Today Analysis: Why do Wealthy Chineses Rush to Buy Real Estate in Sydney and Thailand?

As the global pandemic continues to shake up the world, the real estate market is seeing some interesting trends. One such trend is the rush of wealthy Chinese buyers to acquire property in Sydney and Thailand.

The Sydney property market has always been attractive to foreign investors, but the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in Chinese interest. After the lockdown in China was lifted, wealthy Chinese citizens began looking for investment opportunities, and Sydney's real estate market caught their eye.

Experts say that the presence of Chinese investors has driven up prices in some segments of the market, like large plots of land in the suburbs and apartments in the downtown area. Their demand for real estate has been further fueled by the large savings they have accumulated during the pandemic.

According to a survey by the National Australia Bank, foreign buyers are increasingly investing in Australian property, with the percentage rising from 5.2% to 7.9% in the first quarter of 2023. In New South Wales, the rate of foreigners buying real estate reached 16.2%, the highest level in eight years.

Before the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, Chinese investment in Australian residential real estate exceeded 1 billion USD in the third quarter of 2022 alone, surpassing the total amount invested in the previous financial year, which was 2.4 billion USD.

At the same time, Thailand has also caught the attention of Chinese investors. The country's good international schools and quality medical facilities make it an attractive prospect for Chinese families looking to emigrate or acquire property overseas.

Cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Isan are the most popular locations for Chinese buyers in Thailand. According to government data, the number of Chinese visitors to Thailand has been on the rise, with 270,000 Chinese tourists visiting the country in March alone.

Although foreign ownership in any condominium project in Thailand is limited to 49%, this has not deterred Chinese buyers from flocking to the country to invest in property. In fact, this demand has provided business opportunities for real estate agents targeting Chinese buyers.

Overall, it is clear that Chinese investors are looking beyond their home country for investment opportunities. The pandemic has created a shift in the real estate market, with previously unexplored regions becoming more attractive to Chinese investors. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come, with wealthy Chinese individuals seeking to diversify their investments and secure their financial futures.