Asian investors are the largest group snapping up foreign property according to research. But in which cities are they investing? And why?

As more people's attention is being drawn to real estate as an asset class, a larger number of people are seeking out foreign property. 2017 saw a large number of Asian investors enter the market sweeping up properties from the US to Canada straight to France. Recently, contrary to expectations, their attention is being drawn to residential and commercial properties in London, UK.

Propertywire's first quarter of 2018 stats https://www.propertywire.com/news/global-news/londons-commercial-property-market-top-draw-international-buyers/ reveal that overall about 5.6 billion pounds of foreign money was invested in London, with Asian investors contributing about 4.4 billion pounds or 65% of the total investments. The next highest was Hong Kong at 5 billion with Paris following from behind at 1.9 billion pounds.

If you're looking to invest in real estate, one of the major factors you would need to consider is liquidity. Based on liquidity, these are the top performing cities for cross-border real estate investing in 2018. This is indirectly influenced by population growth, employment growth and usually followed by an increase in home values or strong rental yield. 

•   New York, USA: Brooklyn and Manhattan are two of New York's favorite hot spots for foreign real estate investors. The activity of Chinese, Russian and Middle Eastern real estate investors, paying cash on high-end properties has consistently driven New York City’s real estate price upwards. With a population growth that hasn't slowed down, New York City real estate not only offers liquidity but stability for real estate investors.

•   London, UK: Despite Brexit, London leads the way as a favorite for foreign real estate capital. In the aftermath of Brexit, the attention to both London's commercial and residential real estate has been largely driven by a weaker pound and more affordable housing. Foreign real estate activity in London is largely funded by equity funds, institutional investments, and private capital. Units in the mid-range segments have been most popular among buyers. Presently, though, the government is setting tax constraints on foreign real estate investing as the cost of home ownership increases.

•    Hong Kong, China: In 2017, Hong Kong was named the "most luxurious" prime housing market for the second year running by Christie's real estate https://www.christiesrealestate.com/eng/sales/hkg . Hong Kong's housing market has shown little cooling with 4.4 billion pounds of foreign money spent by foreign investors in 2018 first quarter. The heated market in Hong Kong, as experts pinpointed, is a major reason for increased residential housing prices all through China.

•    Paris, France: The French economy is seeing a boom with the number of foreign investment activity reaching a 10 year high last year. The French economy exceeded expectations with a 2.2% growth, a large number of jobs created and strong real estate activity. Also with fairly stable mortgage rates, many investors are picking up properties in Paris and Bordeaux. Beyond 2018, analysts speculate the South of France will experience a strong housing demand.

•    Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles may soon replace Hong Kong as the no 1 most expensive city for expats. Currently, the average price of a luxury property in Los Angeles is $2.5 million. With population growth, increasing disposable income and a thriving tech sector, Los Angeles real estate offer stability and liquidity for investors. However, housing is in short supply. A situation leading to soaring house prices. With population growth and a great economy, Los Angeles is a great option for single-family investors seeking high rental yield.

You don’t want to pay excess on a property. So, it’s important to know what a home really costs on the equity scale

Real estate whether home or abroad is a substantial, long-term investment. It is therefore imperative that you research various countries and neighborhoods before choosing one to invest in because economists agree that there is an opportunity cost to investing in a particular property.

Your research should include the existence of changing political and economic scenarios, as these would have profound impact on the housing market, especially influencing central bank rates and lending policies.

Factors Affecting Market Value of Foreign Real Estate

Location is critical. Apart from the real estate conditions existent in the country, you don't want a place with high crime rate and bad transport system. But looking ahead, you have to examine the profitability of your investment. Home appraisers looking at homes consider features like property age, lot size, internal square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities and overall condition. Hence the first step in determining your home's market value is taking an appraiser’s glasses and looking at the home objectively, writing down the principal features of your home.

How to Determine Market Value of Foreign Real Estate

Valuing a home is not an exact science but here are some things you can do to make a ‘scientific’ guess on the fair market value of a property abroad.

