a successful build.

This framework turns intimidation into empowerment, allowing you to ask the right questions and identify potential structural weaknesses before you ever break ground.

Part II: Laying the Foundation: The Core Financial Structure of Your Dwelling

Every structure begins with a solid foundation.

In your mortgage blueprint, this foundation consists of three core components that determine the size, cost, and duration of your financial commitment.

The Plot of Land (The Principal Loan Amount)

The principal is the total sum of money you borrow from the lender.⁸

This is the plot of land upon which your financial house will be built.

It’s crucial to understand that this amount is not necessarily the same as the property’s purchase price.

The lender will base the loan amount on the

appraised value of the property, which is an independent assessment of its worth.⁹

If the appraisal comes in lower than your agreed-upon purchase price, you will be responsible for covering the difference out of pocket.

The Groundwork & Materials (Interest Rate & Amortization)

This is the cost of building your financial house.

It’s determined by the interest rate—the price you pay for borrowing the principal—and the amortization schedule, which is the plan for how you’ll pay it back.

• Interest Rate: The Cost of Your Materials: The interest rate directly impacts your monthly payments and the total cost of your home over time.⁸ There are two primary types:

• Fixed-Rate Mortgage: The interest rate remains the same for the entire life of the loan.¹¹ This provides stability and predictability, like buying all your building materials at a locked-in price. Your monthly payment for principal and interest will never change.
• Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): This type of loan often features a lower introductory interest rate for an initial period, after which the rate can change periodically based on market conditions.¹¹ This can be a “too good to be true” offer.¹² While the initial payments may be temptingly low, a rise in market rates can cause your payments to skyrocket, a risk many first-time buyers underestimate.¹³ Before committing to an ARM, it is essential to model a worst-case scenario to ensure you can still afford the payments if the rate adjusts to its maximum possible level.¹⁴

• The LPR: China’s Foundational Benchmark: In China, mortgage rates are not set in a vacuum. They are tethered to the Loan Prime Rate (LPR), a benchmark interest rate published monthly by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC).¹⁵ Most mortgage offers will be quoted as the LPR plus or minus a certain number of basis points.¹⁸ This means that while you can compare offers from different banks, the rates will all be anchored to this central benchmark. This makes the overall loan package—including fees and service quality—just as important, if not more so, than minor differences in the rate itself.
• Amortization Schedule: The Payment Timeline: This is a detailed breakdown of every single payment you will make over the life of the loan.⁸ It shows how each payment is divided between reducing your principal balance (paying for the house itself) and covering interest charges (paying the bank for the loan). In the early years, a larger portion of your payment goes toward interest. As time goes on, this shifts, and more of your money goes toward building equity by paying down the principal.¹¹

The Construction Timeline (The Loan Term)

The loan term is the total time you have to repay the mortgage, typically 15 or 30 years for a home purchase.⁸

This choice has significant financial implications:

• A shorter term (e.g., 15 years) means higher monthly payments, but you will pay significantly less in total interest over the life of the loan. This is like a faster, more intensive construction schedule that costs more upfront but is cheaper overall.
• A longer term (e.g., 30 years) results in lower, more manageable monthly payments, but you will pay far more in total interest. This is a slower, less expensive monthly build, but the total cost of the project will be much higher.¹⁰

Part III: Erecting the Structure: Rights, Responsibilities, and Key Clauses

Once the foundation is laid, the blueprint details the structural components—the walls, windows, and doors that give the house its shape and function.

In a mortgage agreement, these are the clauses that define the rights and obligations of both you and the lender.

Load-Bearing Walls (Core Obligations)

These are the non-negotiable pillars of the agreement.

Failure to uphold them can cause the entire structure to collapse.

• Borrower’s Responsibilities: Your fundamental duties are clearly defined. You must make timely payments, maintain adequate property insurance, pay all property taxes, and keep the property in good condition.⁹ In a Chinese mortgage contract, these are explicitly detailed as the mortgagor’s core obligations, including accepting inspections from the lender and bearing all costs for the collateral’s upkeep.¹⁹
• Lender’s Responsibilities: The lender also has critical obligations. They must provide accurate and complete information about the loan terms, transparently disclose all fees and charges, and service the loan fairly.³ When a lender fails in these duties, it can be considered lender negligence or even abusive practice.

