The Real Price Of Real Estate

17/10/2014
2641 Views
by Thomas Harper

Hong Kong is currently the world's most expensive place to buy a home. An apartment just sold there for $60 million. The city's property market is notoriously volatile. Booms and busts are frequent. Locals in the Chinese city often trade apartments as frequently as Americans would trade shares. 

The reality is how does this compare against other markets and are potential purchasers aware of the opportunities in other markets.

Real Estate as we know it is changing with visas and passports being dangled as bait from various governments tax breaks, tax incentives all being showcased as a reason to invest into a country but the real question is, "where should I buy?"

If history is anything to go by Spain is a sure bet at the moment but for how long? 

History may also repeat itself and if that were to be the case there is some life yet here to make the best of those opportunities.

Mortgage loan approvals increased for the first time in four years in Spain, in yet another sign that the housing market is stabilizing after  six years of slump.

Home loan approvals increased 2% year-on-year in March, the Madrid-based National Statistics Institute said recently, noting that it was the first rise since April 2010. The total amount lent by banks also went up by 16%, the first increase since 2007.

Foreign investment in Spain’s housing market in 2013 was the highest for nine years, at €6.45 billion (US$8.95 billion), up 16% on the previous year, according to the Bank of Spain. 

British nationals were the biggest buyers with 15.1% of total foreign residential property purchases.  The French bought 9.84%, the Russians 8.58%, and Belgians with 7.26%.

But before we all jump on the band wagon we still need to understand the market and potential risks.

A good place to start is with price comparisons, this can be with in the surround market and overseas markets, as we live in a world of data its not too difficult to compare like for like across the globe.

So what does €1.6 million buy you in Marbella 

If you look at a shoebox in Hong Kong or townhouse in Marbella its always good to compare what you get for you hard earned dollar

For more information on the properties showcased here or to get a personal analysis of your choice please email to info@assetfolio.com and we will arrange an introduction.

 

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