1. Check out comps.

Find four or five comparable homes in the area that have sold within the past six months. A local agent should be able to help you with that data. Your research on comparable homes (comps) will give you a good indication of what your intended property might be worth. Comparable homes should be roughly the same size, construction, age and style with the same number of rooms, layout and other features. You want to identify the prices at which these properties sold and how fast they left the market.

2. Calculate the rate per square foot.

For each of your comps, divide the selling price by the square footage of the property. This gives you a price per square foot or PPSF. Find the average value of these homes by adding the PPSF figures and dividing by the number of comps you are using. For example, suppose it has the following compositions:

Property A is 2,000 square feet and sells for $ 420,000. The PPSF is $ 210.

Property B is 2,200 square feet and sells for $ 480,000. The PPSF is $ 218.

Property C is 1,900 square feet and sells for $ 390,000. The PPSF is $ 205.

Property D is 2,000 square feet and sells for $ 475,000. The PPSF is $ 237.

The average price per square foot is $ 217. Multiply this figure by the number of square feet of your home to get a rough idea of ??the market value of your home.

3. Consider the special qualities of your home.

While the PPSF gives a benchmark, it does not take into account the unique features that could raise or lower the value of your home. Improvements like a new bathroom, kitchen or siding tend to add value; On the contrary, it is likely that a home in poor condition will have a lower value than a well-maintained property. There is usually a wide variety of prices per square foot based on these factors. Ultimately, you have to decide if your home is worth more or less than the average PPSF in your neighborhood.

Are you curious about what the future holds for the real estate industry? With the rapid evolution of technology and shifting market trends, it can be challenging to stay ahead of the game. In this article, we'll dive into the emerging trends in real estate 2023 that are set to shape the industry. From technological advancements to shifting demographics, we'll cover it all.

Introduction

Real estate has always been a dynamic and ever-changing industry, and 2023 is no exception. As we move towards the future, we can expect to see significant changes in the way we buy, sell, and manage properties. The real estate industry is set to undergo a major transformation as emerging trends continue to shape its landscape. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the most prominent emerging trends in real estate 2023.

The Emergence of Smart Cities

One of the most significant emerging trends in real estate 2023 is the rise of smart cities. As technology continues to evolve, so do our cities. Smart cities are designed to improve the quality of life for their citizens by utilizing technology and data to optimize city services and infrastructure. This includes everything from traffic management to public safety, waste management, and energy consumption. Smart cities are set to transform the real estate industry as they create new opportunities for developers, investors, and property managers.

Benefits of Smart Cities

• Improved quality of life for citizens
• Increased sustainability and energy efficiency
• Improved public safety
• Enhanced transportation systems

Increased Adoption of Virtual Reality

Another emerging trend in real estate 2023 is the increasing adoption of virtual reality. Virtual reality technology is transforming the way we buy, sell, and market properties. It allows buyers to take virtual tours of homes and properties, which can save time and money. Additionally, virtual reality can help property managers showcase their properties in a more engaging and interactive way.

Benefits of Virtual Reality

• Saves time and money
• Enhances property marketing
• Allows for remote property viewing

The Growth of Co-Living Spaces

As the world becomes more interconnected, we're seeing a rise in co-living spaces. Co-living spaces are shared living environments where individuals or groups of people live together in a communal setting. This type of housing is becoming increasingly popular among young professionals, students, and digital nomads. Co-living spaces are designed to foster a sense of community and provide affordable housing solutions in urban areas.

Benefits of Co-Living Spaces

• Affordable housing options
• Sense of community
• Shared resources and amenities

Shifting Demographics

The demographics of real estate are changing, and this is set to continue in 2023. The aging baby boomer population is downsizing, while millennials are becoming the largest group of homebuyers. This shift in demographics is creating new opportunities for real estate developers and investors.

Impact of Shifting Demographics

• Increased demand for affordable housing
• Demand for urban, walkable communities
• New opportunities for real estate investors

Sustainability and Green Buildings

As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, the demand for sustainable and green buildings is on the rise. Green buildings are designed to minimize their impact on the environment, reduce energy consumption, and provide a healthier living environment for occupants. In 2023, we can expect to see an increased focus on sustainable real estate development.

Benefits of Green Buildings

• Reduced energy consumption
• Healthier living environments
• Lower operating costs