Australian realtors roll out red carpet for Chinese visitors

SYDNEY: Australia’s real estate industry is hoping recent rule changes for foreign buyers haven’t dimmed Chinese appetites too much, as they eagerly await an influx of big-spending tourists during China’s Golden Week holiday.

Chinese vacationers, six million of whom travelled overseas during last year’s Golden Week, have become increasingly important to Australia.

In the year through June they accounted for almost a quarter of the US$31.8bil (RM134bil) spent by foreign holiday makers in the country, while only accounting for less than one-sixth of the total number of visitors.

As Golden Week began yesterday, Australia’s real estate agents prepared to roll out the red carpet for cashed-up Chinese visitors, offering them helicopter rides and limousine tours to show off prestige properties in the A$10mil to A$25mil range.

Michael Pallier, managing director of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty, said just a few deals stemming from Golden Week alone could translate to A$40mil (US$31.33mil) in sales for his business as people who have flown in to visit family take a look at property while they are in the country.

Pallier, who wines and dines Chinese inves- tors and chauffeurs them round in a Rolls Royce Phantom, said tax increases and rule changes aimed at restricting foreign buyers had made the market more difficult. “There’s not the amount of activity say from two years ago because of what’s happened,” Pallier told Reuters.

Australia’s two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, have this year increased their surcharges on home sales for foreign investors, while the national government announced fines for foreign owners who leave properties vacant for at least six months of the year.

Real estate agents reported an instant response from Chinese investors.

Daryl Guppy, president of the Australia China Business Council Northern Territory said China’s new capital controls restricting overseas investment meant Australia had to compete harder.

“If it’s difficult to get your money out then you’ll go to places where it’s easier to spend, and Australia is no longer on that list,” he told Reuters by phone yesterday.

Chinese travellers, who spent US$261bil overseas last year, are also increasingly opting for “staycations” and making more holiday trips within China. — Reuters

— Bloomberg. Luring investors: A view of the central business district and the water-front residential properties in Point Piper, Sydney. As Golden Week began yesterday, real estate agents are taking Chinese visitors on tours to show off prestigious Australian...