Windows and Doors (Clauses Governing Use and Transfer)

These clauses control how the property can be used and what happens if it changes hands.

• Occupancy Clause: Many mortgage agreements, especially for favorable loan terms, require the borrower to occupy the property as their primary residence for a specified period.⁸ This is a critical point for foreigners in China. National regulations strictly limit foreign buyers to a single property for personal dwelling purposes only.²⁰ Obtaining a residential mortgage for a property you intend to use as a full-time rental (which is prohibited for foreigners) could be considered mortgage fraud.²³
• Due-on-Sale Clause: This standard provision stipulates that if you sell the property, the entire remaining mortgage balance becomes immediately due and payable.⁸

The Fine Print on the Plans (Critical Hidden Clauses)

These are the “landmines” ²⁴ that can cause significant financial harm if overlooked.

They are often buried in the details of the contract.

• Prepayment Penalty Clause: This clause imposes a fee if you pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule, either through a sale or refinancing.⁸ This can be a major financial trap if your plans change and you need to sell the property within the penalty period (e.g., the first few years of the loan). It is crucial to understand if your mortgage has this penalty and how it is calculated.¹⁰
• Acceleration Clause: This is one of the most powerful tools a lender has. It gives them the right to demand immediate repayment of the entire outstanding loan balance if you default on your obligations (e.g., miss several payments).⁸ This clause is the legal trigger that allows the lender to initiate foreclosure proceedings.
• Insurance Clause: This requires you to maintain adequate homeowner’s insurance on the property.⁸ A specific sample contract from Dalian notes that if the mortgagor fails to secure proper insurance and it results in a financial loss for the lender, the mortgagor is responsible for providing compensation.¹⁹

To help you identify these critical components in your own agreement, the following table translates the dense legal terms into plain English and explains their specific importance for a foreign buyer in China.

The Blueprint’s Key Structural Elements (Critical Mortgage Clauses)
Clause Name	Plain English Explanation	Why It Matters for a Foreign Buyer in China	Source(s)
Occupancy Clause	A rule stating you must live in the home as your primary residence.	This is paramount. Chinese law restricts foreigners to one property for personal use. Violating this could lead to severe legal and financial penalties, including being accused of fraud.	8
Acceleration Clause	If you default on the loan, the lender can demand you repay the entire balance immediately.	This is the legal switch that initiates foreclosure. Understanding what constitutes a “default” in your specific contract is vital.	8
Prepayment Penalty	A fee charged if you pay off the loan too early (e.g., within the first 3-5 years).	If your work situation changes and you need to leave China and sell the house, this penalty could cost you thousands. You must know if this clause exists and for how long it applies.	9
Due-on-Sale Clause	When you sell the property, you must pay off the entire mortgage balance at that time.	This is a standard clause, but it confirms that the mortgage debt must be fully settled before you can realize any profit from the sale and transfer funds out of the country.	8
Insurance Clause	You are required to keep the property insured against damage (e.g., fire).	Chinese contracts may hold you personally liable for any losses the lender suffers due to your failure to maintain insurance, going beyond just the risk to your own equity.	8

Part IV: Installing the Systems: The Flow of Money and Fees

A house needs functional systems—plumbing, electrical, HVAC—to be livable.

In your mortgage blueprint, these systems represent the flow of money: how regular payments are managed, how associated costs are paid, and what fees you’ll encounter along the Way.

The Plumbing & HVAC (Escrow Account)

Many mortgage agreements require the setup of an escrow account, which is managed by the lender.⁸

Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment is deposited into this account.

The lender then uses these funds to pay your property taxes and homeowner’s insurance premiums on your behalf.²⁵

This system acts like the automated plumbing and climate control for your financial house, ensuring that these critical, property-related bills are always paid on time.

This protects both you from penalties and the lender from tax liens on their collateral.

The Utility Meters (Associated Fees)

The final cost of your home is always more than the purchase price.

The blueprint will include numerous fees, like utility hookup charges, that can significantly inflate your total cost of ownership.

