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The strength of the Chinese economy has now reflected in impressive house price rises in Hong Kong. According to the latest Knight Frank Global House Price Index Hong Kong the country with the highest growth was Hong Kong with prices rising by nearly 30%.Prices in Hong Kong and Mainland China increased by over 25%, driven upwards by a massive injection of liquidity into the economy by the Chinese government s fiscal stimulus package.

Meanwhile in the Middle East Dubai saw huge house price falls of some 42%. This should present good opportunities for those speculating with international real estate. However concerns for over supply and whether Dubai real estate prices has yet reached the bottom may deter investors.

Can we learn from what is happening in these regions , it seems government intervention is the key to strengthening the economy and the Chinese have got it right?

Useful Resources

Houses For Sale 

Online Estate Agents 

A UK property selling survey conducted by the National Association of Estate Agents found that divorce, debt, death and a new job were key reasons for people selling a property.

The survey also found that the majority of people looking to move home did so to get a bigger property 1000 estate agents were asked to find the top three reasons people gave for wanting to buy or sell a home. 41% of estate agents said needing to repay debt was a major factor forcing homeowners to sell their property, while 39% were buying or selling a home following a family death.

A Question For You!

I wonder if the reasons for selling a home is the same worldwide. The UK survey seems a little obvious what other reason top the list in your area?

Why People Lose Their Homes

See:5 Stupid Ways To Lose Your Home

Weird and wonderful homes from around the world from a UFO house in the USA to an upside down house in Poland  

When it comes to the housing market and the Internet the UK presents a strange situation. All research indicates that 80% of buyers go to the Internet to find their next home. The figures for those selling online are dramatically lower with only 2-5% max selling online. So why the big difference? It could be said that maybe the Brits are very conservative and don't trust online estate agents. Others may suggest that the UK estate agency industry is so strong that new models cannot break into the maket.

I feel that the UK is virgin territory for new online real estate services that will help you sell your home and at the same time provide a service from a realtor.

Online agencies are not for sale by owner operations but more like a centrally based companies that can provide most of the services a traditional estate agent can supply but at a fraction of the cost. Lower overheads and a lack of fancy offices means many operate on a fixed cost basis

Is this model the future of real estate?

See examples of online estate agency in action here : Online Estate Agencies