The other advantage of owning property back home, is that you have a base to return to; should you decide to go back permanently. This permanent address will also help with job hunting and credit ratings.

@djtutolo: Assume you are referring to home countries where renting real estate brings in higher income than rents in China.

The lower end of the rental market in Chinese cities is much cheaper than the lower end of the market in UK. The middle of the market is about the same. The kind of property you could rent for 15000rmb/m in Kunming, and Shanghai is roughly similar (property value:rent) to properties in the UK.

investment property management does not exist in china. whereas, back home, good property manage will handle all aspect of an investment property for the owner, including, finding good tenant, regular property inspection, Paying Account, insurance and Statutory Charges.......etc. that are important to absentee property owner.

I'm going to go ask Teresa May where that magic money tree she found is, and use it to buy me a few houses..