It was once a popular time to buy Aussie real estate, but a week-long China holiday has produced a surprise from Chinese buyers this year, with data showing their home preferences are changing. Chinese real estate portal Juwai.com's director Carrie Law said countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Japan were proving more popular because prices were lower and it was easier for Chinese buyers to send money. The five most popular suburbs for China-based buyers over the past year were the Sydney CBD, Chatswood, Parramatta, Olympic Park and Edmondson Park, reports News.com.au (8 October 2018).