Tag: Commercial Property

Buying Land in Korea: The Complete Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Korea?
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Korea is undoubtedly one of the easiest countries to buy real estate in Asia and foreign investors have poured in during the past years.

This has left the country with uncontrolled price increases and locals are putting more pressure on the government to curb sales.

Despite its small size, Korea offers plenty of investment opportunities for land buyers. Jeju Island, Seoul, Busan, and Incheon are just examples of places that have become increasingly targeted by foreigners.

Even if it’s fairly easy and transparent to acquire land in Korea, you should understand what regulations that apply to foreigners and how you can find land for sale. Therefore, I decided to write this article. Continue reading Buying Land in Korea: The Complete Guide

Investing in Indonesia REITs: The Complete Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Indonesia?
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Indonesia is currently one of the most interesting investment destinations in Asia and set to become a regional powerhouse.

In previous years, many foreigners have been standing on the sideline, waiting for the market to open and ownership regulations to become more relaxed.

Fortunately, the government plans to make real estate ownership more accessible, something that could benefit the market significantly.

Besides, even if there are fewer REITs available in Indonesia compared to countries like Singapore, we will probably see an introduction of more trusts in the coming years.

Topics covered in this article:

  • Can foreigners buy REITs in Indonesia?
  • How can I start buying REIT units in Indonesia?
  • What are the benefits of buying REITs in Indonesia?
  • List of REITs in Indonesia

Can foreigners buy REITs in Indonesia?

This is not a yes or no question but depends on what residential status you have in Indonesia. Continue reading Investing in Indonesia REITs: The Complete Guide

How to Buy Land in Thailand: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Marcus Sohlberg — 1 Comment

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Do you plan to buy property in Thailand?
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Foreign developers and overseas corporations typically look for land and/or hotels in Thailand. Industrial real estate is also targeted by investors who set up manufacturing or assembly operations locally.

It’s not strange, as Thailand has one of the biggest economies in Southeast Asia and attracts tens of millions of travelers and workers each year.

In the past years, land prices have increased much in the greater Bangkok area. This is contrary to Japan, where land prices have fallen since the early 1990s.

With that said, acquiring land in Thailand can be a time-consuming process with many potential pitfalls. It’s crucial that you work with a reputable partner that has experience in catering to foreigners.

In this article, I explain how foreigners can buy land in Thailand and what you should pay attention to.

Topics covered:

  • Can foreigners buy land in Thailand?
  • Title Deeds Available in Thailand
  • Common pitfalls when buying land in Thailand
  • Thailand Land Prices

Can foreigners buy land in Thailand?

Foreigners are not allowed to own land in Thailand, this is a common practice in other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

With that said, there are ways to at least control land. Let’s review the different options you have.

1. Buying Land With a Nominee

The first option is to buy land with the help of a local nominee. In short, this means that a local citizen keeps the land under his or her name. Continue reading How to Buy Land in Thailand: A Complete Guide

Buying Land in Japan: Foreign Investor’s Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Japan?
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Japan’s land prices haven’t increased as much as in developing Asian countries in the past years. The country suffered from an economic downturn in the early 1990s and the real estate market never really recovered since.

With that said, the market has started to gain more interest and Tokyo currently has one of the most active markets, according to PwC. It’s predicted to see great rental growths as it gains interest locally and from overseas.

In this article, we focus on land investments and where I explain the basics if you plan to buy land as a foreign corporation or individual.

Topics covered:

  • Can foreigners buy land in Japan?
  • Land Prices in Japan
  • The Process When Buying Land
  • Taxes when Buying Land
  • Finding Land for Sales in Japan
  • Commercial Real Estate Agents in Japan

Can foreigners buy land in Japan?

Japan is one of a few Asian countries that allow foreigners to own land on both a freehold and leasehold basis. This comes as a surprise to many overseas investors, especially as habitable land is limited. Continue reading Buying Land in Japan: Foreign Investor’s Guide

Investing in Thailand Hotels & Resorts: A Complete Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Thailand?
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We’ve mostly talked about buying residential real estate previously, covering foreign ownership regulations, taxes, and more. In this article, we take it to another level and review how it works when buying hotels and resorts.

Buying a hotel is generally more complex as the properties are treated as businesses. As such, different regulations apply. The transaction values tend to be higher as well.

In this article, you’ll learn how it works when buying a hotel or a resort in Thailand and the regulations that apply.

Topics covered:

  • Can foreigners buy hotels in Thailand?
  • Foreign Ownership Regulations of Hotels in Thailand
  • How do I get a hotel license in Thailand?
  • Hotel Classifications in Thailand
  • Documents & Information when Buying Hotels in Thailand
  • The Best Cities to Buy Hotels in Thailand

Can foreigners buy hotels in Thailand?

Foreign individuals cannot invest in hotels as we are only allowed to own strata-title units, which are predominantly in condominium projects.

Even if we can buy residential physical structures like villas, we are not allowed to own the land on which these are built on.

Therefore, foreign corporations set up a Joint Venture (JV) with a local partner or a Thai Limited Company (LLC) to invest in hotels.

This generally requires that you apply for a Foreign Business License (FBL) if foreigners own more than 49% of the shares.

