(Yicai Global) Aug. 28 -- Real estate prices in Guangdong should remain largely unaffected despite an expected inflow of citizens from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan heading to the mainland province as relaxed policies make them more welcome there.

"The number of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan citizens coming to live in the [mainland side of the] Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will not surge abruptly," He Qianrun, director of the Midland Realty National Research Center, told Yicai Global.

"They will migrate slowly -- Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan differ greatly from the Chinese mainland in terms of lifestyle, language and in other areas." He believes that their arrival will not drastically increase the number of home purchases so should not push up prices in the short term.

The number of offshore citizens coming to live on the mainland is expected to increase after Sept. 1, when new policies issued by the General Office of the State Council will grant more rights to them. Those who live on the mainland for at least six months and either have a stable job, a legal domicile, or are in continuous study, will be able to apply for a special residence card for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents.

The cards grant the holders the right to work, social insurance, the housing provident fund, education, healthcare and other social benefits.

"Everybody has their own living habits, so it's not easy to move from one city to another," He continued. "Even if they buy properties in Shenzhen just as an investment, there still won't be that many more purchases.

"House prices in many Guangdong cities are much lower than those in Shenzhen, and we have not found many Hong Kong and Macao residents who purchase houses for investment," he added. "Also, many people from Hong Kong are not as wealthy as we imagine, so there may not be too many of them with spare money."

Editor: James Boynton