Thursday, October 31, 2013

Where Global Property Buyers Are Headed

Its a funny thing really. You have the rich folks going global to buy properties, usually after owning more than 2 in their home turf. Its clearly unique to see that all these rich folks do not think alike. There are natural exposure considerations. Proximity and close knowledge considerations. Tax and holiday considerations. Retirement and children's education considerations. Political funds sloshing and illegal money laundering purposes. But the driving point is that they should try to make money and in a currency with potential upside, or their downside is overwhelmed by the capital gains consideration.

They are ranked in terms of total money outflow. I think its surprising to see Singapore so high up, but methinks a substantive portion of that money belong to Malaysians and Indonesians.You know how restrictive the rules for money outflow is for both countries. The same for UK as you can also assume that its also largely Russians living there doing most of the buying.

1)  CHINA - HK, New York, London

2)  SINGAPORE - London, Malaysia, Tokyo

3)  RUSSIA - London, New York, Monaco

4)  UK - Cote d'Azur, Italy, New York

5)  USA - London, Paris, Bahamas

6)  HK - Sydney, London, Tokyo

You will note that China money from China behaves differently from China money in HK. You can also bet that a large portion of HK money going out also belongs to China residents who somehow can reside in HK. The surprising part was the money heading to Tokyo from HK, strange.



7)  INDONESIA - London, New York, Monaco

Again, Indonesians are strange people ... Monaco???

8)  UAE - London, Paris, Geneva

9)  ITALY - Geneva, Monaco, London

10) INDIA - London, Dubai, New York



Saturday, October 19, 2013

Prep For NYC (Part 2)

Before I continue, got to plug Qatar Airways current amazing offer where you can get one free Business class ticket free for everyone that you purchase.

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c)  Shows - You cannot go to NYC without seeing a few shows, esp the musicals. There are also stand up clubs and plays with famous actors doing their bit parts on Broadway. Currently Bette Midler is doing a play there. The tourist trick usually is to queue for half price tockets at those TKTS booths around the city but usually you end up with shows you don't really want to see. I was all geared up to watch The Book of Mormons but its booked solid for the next 3 months but I believe you can still get these premium tickets from your bellhop for $250 plus a generous tip. Normal tickets for top shows cost between $150-230 but the best way is to book beforehand from this site Broadtickets:

http://www.broadticket.com/broadway.html

The great thing is that it will set you back just about $100 but you get great seats confirmed before you go. I have booked for Jersey Boys, Avenue Q and Motown.

d) Sight-seeing - If its your first couple of times, you need not take the tour packges which are really moving packs of sardines through the city in an unforgiving manner. Always take free and easy then buy packages beforehand. The best site is aviator. As you can see, they are reasonably priced.

.http://www.viator.com/New-York-City-tours/d687-ttd?pref=02&aid=g5526

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