Worth mentioning is also that the Board of Investment (BOI) sometimes exempt foreigners from applying for an FBL if you invest in special projects in certain areas.

Foreign Ownership Regulations of Hotels in Thailand

It’s important that you learn about local ownership regulations and find a credible partner before you engage in the commercial real estate market. Continue reading Investing in Thailand Hotels & Resorts: A Complete Guide

Investing in Malaysia REITs: The Ultimate Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Malaysia?
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Malaysia has one of the most developed REIT markets in Asia where most are centered around Kuala Lumpur.

At the moment, there are 18 REITs listed on the stock exchange in Malaysia that have attracted many local and foreign investors in the past years.

In this article, we review how you can invest in Malaysian REITs and why this type of asset has become increasingly popular. This is not only the case in Malaysia but in Thailand, Australia, and Vietnam.

Topics covered in this article:

  • Can foreigners buy REITs in Malaysia?
  • The Process to Buy REITs in Malaysia
  • What are the benefits of buying REITs in Malaysia?
  • List of REITs in Malaysia

Can foreigners buy REITs in Malaysia?

Foreigners have no particular restrictions on buying REITs or other securities in Malaysia. Continue reading Investing in Malaysia REITs: The Ultimate Guide

Investing in Japan REITs: The Ultimate Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Japan?
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Japan introduced its REIT market in 2001 which is now the second-biggest in the world, worth around USD 120 billion.

In 2019, Japan’s REIT market reached a 12-year high but was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) REIT Index saw a decline of almost 50% as investors pulled out.

With that said, many trusts have performed well in the past years and until the beginning of 2020. As the Japan REIT market has gained increasingly more interest in previous years, I decided to write this article.

Topics covered:

  • Can foreigners buy REITs in Japan?
  • How can I invest in REITs in Japan?
  • Trading Japanese REITs Through an International Broker
  • What are the benefits of buying Japan REITs?
  • List of REITs in Japan

Can foreigners buy REITs in Japan?

Foreigners have no particular issues to invest in REITs or stocks and participate in the Japanese stock market. Continue reading Investing in Japan REITs: The Ultimate Guide

How to Buy Land in Australia: A Complete Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Australia?
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Investing in Australian land plots is comparably easy to other Asian countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Foreign investors generally only have to apply for approval to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), but few applications have been rejected.

Worth mentioning is that your nationality and what land type you plan to buy affect the requirements. In this article, I present the key information when foreigners buy land in Australia.

Topics covered:

  • Can foreigners buy land in Australia?
  • Land Types Available to Foreigners
  • Process of Buying Land in Australia
  • Land Prices in Australia
  • Taxes

Can foreigners buy land in Australia?

Australian citizens can own land on a freehold basis, which is contrary to developing countries like Vietnam where land is controlled by the state. As such, in this article, we primarily focus on how it works when foreigners acquire land in Australia. Continue reading How to Buy Land in Australia: A Complete Guide

Investing in Thailand REITs: A Complete Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Thailand?
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Thailand has a comparatively developed REIT market and introduced its first REIT in 2014. Here, you’ll not only find REITs that solely invest in domestic real estate but also REITs with properties overseas.

If you invested in property in Thailand or other Southeast Asian countries, you’re probably aware of the obstacles that foreigners come across.

Not only are there restrictions to foreign ownership, but sometimes to the value of the unit, your residential status, and the list goes on.

Even if it’s fairly straight-forward to buy condominiums and you can get hold of freehold property in Thailand, you should not overlook the benefits of investing in REITs.

Topics covered in this article:

  • Can foreigners buy REITs in Thailand?
  • How can I start buying REIT units in Thailand?
  • Requirements to set up and run a REIT
  • What are the benefits of buying REITs in Thailand?
  • List of REITs in Thailand

Can foreigners buy REITs in Thailand?

Investing in REITs in Thailand is similar to other Asian countries, like Vietnam. The first thing you need is a brokerage account and it’s preferable to work with a local broker. Continue reading Investing in Thailand REITs: A Complete Guide

Investing in Australia REITs: A Complete Guide

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Do you plan to buy property in Australia?
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Australia has one of the most transparent, developed, and refined REITs markets in the world. With its first REIT introduced in 1971, it was only behind the US, Taiwan ROC, and New Zealand to introduce REITs.

Nowadays, around two-thirds of all institutional-grade properties are publicly offered on the stock exchange and securitized, the highest rate in the world.

Some of the REITs are known for performing significantly well and a few years back investors could enjoy increases of 10% annually.

Even if A-REITs are frequently mentioned in the media and can be lucrative investments, there’s limited information online on how you can start investing in the trusts as a foreigner.

Topics covered in this article:

  • Can foreigners buy REITs in Australia?
  • Foreign Institutional Investments in REITs
  • How can I invest in REITs in Australia?
  • What are the benefits of buying Australian REITs?
  • List of Australian REITs

Can foreigners buy REITs in Australia?

Publicly traded A-REITs are often listed on major stock exchanges and can be bought with the help of brokers. It’s as simple as that. Continue reading Investing in Australia REITs: A Complete Guide