May 14, 2014 (BEIJING, CHINA) – Executives of Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty, the first affiliate of the global realty network to open in Mainland China, has appointed Dean Jones of Seattle-based Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty as its Director of Network Development for the United States. In this capacity Jones will join other Beijing-based international sales team members to cultivate referral networks throughout the US and will operate from the firms new Asia Desk within the Eastside Flagship Branch Office and Connoisseurs of Life Showroom located at 15 Lake Street in downtown Kirkland.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Dean Jones from this strategic US gateway marketplace as we build out our network opportunities in North America,” said Kevin Corbett, CEO of Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty. “We remain grateful for his introduction to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC and we share his vision to build a US referral pipeline into Mainland China.”
Both Corbett and Jones will attend private ceremonies being held in Beijing this week acknowledging the commencement of Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty. The team is also sponsoring the much-anticipated Beijing Luxury Property Show being held at the Legendale Hotel on May 16-18, of which the Beijing affiliate is a gala host and featured exhibitor. These events are expected to draw more than 5,000 highly-qualified homebuyers and members of global media whereas only 80 exhibitors will be present. For more information visit: http://beijing.lps-china.com/en
“This appointment and our active participation in events like the Beijing Luxury Property Show have been in development since I first visited China two years ago to explore trends with foreign buyer demand,” says Jones. “We are excited to highlight US lifestyle and investment opportunities while showcasing Pacific Northwest real estate at this pivotal time in the global industry.”
Jones refers to recent decisions by the Canadian government to cancel their popular foreign direct investor program whereas prospective immigrants could secure residency in Canada in exchange for interest-free loans to the government. That abrupt cancellation effectively returned more than 60,000 applications, mostly from wealthy Chinese nationals, compelling them to seek out alternatives for immigration into North America including the EB-5 program by the USCIS. Meanwhile pundits suggest a rebounding US housing market is gaining favor over the record-high US stock market as investors seek a higher propensity for capital appreciation in real estate and prefer the political and economic stability of the US. ”
“American real estate has become a new asset class and increasingly, a preferred financial safe harbor with less volatility than stocks and greater returns than bonds,” adds Jones. “Our properties are viewed as a relative bargain compared to domestic China such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. This trend has been prevalent for decades in markets like Vancouver, BC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. More recently a spillover effect of demand has arrived to alternative and emerging markets like the Seattle/Bellevue metro area. It helps too that we now have numerous direct flights into China, an international culture and a rise of foreign direct investment as many overseas interests discover our booming market fundamentals.”