I haven't noticed any major price fluctuations in Kunming or Dali since 2012. Shandong is more or less the same.

Air pollution in Yunnan is definitely getting worse. In Dali, there are too many days where I cannot even see the lake.

On the other hand, the pollution levels in East China (except for the winter) seem to be decreasing...to the point where it's sometimes lower than in Yunnan.

Compared to what it was 10 years ago, Dali is basically already destroyed.

You mean, there's actually a plan?

There was a substantial sales tax in effect a few years ago if you owned a unit for less than 5-years at the time of sale. I am pretty sure it has either been de-fanged or eliminated.

As a foreigner, if you plan to be in China for 10+ years, paying off a mortgage should be a relatively easy task (assuming you can actually get the bank to give you one) compared to local people...even if you're just an English teacher/professional clown.