Real estate

[Edges]

If one doesn't marry a Chinese, what are the laws/rules concerning purchasing property in China?

On a side note, anyone know about the validity or enforcement of prenuptual agreements in China? Say I lived in China for a few years, purchased some property, then married a Chinese gal and wanted to protect that property.

I know I'm a cynic, but hey better safe than sorry.

[Mr Nobody]

Property must be 51% owned by a national. You don't really own it either, only the building. The land is owned by the govt, you just lease it.

You can't protect it, as far as I know, from the person who owns most of it.

[Edges]

Not what I wanted to hear But thank you for the reply. Guess you either marry (maybe one day) or find someone you can trust. (yeah right!)

It's a shame, imagine owning an apartment building, running it under "western" standards and leasing it to either foreign teachers or long term tourists. Maybe a joint venture could work.

[Newbs]

Edges, yes but ...

joint ventures, I dunno. I'd always be careful. Or as I've advised people before re joint ventures, be very, very, very, very, very, very careful.

[con's fly is open]

Edges, I want to start a business/es in China myself. I've resigned myself to needing a Chinese partner, not only for legalities but for the Shongguaren face, the inside know-how, and uncountable intangibles. I figure (maybe naively) that so long as you use the personal touch with your associates, i.e. know them, see them often and treat 'n pay them well, they are potentially the most loyal people who could hope for.

Real estate is a longer-term enterprise than most. I personally wouldn't buy "land" (what's on it, anyhoo) unless I was married.

[Edges]

Then she stays with you a few years, waits for the business to go well, then divorces your laowai arse as 51% owner. Unless you marry someone who's already been divorced, she's more likely to be looking for stability and may stick around longer. Then again maybe Chinese women are different, and are less greedy than my ex's.

[Mr Nobody]

like all women, they are all different. Mine, of course, will be with me forever.

However, my ass-ets in Oz are protected by my advisor Justin Caise

[woza17]

I can only speak for what I know here in Dongguan Gaungdong but I know for a fact foreigners can buy an apartment and can even get a 70% mortgage. Independent of a Chinese national.

[Newbs]

Off topic, sorry, but Woza, good to see you back. Anyhoo, back to real estate, guys.

[Edges]

I can only speak for what I know here in Dongguan Gaungdong but I know for a fact foreigners can buy an apartment and can even get a 70% mortgage. Independent of a Chinese national.

That's great news, thank you. I'll definitely look into it once in China. Anna and I are thinking of heading to Guandong after our contract ends in Shandong.

[Mr Nobody]

I haven't heard this. Let me know, too. Now that I think on it, someone said the same about Shanghai. (Maybe Raoul? Or did I hear it elsewhere, not even on this site?)

Hmmm. Wonder how I can find out...............

[Raoul Duke]

You're venturing into a realm where a quick consultation with a lawyer is probably well worthwhile. However, I'm pretty sure that foreigners can buy an apartment independently here.

Be careful going into a business partnership, and take pains to protect yourself- again, with the aid of a good lawyer. A lawyer with no connections to your partner. Chinese businessmen have been known to give their foreign partners the old heave-ho- with no compensation and no recourse- once the business starts to turn a profit.