Frequently Asked Questions

Our Data in General

• Can I rely on the Global Property Guide's data?
• Is the Guide independent?
• What are the sources of the Guide's data?
• What types of data are on the site?
• How many countries do you cover?

Rental income taxes

• How can I compare rental income tax rates across countries?
• Assumptions made in presenting the ‘typical case’ income tax scenario
• Sources of the income tax data

Investment Ratings

• The star rating system - what do the stars mean? How does the Global Property Guide rate countries as residential investment destinations?

Landlord & Tenant Law

• How do I find landlord and tenant law for any one country?
• Why does the Global Property Guide emphasize the importance of landlord and tenant law?
• What system does the Global Property Guide use to compare and rate landlord and tenant laws?
• ‘Pro-landlord’, pro-tenant’ and ‘neutral’ – define the Guide’s use of these terms
• Which law firms prepared the brief L&T surveys?

Inheritance law and taxes

• How do I find explanations of inheritance law, as it affects foreign property owners?
• Which law firms prepared the Guide’s inheritance law data?

Capital gains taxes

• How do I find the incidence of capital gains taxes on residential property in any one country?
• How can I compare capital gains tax rates across countries?
• What are the Guide′s CGT data sources?
• What assumptions does the Guide make, when calculating CGT?

House Price Trends

• Where do I find historical house prices (time-series)?
• What are the sources of the time series?
• Price change 1 year – definition
• Price change 5 years – definition
• Price change 10 years – definition

Square metre prices, rentals, and yields

• How do I find residential square metre prices, rentals, and yields for any one country?
• What does rental yield mean? Why is it important?
• Shouldn’t I just buy if property prices are rising?
• How can I compare prices and yields across countries?
• What are the sources of the Guide’s price data? Can these sources be trusted?
• Assumptions: What assumptions are made in presenting the Guide’s price and rents data?
• Next updates – when will the Global Property Guide yield tables next be updated?

Transaction costs

• How do I find roundtrip transaction costs for any one country?
• How can I compare transaction costs across countries?
• Why bother? Aren’t transaction costs more or less the same everywhere?
• Sources: What are the sources of the Guide’s transaction costs data?
• Can the transaction costs data sources be trusted?
• Definition: What does the phrase ‘roundtrip transaction cost’ mean?
• What assumptions does the Global Property Guide make in calculating transaction costs?

Macroeconomic comparison tools

• GDP per capita (2006)
• GDP/Cap growth –1 year
• GDP/Cap growth –5 year
• Economic freedom index
• Economic freedom index – 5 year change
• Growth competitiveness
• Property rights index
• Currency +/– valuation

Comparing countries

• What yardsticks does the Guide offer for comparing countries as investment destinations?