The most painful thing in life is not owning thing, but you have it and it slips away finally. Ah Kit 's story is a microcosm of many cross-border investors' experiences and a costly lesson in fiscal management.
In 2010, just as Zhuhai's property prices rose, Ah Kit bought a 1500 square foot apartment for 1.5 million RMB. At that time, he had the foresight to buy this property, enjoying the rental income and asset appreciation. By 2021, his property price had climbed to a peak of 5 million RMB, more than 3.3 times its purchasing price. If he had sold it, Ah Wai’s retirement plans would have been different. However, the curse coming from greed and "overconfidence" caused him to miss the golden chance. He insisted the selling price was 5.5 million RMB, so he refused a solid offer at 5.1 million RMB. At present, he regrets that he lost the last chance to escape.
In just a few years, the economic climate changed drastically. As the property bubble had been exploding. Zhuhai's property prices plummeted like a kite with a broken string. His unit was no exception, and its valuation slipped from 5 million to 2 million RMB. At the same time, property market liquidity dried up. His unit has been listed on the market for nine months with no offer. The Zhuhai agent suggested him to reduce the asking price to 1.5 million, back to his original purchasing price in 2010.
Meanwhile, Ah Kit is facing internal and external troubles in the second half of his life. At work, his monthly salary has dropped 
from 80,000 to 50,000 HKD. His monthly balance turned to Zero, having only 500,000 HKD in savings. In his family, his son has been unemployed since he graduated two years ago. This has increased his financial burden. To Ah Wai, retirement in two years will not be as easy as he preplanned.
Ah Kit cannot forget the unit's record-breaking 5 million price tag. However, asset liquidity is far more important than paper value in retirement. The 1.5 million market value of his unit is his last line of defense for retirement. So, he should not cling to past heartbreak events and do nothing. Indeed, he must face reality and convert the property into real cash flow as soon as possible.
Ah Kit's story reminds us that investing is a game of "timing," while retirement is about managing "security." When the market turns, true wisdom lies not in how to maximize profits, but in how to land safely.