• Closing Costs: This is a broad category of fees you pay on the day you finalize the purchase. It is crucial to get a detailed breakdown of these costs well before closing. Key documents like the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure (standard in the U.S.) are designed for this purpose, providing a transparent, itemized list of all charges.²⁵ While the exact forms may differ in China, you should proactively demand a similar written breakdown from your lender. Common closing costs include loan origination fees, appraisal fees, and title insurance.²⁵
• Hidden Fees: Be wary of vague charges like “mortgage account fees” or “administration fees”.¹⁴ Question every line item that is not clearly explained.
• China-Specific Costs for Foreigners: This is where the costs can truly escalate for an expat buyer. On top of standard closing costs, you must budget for a number of significant taxes and fees. These can include a Deed Tax of 3-5% of the selling price, a Transfer Fee of around 0.5%, Stamp Duty of 0.05% (paid by both buyer and seller), and Notarization Fees of about 0.3%.²⁰ All told, these additional costs can easily add up to 10% or more of the property’s purchase price, a massive sum that must be budgeted for in addition to your down payment.²⁰

The Breaker Box (Prepayment Privileges)

This is the control panel for paying your loan off faster.

The opposite of a prepayment penalty, prepayment privileges define the rules for making extra payments toward your principal balance without incurring a fee.¹⁰

Most mortgages have restrictions on how much extra you can pay each year.

Understanding these rules is essential if you plan to use future bonuses or savings to shorten your loan term and reduce your total interest cost.

The sheer volume of these extra costs is one of the biggest shocks for foreign buyers.

A buyer might focus intently on the purchase price and down payment, only to be blindsided at closing by tens of thousands of dollars in taxes and fees they hadn’t accounted for.

A failure to budget for at least 10-15% of the purchase price on top of the down payment can completely derail the transaction at the final, critical stage.

Part V: The Local Building Code: A Deep Dive into Buying in Dalian, China

You cannot build a house without adhering to the local building code.

Similarly, you cannot secure a mortgage in China without understanding and complying with its unique and strict regulations, especially as a foreigner.

This section is the Dalian-specific addendum to your blueprint.

Zoning & Permits (Eligibility for Foreign Buyers)

China’s rules for foreign property ownership are highly restrictive and non-negotiable.

• The One-Year Rule: To be eligible to buy property, a foreigner must have worked or studied in China for at least one year with a valid residence permit.²⁰
• The “One Property, Personal Use” Rule: Foreigners are permitted to own only one residential property in China. Furthermore, this property must be for personal dwelling purposes. You are explicitly prohibited from renting it out or acting as a landlord.²⁰
• The Land Lease System: A fundamental concept to grasp is that all land in China is owned by the state. When you buy a property, you are not buying the land itself but are acquiring the right to use it via a long-term lease, which is typically 70 years for residential properties.²⁰
• The Unique Government Approval Process: Unlike in many other countries, the transaction is not final between you and the seller. After signing the official sales contract, it must be notarized and then submitted for approval by the local government’s Foreign Office. The purchase must also be registered with the local police station.²¹ This adds a significant bureaucratic layer and potential for delay to the process.

Neighborhood Analysis (The Dalian Real Estate Market, 2024-2025)

The condition of the local market will heavily influence your purchase, from price negotiations to mortgage availability.

• National Context: China’s real estate market has been in a significant downturn since 2021, with falling prices and weak buyer confidence being major themes.⁹ In response, the central government has enacted sweeping stimulus measures, including cutting mortgage rates to historic lows, reducing down payment requirements, and easing purchase restrictions in many cities.²⁸
• Dalian Specifics: As a major second-tier city, Dalian is part of this national trend. The government has actively implemented stimulus policies locally. For instance, in early 2025, Dalian reduced the minimum down payment for Housing Provident Fund loans to just 20% for both first and second homes.³² Historically, Dalian has been a competitive market for borrowers; in late 2020, it was even listed among the top 10 cities in China with the
  lowest first-home mortgage rates.³³ While the market is undoubtedly facing headwinds, these local policies are designed to support buyers.
• Interest Rate Environment (2024-2025): National policies have pushed mortgage rates to their lowest levels in decades.³⁴ As of May 2024, the national rate for first-home provident fund loans over five years was cut to 2.85%.³⁵ In Dalian specifically, the rate for a first-time homebuyer using the provident fund is 2.85% for a loan term of 6-30 years.³⁷ Commercial loan rates are also at record lows, with major banks adjusting existing mortgages down to rates at or below the benchmark LPR.³⁸ Some analysts suggest rates below 3% are possible.⁴¹

Local Contractors (The Purchase & Mortgage Process in Dalian)

The following tables provide a step-by-step checklist for the purchase process and a snapshot of the current financial landscape in Dalian, synthesizing the complex procedures and data into a manageable format.

