Power Tools for International Real Estate Practitioners

Housing rules are getting tough all over. A quick spin around the globe shows that even the wide-ranging Fair Housing Policy implemented in the US, can’t cover every type of bias. For example, in order to secure housing in some buildings in India you must be a vegetarian. In the province of Quebec, Canada, some apartments insist only non smokers need apply. Those looking to promote affordable housing in the Scottish Highlands, wanted to restrict new home buyers by tenure. These exclusions could give new meaning to the term lifestyle housing.

Posted on August 17 at 01:41 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The sleepy island of St. Kitts was a dream come true to a few fortunate British souls who were looking for secluded second homes. However this once affordable, undiscovered gem is now gleaming for all to see. European tourists and investors have descended on the island, at the invitation of the local government, to help boost the faltering economy, after the fall of the sugar cane industry. To some, the flurry of new developments bring the signs of opportunity, wealth, and a chance to own a sliver of paradise. However to the original 39,000 inhabitant, it is also the harbinger of overcrowding, escalating prices, and environmental consequences on a once tropical oasis, with no traffic lights.

Posted on August 11 at 12:48 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)

China’s measures to cool it’s piping hot housing market seem to be effective, but buyers are still bewildered. Although most buyers are hedging their bets that prices are still on the decline, some holdouts have found that, although many areas have come down, the most desirable areas are holding their prices. Places like Shanghai and Beijing, may have slipped, but they have not spiraled downward as many had hoped.

Posted on August 3 at 02:49 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0) | TrackBacks (0)