The comprehensive Asia
Pacific Property Investment Digest is published by Jones
Lang LaSalle, a real estate services firm. It gives detailed information on each
country’s policies toward foreign ownership of property. You can download it as
a PDF at www.research.joneslanglasalle.com. Click on Asia Pacific and then Asia
Pacific Reports.
 Stateside Realtors
Specialized U.S. real estate agents can arrange property
purchases in Asia. The Chicago-based National Association of Realtors provides
an online database of Certified International Property Specialists. CIPS
certification means a Realtor has training, and at least some experience, in
foreign real estate transactions. To find an agent familiar with a specific
country of interest, visit www.realtor.org/international and click on Find an
International Specialist.
Overseas Real Estate Agents
In much of Asia all it takes to be a real estate agent is to
print a business card. Some countries, however, do have formal associations,
which can provide at least some reassurance. The International Consortium of
Real Estate Associations (worldproperties.com) deals with a few Asia-Pacific
countries.
International Lawyers It is essential to
have a good international lawyer. David Simister of CB Richard Ellis (Thailand)
says two firms with a strong presence in Asia are Baker & McKenzie and
Johnson Stokes & Master.
Government Information A few Asian
governments offer English-language websites with useful information:
• Thailand: www.dol.go.th (Department of Lands)
• The Philippines: pra.gov.ph (Philippine Retirement
Authority)
• Malaysia: mm2h.motour.gov.my (Ministry of Tourism)
• Singapore: www.sla.gov.sg (Singapore Land Authority)
Photograph by CB Richard Ellis (Thailand)
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