Table 1: Foreigner’s Home-Buying Checklist for Dalian
Step	Action Required	Key Consideration	Source(s)
1. Qualification	Obtain proof of one-year residence in China from the local Public Security Bureau.	This is a non-negotiable first step. Without this proof, you cannot legally purchase property.	21
2. Team Assembly	Appoint a reputable real estate agent and consider hiring a lawyer.	An agent experienced with foreign buyers is invaluable. A lawyer can help vet the complex contracts.	20
3. The Hunt	View properties and make an offer.	Be clear about your budget, including the extra 10-15% for taxes and fees.	20
4. Preliminary Agreement	Sign a preliminary sales agreement and pay a deposit (typically ~1% of purchase price).	This agreement outlines the basic terms and conditions and secures the property while you formalize the deal.	21
5. Official Contract	Draft and sign the official, detailed Sales & Purchasing Agreement.	This is the legally binding contract. It must be thorough and accurate.	21
6. Notarization & Approval	Have the official contract notarized and approved by the local Foreign Office.	This is a mandatory step unique to foreigners and can take time. Your agent should guide you through this.	21
7. Mortgage Application	Submit your notarized contract, ID, and proof of income to the bank to apply for the mortgage.	Gather all required documents in advance: ID, residence permit, income/tax statements, and the purchase agreement.	15
8. Closing & Title Transfer	Visit the Deed and Title Transferring Office to finalize the sale and transfer the title.	This is the final step. The ownership certificate will be issued a few weeks later, making you the official homeowner.	20

Table 2: Dalian Mortgage & Real Estate Snapshot (Q3 2025 Est.)
Metric	Data / Status
Market Trend	Part of a national market downturn, but with signs of stabilization due to strong government stimulus. Price declines have slowed.
First-Time Buyer Min. Down Payment (Commercial)	Standardized nationally at 15-20%.
First-Time Buyer Min. Down Payment (Provident Fund)	20% in Dalian.
Current First-Time Buyer Mortgage Rate (Commercial)	At or near historic lows, potentially below 3.5%, based on the 5-year LPR (currently 3.5%) minus a margin.
Current First-Time Buyer Mortgage Rate (Provident Fund)	2.85% (for loan terms of 6-30 years).
Data synthesized from sources: 9

Part VI: Emergency Systems & Exits: Navigating Pitfalls, Default, and Foreclosure

Even the best-laid blueprints can encounter problems during construction.

Your financial house needs emergency systems—fire alarms and evacuation plans—to manage risks and navigate worst-case scenarios.

The Fire Alarm (Common Lender Problems)

The most frequent and frustrating issues often have little to do with interest rates and everything to do with human error and poor service.

These are the “fires” that can break out during the mortgage process.

• Poor Communication: This is the number one complaint from borrowers.³ Unreturned calls and emails from a loan officer create immense anxiety and can leave you in the dark at critical moments, potentially jeopardizing deadlines in your purchase contract.⁴
• Document Hell: Borrowers often report being asked for the same documents multiple times, or being told that paperwork they submitted was lost.⁴ This is not just frustrating; it can cause significant delays that push your application past key dates, forcing you to submit even more updated documents.
• Incompetence and Last-Minute Denials: One of the most painful experiences is having a loan fall through at the last minute due to an incompetent loan officer who issued a sloppy pre-approval letter without properly verifying your financial details.³ By this point, you may have already spent significant money on an appraisal, movers, and other non-refundable costs.

The quality of your lender and their communication protocols are just as important as the interest rate they offer.

A slightly higher rate from a competent, responsive lender is far more valuable than a rock-bottom rate from a disorganized one who might cause your entire purchase to collapse.

