Chinese New Year sees foreign buyers flock to Melbourne

Sydney Morning Herald

Agents are rolling out the red carpet for an influx of overseas buyers flying to Melbourne over the Chinese New Year holiday. Some agencies are providing a concierge service; picking up buyers from the airport, booking their hotels and helping with school enrolments. Others are reporting a jump in inquiries and translating property material into Chinese. House hunters have started arriving ahead of the year of the monkey, and will continue flying in over the national holiday, running from February 8 to 13. Esther Yong_, director at Chinese portal ACProperty, said phone inquiries before Chinese New Year jumped 35 per cent last year. The business is seeing similar levels of activity this year, from buyers wanting to make appointments with agents to view properties during the holiday period.