Shops are expected to change hands briskly in coming months as an influx of hot money and lower borrowing costs for non-residential property spur investment interest, agents say.

Figures from Ricacorp (CIR) Properties indicate transactions in retail properties increased 16 per cent last month from August to 448, and the total value edged up 2 per cent to HK$ 6.37 billion.

“The inflow of hot money will add fuel to the fire,” Kelvin Li Chun-lung, senior sales director at Midland Commercial, a unit of Midland Realty, said.