Before purchasing a property overseas, please clarify these matters. You can consult on-site at the 2026 Shanghai Real Estate Expo

At exhibition consultation sites, it is common to encounter a situation where an audience member sits down and asks, 'Which country can you buy a house from here?' However, upon further inquiry, they realize that they have not determined which country they want to go to, nor have they figured out who the house will be bought for or what it will be used for. Many people's imagination of overseas real estate is still limited to 'looking at model houses and comparing unit prices', but they overlook several things that should be clarified before and after buying a house.

From November 20th to 22nd, 2026, the Overseas Immigrant Study Abroad Property and Enterprise Overseas Development and Financial Services Expo will be held at the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center (No. 99 Xingyi Road, Changning District) for three days, with an estimated 8000 visitors. The real estate section and immigration real estate section set up by the organizing committee of this expo bring together overseas real estate projects, real estate services, and related consulting agencies in the same venue, allowing visitors to ask clear questions before making decisions.

The process of buying a house overseas is not easy: choosing a country, choosing a city, understanding local property rights, taxes, exchange rates, and subsequent management, each step requires information support. Below are several common consultation scenarios on site to break down the issues of concern.

Scenario 1: Just started to have the idea of buying an overseas property, but still can't say what the real purpose of buying this house is

Question: 'Someone around me has bought a house abroad, and I also want to take a look, but why did I buy it myself

This is a step that is frequently asked on-site but also easily skipped. Many people first have the idea of whether or not to buy, and then turn around to find reasons. Actually, with different motivations, the logic behind choosing a country, city, or housing type will be completely different. Before investing, it is important to think it through carefully.

There are generally several types of common motivations. One type prepares for their children's education, emphasizing school distribution, commuting convenience, and rental needs; One type is for elderly care arrangements, inclined towards livable environments and well-equipped medical facilities; A type of pure self occupation or travel that values climate, social circle, and cost of living; There is also a type of household asset allocation that aims to diversify holdings of assets in different currencies. Comparing these types of motivations together, it can be found that they often point to different choices. The standards for choosing a city for children's education and a city for elderly care do not overlap; Long term self occupied houses and occasional houses have different requirements for decoration and management. First, clarify which category you belong to and what your top needs are, so that subsequent inquiries will not become more scattered.

Scenario 2: It is said that one can 'buy a house and obtain identity', thinking that buying a house automatically grants them residency rights

Question: 'Can I also get my identity obtained by buying a house over there

This is a question that is repeatedly asked at the consultation site and can easily lead to misunderstandings. Many viewers equate 'buying a house overseas' with 'immigrating to buy a property', believing that as long as one obtains a job, the issue of identity will also be resolved. The actual situation is much more complex, with significant differences in rules among countries, and cannot be generalized.

Let's first clarify a basic fact: buying a house and obtaining residency status are two relatively independent things in most countries. Buying a house solves the problem of holding and using a property, while whether one can obtain identity, in what way, and what conditions are required belong to another set of legal and policy systems. Some countries do have investment related identity paths related to real estate, but there are usually clear requirements for the type, amount, holding method, and self occupation of the property, and it is not automatic to correspond to identity simply by 'buying any property'.

It should be noted that there are significant differences in rules among countries. Some places allow foreigners to purchase specific types of residential properties, while others impose additional taxes or restrictions on foreign purchases; Some identity projects are closely tied to real estate, while others are completely unrelated. It is easy to make mistakes by applying the experience of one country to another. Policies may also be adjusted over time, and what was feasible in the past may not necessarily remain the same now.

Therefore, any questions related to 'whether purchasing a house can be associated with identity', 'what conditions need to be met', and 'what is the processing period and cost?' should be asked clearly in person, regardless of the country, and the official statement should prevail. The immigration property section on site combines real estate and identity consultation in one place, making it easier for the audience to discuss this relationship thoroughly, rather than drawing conclusions based on impressions.

Scenario 3: The house looks good, but no one has clearly stated what money will be spent and how to take care of it in the future

Question: 'Besides the down payment and house payment, how much do I have to pay every year afterwards? If the person is not in the area, who will take care of the house

This is a step from 'heart palpitations' to 'decisions' that is easily overlooked but affects long-term experiences. Many inquiries only focus on unit price and layout, with only a partial understanding of holding costs and subsequent management. Only when the house is received do they realize that the expenditure list is much longer than expected.

There are a few things that need to be clarified before purchasing a house. One is the property rights system. Different countries have different regulations on the duration, registration, foreign ownership, and transferability of property rights. Before purchasing, it is important to determine whether you have obtained complete property rights or long-term leasing rights, and where the boundaries lie.

The second is various taxes and fees. In addition to transaction taxes and fees related to the purchase process, there are usually property taxes or fees during the holding period, and capital related taxes and fees may also be involved when selling in the future. These tax rates vary by country and are an important part of long-term costs. The third factor is the impact of exchange rates. Buying a house overseas means using one or more foreign currencies for payment and subsequent expenses. Exchange rate fluctuations can actually affect the cost of currency exchange and holding costs, so don't ignore them when budgeting.

The fourth is the holding cost and subsequent management. Property management fees, maintenance and repair, insurance, and maintenance when vacant are all unavoidable expenses; When the person is not in the local area, it is also necessary to understand in advance whether to entrust custody, how to charge, who to contact for maintenance and rental.

There is no unified answer to these matters, and they must be checked on specific countries and projects. The value of the exhibition real estate section lies in bringing together real estate projects and service agencies from different countries, allowing visitors to compare horizontally and consult face-to-face, and clarify the 'second half' issues such as property rights, taxes, exchange rates, holding and management.

Overseas real estate is not a decision that can be made just by looking at a model house. Clarify the motivation, clarify property rights and taxes, understand the relationship between purchasing a house and identity, and then calculate the long-term holding and management accounts, in order to make a confident choice. The policies and project information mentioned in this article are for reference only. The specific procedures and reviews, as well as relevant taxes and project regulations, are subject to the latest explanations from official institutions and project parties in various countries. From November 20th to 22nd, 2026, welcome to the real estate and immigration real estate sections of the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center. Bring a list of questions and have face-to-face conversations and comparisons with multiple institutions. Exhibition hotline: 13681692751 (same as WeChat), official website: www.qs-expo.com. For exhibition and viewing matters, please contact the organizing committee of this expo for more information.