How the World Buys Homes: International Real Estate EXPOSED | The Den Ep. 78 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 25, 2025 · 31 MIN

How the World Buys Homes: International Real Estate EXPOSED | The Den Ep. 78

from The Den | Real Estate in the Four Corners: Buy, Sell, Invest · host Ben Lyons

From blind bidding in Scotland to 99-year land leases in China and cash-only builds in Mexico, this roundtable dives into the surprising real estate norms across the globe. You'll hear about laws that ban Sunday home sales, homes without kitchens, and foreign ownership restrictions that challenge everything we assume about buying property.This isn’t just a global tour of real estate practices. It's a deeper look at how spoiled we are in the U.S., and how different the rules of the game are in other countries.KEY TAKEAWAYS• In China, buyers can own a building but not the land. Most land is leased for 70 years at a time.• Many countries do not offer 30-year mortgages. Shorter terms and large down payments are more common.• In Mexico and parts of Europe, homes are often built over time with cash, not loans.• Interest rates in other countries often range from 10 to 20 percent, making U.S. rates feel low by comparison.• In Germany, renters are expected to install and remove their own kitchen fixtures.• Japan has a population decline, with over 15 percent of homes sitting vacant. Some are being sold for next to nothing.• Foreigners cannot own land in Indonesia or the Philippines unless partnered with a local citizen.• In Italy, working in real estate on Sundays is against the law.• France protects iconic views by making it illegal to block the Eiffel Tower.• Countries like Spain are seeing protests over foreign investors buying up homes and worsening local housing shortages.• The U.S. faces similar second-home investor pressure in towns like Telluride and Durango.BEST MOMENTS05:38 “You don’t actually own the land, you’re leasing it... for millions of dollars. That’s wild.”11:42 “Interest rates at 10 to 20 percent? We’re over here complaining about 6 or 7.”17:04 “In Germany, when you rent, they don’t include a kitchen. You bring your own, and take it with you.”21:32 “In Scotland, it’s blind bidding. You don’t even talk to the seller, it’s all done through formal letters.”24:02 “Japan has a 15 percent vacancy rate. They’re just giving away homes to anyone who will take them.”27:08 “If fewer people are having kids, who’s going to buy the homes we invest in 30 years from now?”If you enjoyed the show, please hit that subscribe button and leave a comment about your experiences with real estate in other countries. We’d love to hear what it’s like where you live.To connect with the Lyons Group, visit https://sgcbroker.com and schedule a consultation. Whether you're buying or selling, residential or commercial, we’re here to give you a real advantage.Website: sjcbroker.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4cInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLyonsGroupFourCornersSign up for our newsletter for valuable insights and updates via www.sjcbroker.com too!Produced by APodcastGeek: https://www.apodcastgeek.comAd link: Visit our website to schedule a consultation.TikTokInstagramFacebookBuyer Video SeriesSeller Video SeriesSign up for our newsletter for valuable insights and updates.  This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek

From blind bidding in Scotland to 99-year land leases in China and cash-only builds in Mexico, this roundtable dives into the surprising real estate norms across the globe. You'll hear about laws that ban Sunday home sales, homes without kitchens, and foreign ownership restrictions that challenge everything we assume about buying property. This isn’t just a global tour of real estate practices. It's a deeper look at how spoiled we are in the U.S., and how different the rules of the game are i...

NOW PLAYING

How the World Buys Homes: International Real Estate EXPOSED | The Den Ep. 78

0:00 31:07

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Den | Real Estate in the Four Corners: Buy, Sell, Invest?

This episode is 31 minutes long.

When was this The Den | Real Estate in the Four Corners: Buy, Sell, Invest episode published?

This episode was published on July 25, 2025.

What is this episode about?

From blind bidding in Scotland to 99-year land leases in China and cash-only builds in Mexico, this roundtable dives into the surprising real estate norms across the globe. You'll hear about laws that ban Sunday home sales, homes without kitchens,...

Can I download this The Den | Real Estate in the Four Corners: Buy, Sell, Invest episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!