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Property markets heat up

As many as one half of Chinese international real estate buyers start their hunt for international property not knowing in which country they will invest.

These buyers are among the most voracious consumers of the market data that Juwai.com publishes in Chinese. In fact, we believe Juwai.com is the largest free source of Chinese-language international real estate market information in the world.

Following are some highlights from the latest market data that Chinese investors are studying. It all comes from our second-quarter 2013 global market report, produced in partnership with Global Property Guide. (See image.)

What do these statistics mean to Chinese investors?

The principal takeaway is one of reassurance. Global markets appear to be recovering from the post-crisis gloominess. That promises future growth, which will reward investments made today.

It also suggests that money invested in global property will be relatively safe from risks.  

Here are some highlights from the data:

• Global housing markets had their best performance since the boom years of 2006/7 during the year to the second quarter of 2013, based on the latest house price statistics. Inflation adjusted house prices rose in 30 of the 42 housing markets which have so far published housing statistics. This growth continues to gather strength. House prices are rising in many more countries than not, and the momentum trend is strongly upwards.
•  Asian housing markets lead the world. Taiwan is one example. There, house prices soared by 14.5% during the year to Q2 2013.
• Middle Eastern housing markets buoyant. Dubai is the world’s best performer, with house prices soaring by 18% during the year to Q2 2013.
• The U.S. housing market is robust. The S&P/Case-Shiller seasonally-adjusted national US home price index jumped by 8.5% during the year to end-Q2 2013. There hasn't been a bigger increase since 2005.
• Pacific housing markets are strong. In New Zealand and Australia, house prices are rising, by 5.24% and 2.65% respectively.
• Several European housing markets have improved sharply. Denmark, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and Sweden all saw prices rises of from 3% to 7%. Even so, the twelve weakest housing markets are all in Europe. They include Cyprus, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium and Russia.

[Image source: Our World with Me Apartment by Chris on Flickr.com]