Vetting your lender and agent based on reviews, responsiveness, and direct experience with foreign clients is a crucial step that should not be overlooked.

The Evacuation Plan (Default & Foreclosure in China)

This is the blueprint for what happens if the unthinkable occurs and you can no longer make your payments.

• The Trigger: A default (failure to make payments) will cause the lender to invoke the Acceleration Clause, making the entire loan balance due immediately.⁸
• The Process: If you cannot pay, the lender has the right to initiate foreclosure proceedings. This is a legal process where the lender takes possession of the property and sells it to pay off the outstanding debt.⁹
• Complexities in China: The foreclosure process in China is not always straightforward. The legal system has complexities regarding property rights that can heighten the risk for all parties involved. For example, pre-existing leases on a property may survive a foreclosure, and construction liens can be given “super-priority” over a mortgage lien.⁴⁵ This underlying risk can make lenders more cautious and potentially less flexible if a borrower encounters temporary financial hardship. It underscores the importance of maintaining payments, as the path out of default can be uncertain.

Conclusion: From Blueprint to Dream Home

I eventually signed the final documents for my Dalian apartment.

The stack of paper was just as thick, the clauses just as dense.

But this time, I wasn’t filled with fear.

Armed with my “blueprint” framework, I walked into that meeting not as a potential victim, but as an informed project manager.

I knew which structural elements to inspect, which systems to question, and which local building codes were non-negotiable.

I signed not with a churning stomach, but with the quiet confidence of someone who understood the plan.

The journey to homeownership, especially as a foreigner in a market as complex as China’s, is undeniably daunting.

It is a path laden with bureaucratic hurdles, financial risks, and moments of profound uncertainty.

But it is not an impossible one.

The key is to demystify the process, to transform the mortgage agreement from an intimidating legal monster into a detailed, logical plan that you can navigate with purpose.

You don’t need to be a lawyer or a banker to succeed.

You just need to know the right questions to ask.

This guide is your first set of blueprints.

Now, you can go build your home.

