King Solomon was no stranger to investing across borders. The great King turned to his neighboring monarchs for the help and materials to build his magnificent temple and used trade and alliances to keep his kingdom secure. And today, as foreign investment in US residential real estate tops $7 billion, housing industry observers are debating whether international investing will be a boost, or a blow, to a housing market that’s beginning o recover from the financial collapse of a few years ago.
A new report by CNBC reveals that four of the top five cities for global real state investment in 2013 were in the United States, though London topped the list. And that trend seems likely to continue, as investors from outcries around the world flock to buy residential and commercial properties in a stable, secure environment free of the obstacles facing foreigners in many other countries.
While all of the cities on CNBC’s list are major metropolitan areas with high-end real estate markets, foreign investment is taking place in markets all around the country as investors from countries such as China and India seek secure, private paces to invest funds. That’s a phenomenon US investors need to watch closely – and a reason to follow Jason Hartman’s’ recommendation to diversify holdings whenever possible.
Foreign investment in US property comes in many forms. Commercial investment is of course high on the list of the kinds of properties that are attractive to foreigners, In residential real estate, multifamily properties ranging from condos and apartments to smaller multiplexes are also high on the list, with single family homes coming in last in the latest survey.
The jump in foreign investing comes as new US lending regulations tighten standards for US mortgage applicants, and interest rates are starting to creep higher as the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program begins to taper off. The number of available proprieties in some markets may fluctuate too, as home prices rise and more of the foreclosure backlog held by banks and other institutions begins to hit the market.
That means US investors may find themselves dealing with competitors from around the world – and conducting transactions with them as well. Some are choosing to partner with investors from outside the country to increase their chances of buying a particular property, too. And outside those large metropolises that attract wealthy foreigners with high-end real estate, smaller markets in the heartland may also be facing a kind of culture shock, as smaller investors also look to diversify by buying in those lesser known markets.
Foreign investment on American soil has come under fire from those who see a threat to US investment, national security and the growth of the housing market. Others welcome foreign money as a shot in the arm to a still struggling economy. Either way, international investors are here to stay, drawn by a stable government and lack of special regulations on foreign purchasing.
For US investors, it may be time to brush up on international business etiquette and take a new look at diversifying into new housing markets, since a shifting landscape creates new opportunities and challenges for buyers both local and foreign. (Top image: Flickr/elibrown)
Solomon Sucess is the complete solution for Christian invstors. Read more from our archives:
Post-Lawsuits, Big Banks Try New Strategies
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The Solomon Success Team
