• Mothra@mander.xyz
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      1 year ago

      I’m aware of who but not why. Are they just letting them sit there until the prices rise ( I know that doesn’t take too long)? Or is there another reason?

      • set_secret@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        yes ,becuase the house prices in Australia rise so fast it’s actully profitable to buy one outright (if you can afford it) and literally let it sit empty for 5 years ,sell it again and make hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars.

        The when system (of capitalism) is ethically bankrupt and downright disgusting. Houses should be for homes, not profits.

      • Jin@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I think Chinese people can’t really invest in China because corruption and government can take everything you own without a reason.

        Looking at property crisis in China https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-62402961

        Not to mention bank crisis around China https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/11/china-violent-clashes-at-protest-over-frozen-rural-bank-accounts

        So it makes sense to have a foreign investment + they can flee and live there if something should happen

      • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        That’s usually the reason and the possibility of getting a citizenship (depending on what country the property is in it can help).

        • Dojan@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I’ve a friend in Taiwan. She says it’s common for rich Chinese people to buy homes in Taiwan as a way of locking down that money in a way the government can’t access it.

          • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
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            1 year ago

            Fairly common scheme with Canada, rich Chinese buy a house in Canada, declare their taxes as being paid in Canada to Chinese authorities and being paid in China to Canadian authorities…

            The different levels of Canadian governments get criticized for letting them buy properties and companies here when Canadians would never be allowed to do the same in China…

            • Dojan@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              My friend in Taiwan is experiencing something similar. Their bank was all “oh yeah you can absolutely get a loan as a foreigner with us as long as your Taiwanese parent is willing to cosign”.

              They already own the home, they’re just trying to restructure the mortgage after a breakup.

              It’s ridiculous.