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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?

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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  

Some questions

• Are you a bit skeptical about the power of social networking sites for your business in real estate?
• Do you wonder what all the fuss is about and what has a tweet got to do with the condo you are trying to sell?
• Is social networkingin your view simply a a place to meet someone new ?
• Is social networking not applicable to your business as its a thing people in their teens do?

If you answered YES to any of the above  I am going to give you a huge wake up call!

Most big businesses have a social media strategy and if you don't its only a matter of time before your online real estate activities become irrelevant.

Social Media Revolution

Social media has modernized the business community. Businesses are now able to reach consumers in a new way; through the internet. Social media has become appealing to big business as they know they can reach millions of people for the price of an article. Credible brands are utilizing social media to reach old customers, gain new ones and build or maintain credibility and reputation among consumers. Social media can take many different forms, including Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, wikis, podcasts, pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking.

I can show you why

This video will tell you why you need to get social marketing to survive in real state:

My top 5 places to sell your real estate

1. Facebook.

2. Twitter.

3. LinkedIn.

4. Myspace.

5. Youtube 

The city of London UK has always attracted the super rich with buying power beyond the reach of your average millionaire. In the eighties oil rich Arabs bought into the London housing scene the nineties saw the Russians move in with shocking wealth. Now it is the time of the Chinese who have untold riches and who are splashing out on a little bit of London town.  

A Hong Kong Billionaires has spent £33 million (USD$49,521,484.78) on a London property confirming that the new international property rich are coming from China. The purchase will have London estate agents seeking new ways in attracting the Chinese to their property portfolios that is for sure. 

The latest purchase n was made by Chinese Billionaire Joseph Lau, who has a £2.5 billion fortune. He bought a six-floor mansion in Eaton Square, Belgravia(above). The white stucco house has its own cinema, a swimming pool, and gym and servant quarters.

House purchaes like this mean only one thing London property prices will be on the up and will not represent the rest of the UK. London will be like an island of unreal property prices within the UK

Related : Housing Market news

British Musician, and TV presenter,Mylene Klass has caused a huge debate in the UK about a home owners right to self defence when an intruder breaks into their home. Unlike in the US where burglars are fair game upon trespass the British law is a lot more complicated.

Myleene Klass was warned by police for waving a knife at teenagers who were peering into a window of her house late at night. She was in the kitchen with her daughter upstairs when she spotted the youths in her garden just after midnight on Friday. She grabbed a knife and banged the windows before they ran away. British police warned her she should not have used a knife to scare off the youths because carrying an "offensive weapon", even in her own home, was illegal.

Klass's spokesman, Jonathan Shalit, said the former Hear' Say singer was "utterly terrified" by the intruders and "aghast" at the police warning. "All she did was scream loudly and wave the knife to try and frighten them off," he told the Sunday Telegraph. "She is not looking to be a vigilante, and has the utmost respect for the law, but when the police explained to her that even if you're at home alone and you have an intruder, you are not allowed to protect yourself, she was bemused." 

British law allows for self defence but it has to be reasonable and proportionate and nothing to do with revenge. In the past British home owners have been jailed for assault as a result of what the law deemed as excessive force on Burglars.

Surely once an intruder steps into your house or real estate seeking to steal or harm you and your family they should lose all rights?

More on Video

  
Myleene "aghast" As Police Give Her Knife Warning - Free videos are just a click away

More on this story Housing Market News 

UK overseas buyers seeking retirement or investment made Spain the No.1 place for them to buy real estate abroad. It offered easy access by low cost airlines and affordable property as well as lower costs of living. 2009 saw a change in Spanish real estate fortunes and the withdrawal of the UK buyers interest on a huge scale.

It is fair to say that Spain's real estate market is in trouble with UK buyers. The Spanish property market has not only been victim of oversupply and house price falls but also a scandal concerning planning permissions reversals.

A survey by overseas property website Homesgofast.com found the number one concern for overseas buyers considering buying  real estate in Spain were fears over planning regulations.  

