The 'closed eye era' of buying a house overseas is over: Before buying a house in 2026, think carefully about these four questions

The popularity of overseas real estate is still there, but the gameplay has changed. According to public reports, Malaysia will increase the stamp duty on foreign home purchases starting from January 2026; Australia restricts overseas buyers from purchasing second-hand houses; Singapore imposes high additional buyer stamp duty on foreign buyers; Greece has also proposed plans to increase the residential property transfer tax. Adding factors such as exchange rates, taxes, property rights, and after-sales service, the 'closed eye era' of buying a house overseas has come to an end, and rational judgment is more important than impulsive buying.

This is not to say that overseas properties have no value, but rather that their value needs to be evaluated in terms of specific purposes and complete costs. If you want to buy a property overseas in 2026, the following four questions are worth considering first.

1. First, think about the purpose: where to buy, what to buy, determined by the purpose

Educational support: Close to high-quality schools, while considering accompanying study policies and resale liquidity.

Identity linkage: In some countries, identity projects are linked to real estate, and policy changes and project sustainability need to be evaluated simultaneously.

Asset allocation: Emphasize rental returns and long-term holding, and calculate net income after taxes and fees, rather than just looking at housing prices.

Vacation retirement: Emphasis is placed on living costs, healthcare, and climate, with relatively low mobility requirements and a greater focus on user experience.

Different purposes result in completely different suitable regions, property types, and budget structures. Setting the goal first and then discussing the project is the fundamental step to avoid making the wrong purchase. Another reminder is that the purpose may change. The house originally bought for children's education may become a retirement home in a few years; The house that was originally bought for asset allocation may need to be resold due to changes in family plans. Allowing flexibility in planning is more important than pursuing a single benefit.

2. Four unavoidable problems

Taxes and holding costs: property taxes, property management fees, maintenance, insurance, annual holding costs usually account for 1% to 4% of the purchase price, rental income, and tax obligations in the sales process, which are often underestimated.

Property rights and legal documents: Land property types, contract terms, and developer qualifications all require professional verification, and cannot be solely based on promotional materials.

Developers and project compliance: Cases of unfinished projects and property disputes are not uncommon, and early due diligence is more important than on-site bargaining.

Exchange rate and capital outflow: Exchange rate fluctuations directly affect actual costs, and cross-border remittance routes need to be arranged in compliance and understood in advance to avoid passivity. These four issues are interrelated: taxes and fees affect holding costs, property rights affect security, developers affect delivery, and exchange rates and funds affect actual investment. Any unclear item can turn a seemingly cost-effective investment into a burden.

3. Three common misconceptions

Only comparing housing prices, not holding costs: projects with low housing prices and high taxes may not be cost-effective in the long run.

Trustworthy advertising returns: Rent returns and appreciation potential are both predictions that need to be independently judged based on local real market conditions.

Neglecting local regulations: Some countries have additional restrictions or declaration obligations on foreign home buyers, so it is basic to understand local rules in advance. After identifying the misconceptions, a more practical approach is to first make a list and then discuss the project. Clearly state the budget, objectives, and intended countries, and when communicating with professionals, both parties' information costs will decrease.

What can the real estate sector of the Expo provide

The real estate sector of this expo gathers compliant developers and intermediaries, overseas lawyers, tax consultants, banks, and remittance service agencies. Viewers can: concentrate on comparing projects for sale in multiple countries and cities; Consult professionals on issues such as property rights, taxes, loans, etc; Understand cross-border remittance and exchange rate risk management solutions; Plan real estate together with identity and educational needs to avoid single line decision-making.

There is also a financial services section on site, where home purchase funds, overseas loans, insurance and other arrangements can be consulted in the same venue, reducing back and forth travel. Before visiting the exhibition, it is recommended that buyers prepare four pieces of information: family budget and investable amount; List of Intended Countries and Cities; The main purpose of purchasing a house; Source of Funds and Outbound Arrangements. With this information, the advice provided by the consultant will be more realistic and on-site communication will be more efficient.

5. The exhibition value of participating institutions

The exhibition value for developers, real estate agents, and supporting service agencies lies in the concentration of customers with overseas purchasing intentions and financial strength among approximately 8000 visitors in three days; The scene of on-site project comparison helps clients establish trust in the project; Linkage with immigration, study abroad, and finance sectors can serve customers' comprehensive needs; Showcase project compliance and service capabilities through exhibition platforms, and establish brand image. The end of 2026 is an important milestone for the annual closing of family planning, and participating in exhibitions can help lock in customers in advance. For participating organizations, exhibitions are also a window to understand customers' real concerns: the questions repeatedly asked by buyers on site are often the key parts that products and services need to respond to.

6. Exhibition information and participation methods

Time: November 20-22, 2026 (Friday to Sunday), for a period of three days. Location: Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center. Scale: It is expected to receive about 8000 visitors in three days. Exhibition hotline: 13681692751 (same as WeChat). Official website: www.qs-expo.com.

Welcome families with overseas property needs to visit and consult, and welcome developers and real estate service agencies to consult and participate in exhibitions.

Overseas real estate is not a simple consumption decision, but a long-term arrangement involving laws, taxes, and finance. Reason is not about not buying, but about seeing every variable clearly before buying. The function of an exhibition is to present these variables in front of buyers. There is no standard answer for overseas real estate, but the risks can be seen in advance. Clarifying the four issues of taxes, property rights, exchange rates, and after-sales service before discussing returns is the basic task for real estate in 2026. In November, Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center welcomes families and professional institutions with overseas property needs to come and exchange ideas.