Works cited

1. Mortgages – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Mortgages/
2. VA loan offers : r/RealEstate – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/1mgwajb/va_loan_offers/
3. Mortgage Lender Complaints and Bad Reviews By Borrowers, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://gustancho.com/mortgage-lender-complaints-and-bad-reviews/
4. 3 Common Complaints About the Mortgage Lending Process – Floify, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://floify.com/blog/3-common-complaints-mortgage-lending
5. Top 8 Analogies Every Financial Advisor Can Use to Connect with Clients | Dunham, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.dunham.com/FA/Blog/Posts/top-8-analogies-for-financial-advisors
6. www.contractscounsel.com, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.contractscounsel.com/t/us/mortgage-agreement#:~:text=Typically%2C%20mortgage%20agreements%20include%20essential,the%20terms%20of%20the%20agreement.
7. What is a mortgage? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-mortgage-en-99/
8. Understanding Mortgage and Loan Agreements in Real Estate Transactions, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://calkinslawfirm.com/understanding-mortgage-and-loan-agreements-in-real-estate-transactions/
9. Mortgage Agreement: What is it? Key Terms, Considerations, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.contractscounsel.com/t/us/mortgage-agreement
10. Understanding your Mortgage Contract – mbrcc, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.mbrcc.ca/UnderstandingyourMortgageContract
11. What Is a Mortgage? Types, How They Work, and Examples – Investopedia, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mortgage.asp
12. Mortgage Offers: Process, Components and Tips – Veterans United, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.veteransunited.com/futurehomeowners/too-good-to-be-true-mortgage-offers/
13. What makes a mortgage a nightmare? : r/RealEstate – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/18vq0r0/what_makes_a_mortgage_a_nightmare/
14. Mortgage Loans – Learn Before Signing – Rocket Lawyer, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.rocketlawyer.com/real-estate/home-ownership/real-estate-financing/legal-guide/mortgage-loans-learn-before-signing
15. Mortgage | UOB (China) Limited Personal Banking, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.uobchina.com.cn/personal-en/loans/index.page
16. China Loan Prime Rate – Trading Economics, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://tradingeconomics.com/china/interest-rate
17. China Banking monitor – BBVA Research, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.bbvaresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/China-Banking-Monitor_2024_edi-6.pdf
18. Major commercial banks to slash mortgage rates – Chinadaily.com.cn, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202410/12/WS6709dbada310f1265a1c737f.html
19. Mortgage Agreement between Dalian Befut Wire & Cable …, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://contracts.justia.com/companies/befut-international-co-ltd-35947/contract/686941/
20. Buying property in China as a foreigner (2024): The complete guide – Wise, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-china
21. Can Foreigners Buy a House in China? – AnyVisa, accessed on August 6, 2025, http://anychinavisa.com/news/can-foreigners-buy-a-house-in-china/
22. Buying Property in China as a Foreigner, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/asia/china/buying-guide
23. Mortgage Fraud- What might happen? : r/RealEstate – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/1bzcxjk/mortgage_fraud_what_might_happen/
24. Watch Out for These Pitfalls in Your Real Estate Purchase Agreement, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://themortgagereports.com/38674/potential-landmines-in-a-real-estate-purchase-agreement
25. Making Sense of Mortgage Documents: Your Comprehensive Guide – Amres Corporation, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.amres.com/amres-resources/making-sense-of-mortgage-documents-your-comprehensive-guide
26. Can Foreigners Buy Apartments in China? Yes!, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://fdichina.com/blog/foreigners-buy-property-in-china/
27. Visualizing China’s Real Estate Market Downturn, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-chinas-real-estate-market-downturn/
28. China tightens regulation for loans to real estate sector, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://english.www.gov.cn/statecouncil/ministries/202012/31/content_WS5fedca5dc6d0f72576943027.html
29. China’s Real Estate Market: Where do things stand? What can be expected in 2025?, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.conference-board.org/publications/China-Real-Estate-Market-What-can-be-expected-in-2025
30. After Mortgage Rate Cut, China’s Biggest Cities Ease Property Rules – Sixth Tone, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1015967/after-mortgage-rate-cut%2C-china%E2%80%99s-biggest-cities-ease-property-rules
31. China to cut mortgage rates for existing home loans, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202409/24/content_WS66f21f44c6d0868f4e8eb31e.html
33. December 31, 2020, accessed on August 6, 2025, http://filecache.investorroom.com/mr5ir_rong360/309/download/Mortgage%20Credit%20Availability%20Loosened%20at%20End-2020%3B%20National%20Mortgage%20Rates%20Dropped%2031BPs%20YoY.pdf
34. China Cuts Housing Loan Rates to 30-Year Low to Boost Market – Mingtiandi, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.mingtiandi.com/real-estate/research-policy/china-cuts-housing-loan-rates-to-30-year-low-to-boost-market/
35. Provident fund loan rates, down payment requirements lowered-News-Longhua Government Online, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.szlhq.gov.cn/english/news/content/post_11301967.html
36. China to cut individual housing provident fund loan rates by 0.25 percentage points, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202405/17/content_WS6647081ac6d0868f4e8e7362.html
37. 大连市个人住房公积金贷款须知, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://si12333.cn/qa/mumau.html
38. Chinese Banks to Cut Existing Mortgage Rates to 30 Bps Below Benchmark Lending Rate, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/chinese-banks-to-cut-existing-mortgage-rates-to-30-bps-below-benchmark-lending-rate
39. China’s major lenders unveil measures for mortgage rate adjustment – City News Service, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.citynewsservice.cn/news/China’s-major-lenders-unveil-measures-for-mortgage-rate-adjustment-znxwl06m
40. China to cut interest rates for existing home loans by Oct. 31, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202409/30/content_WS66f9fb51c6d0868f4e8eb697.html
41. China scraps mortgage rate floor, cut down payment ratios in ‘unprecedented’ policy package to bolster property market – Global Times, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1312512.shtml
42. About Home Purchase | Mortgage | Bank of China (Hong Kong …, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.bochk.com/en/mortgage/tips.html
43. China’s Residential Property Market Analysis 2025, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/asia/china/price-history
44. China – Weighted average interest rate on loans (market interest rate) – MacroMicro, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://en.macromicro.me/charts/16113/cn-loan-interest-rate
45. Stabilizing China’s Housing Market in: IMF Working Papers Volume 2018 Issue 089 (2018), accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2018/089/article-A001-en.xml