The survey targeted people that had inquired about buying a property in Spain over the last 12 months and received 1024 replies. 63% of respondents were located the UK. The results showed that second largest concern from buyers related to the decline in the Spanish property market and house values. The survey also uncovered a fear amongst international buyers concerning fraud and being victim of a scam

 The survey asked "what was the number one concern when considering buying a property in Spain"

Survey results

36% - Planning permission issues

23% - Spanish property market / decline in house values

19% - Fear of being subject to scam/fraud

14% - Currency exchange fluctuation uncertainty

8 % - Other

 In recent news around 800 British and Irish residents marched in Almeria after demolition orders were issued for eight expat-owned homes in the nearby town of Albox. The owners are appealing but it is feared many more homes are under threat after Spanish regional authorities' overruled planning permission. It is said that thousands of Britons have bought Spanish properties in good faith, only to find they were illegally built on protected land.  

Is this an opportunity for other regions?

Will the Spanish property market bounce back?

The UK and Canadian housing market is sending out some confusing messages and I am trying to get to the truth from Canadian Realtors on the ground.

The UK property market sent home owners confusing messages all through 2009 with steady house prices increases being announced nearly every month. For those selling a property in the UK they would have thought this was a great time. But alas they were wrong as buyers were not in their abundance and banks were holding on tightly to their funds. Property valuations were very conservative causing home owners to reduce their selling prices just to add to the confusion. The media reported on a strong housing market but meanwhile the UK was and still is in recession.

I now see the same type of mixed messages coming out of Canada albeit from an outsiders point of view. Canada's housing market for the entire 2009 was a very strong one. Estimates indicate that approximately 465,000 homes were sold via the MLS, an increase of 7 percent over 2008. Average home prices also rose, about 4 percent to CA$315,000.

Global Real Estate Report.

According to the latest report on real estate trends by Scotia Economics they say and I quote "Canada still leads the pack among the markets we track," said Adrienne Warren, Senior Economist, Scotia Economics. "Inflation-adjusted average home prices in the July to September period were up 11 per cent from the same quarter a year ago, a dramatic turnaround from the 10 per cent yearly decline recorded in the opening months of 2009. "

see entire report Scotia Bank Report

Some Questions About Canada's Housing Market

Is Canada suffering a shortage of homes for sale?

Are home owners avoiding selling owing to lack of confidence?

Has the Canadian governments attempts to kick start the market responsible for these impressive statistics?

Is the Canadian real estate market more robust than others if so why ?

Useful Resources

Buy Sell of Find property in Canada with Homesgofast.com international real estate portal.

Keep up to date with UK Housing Market news

Canadian Real Estate Association YouTube

The British love affair with French property is set to continue into 2010 but why do the Brits love France so much and can other regions pick up some tips? 

The number one reason is France is very easy to get to with an abundance of low cost flights to France. For those who prefer not too fly Brits can choose to arrive in France by land or sea. The second reason is the region offers a great choice from beach type property, rural areas, ski property to city apartments it seem France has it all. 

The housing market s stable without great price increases and get rich quick schemes. Property law is well established and has a proven track record so those adverse to risk feel safer to buy a property in France. 

A huge consideration is the French lifestyle.France has been named the best place to live for the fifth year in a row by the US magazine International Living. Every January the magazine produces a ranking quality of life in countries throughout the world. The publication specializes in overseas re-locations and is well aware of international real estate and local housing markets in many countries across the world. 

International Living ranked 194 countries for the 2010 edition in nine different categories. France received the highest marks for its healthcare system and freedom, and near the top for its infrastructure. The magazine praises Paris as offering the best of everything, as well as Corsica, Provence and several other popular regions.

French Guides and property. Lean more with a guide to Living in France at http://www.frenchentree.com or to find French Propertyfor sale at overseas property portal at HomesGoFast.com

Caribbean real estate is all about how you feel!

I know many Europeans reconsidering their investment plans for holiday homes and vacations are now looking at the Caribbean. With Arctic like conditions here in the UK it seems winter sun is what its all about.

I was asked where in the Caribbean would I recommend and for me its all about how you feel when you visit the various islands.

Some Caribbean islands have been dogged by violent crime and I have found a few that almost resent visitors. What is the point in buying a place where you don't feel comfortable. When it comes to sell your dream Caribbean real estate your buyers may also feel the same way. Tourism will plummet if the island has a nightmare reputation.

So go where you feel comfortable, and I don't mean to an expats community that locks you in from the locals. Gated communities are fine but are they hiding the real problem with the island, the people?

The Caribbean is offering buyers right now lower than ever prices and they will be keen for your money, so take my advice and check how do you feel before any commitment in the Caribbean

Useful Caribbean Real Estate Resources

Find Property for sale in:

• Antigua
• Barbados
• Bahamas
• St Lucia