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Real Estate, Reinvented—Just Like Trying Chicken Tikka Masala

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Just like my first bite of Chicken Tikka Masala unlocked a whole world of flavors, real estate today is a mix of bold moves, sticky data, and evolving tastes.

·       International buyers = powerful, cash-ready, targeting suburban single-family homes and rentals.

·       Institutional investors = scaling, strategic, focused on industrial and multifamily sectors.

·       U.S. market = still seen as a safe haven, but geopolitical turbulence is making some investors jittery.

·       Office and REITs = gradually bouncing back—watch for growth in 2025.

·       But caution reigns—interest rates, taxes, and illiquidity are real concerns (thanks for the heads-up, Ray).

·       If you’re ready to step into the market, do it with facts that matter. I’ve done the research so you have the insights to be the most informed and confident voice in real estate today—consider it your competitive edge, with a little extra spice for inspiration.

I’m no gourmet scholar of Indian cuisine… BUT I know a ton of people who’ve just never given it a shot. Why? Because when someone says “Italian,” you already picture pasta or pizza. But “Indian”? For me, that was a blank canvas—completely uncharted territory.

Then in 2018, a foodie from Punjab changed everything. She said:

“Just get the Chicken Tikka Masala.”

Nervously, I obeyed—and that one bite unlocked a whole new world of flavor.

Chicken Tikka Masala = creamy, tomato-rich, bold. Simple story, profound effect.

Chicken 65 = yogurt-marinated, curry-leaf spiced chicken—spice level 5+, sweat-dripping good.

 Chicken Curry = hearty, chunky, baby-spiced level 2—tame but satisfying.

Here’s the reality: Real estate today calls for that same bold first bite—a perfect blend of excitement and substance. Let’s engage both your palate and your portfolio as we dive into this research, complete with verified sources so you can explore the facts for yourself.

Real Estate—The U.S. Market in 2025: Domestic + International Insights

1. International Buyers Are Back—and Bold

Top origin countries:

  • China: 15% of transactions (~11,700 homes) totaling $13.7B

  • Canada: 14% (~10,900 homes), $6.2B

  • Mexico: 8% (~6,200 homes), $4.4B

  • India: 6% (~4,700 homes), $2.2B

  • UK: 4% (~3,100 homes), $2B National Association of REALTORS®.

Hot spots:

Property Preferences & Motives

  • 77% of these buyers went for single-family homes or townhomes (only 10% chose condos) Cashflow Rentals.

  • Location choices: 44% suburban, 26% urban/central, 18% resort, 11% rural Cashflow Rentals.

  • Usage: 47% for vacation/rental income, 34% as primary residences; 9% for family use Cashflow Rentals.

2. Domestic Institutional & REIT Influence

  • In 2024, institutional players (like pension funds, REITs) acquired $420.4 billion in assets—up 9% from 2023’s $365 billion. Institutions now represent 26% of acquisitions (up from 18.6%) Matthews™.

  • Cross-border investment as a share is down—foreign buyers made up 5.6% of purchases in 2024, down from 8.5% in 2023 Matthews™.

3. U.S. Real Estate Still a “Safe Haven”

  • A March 2025 survey of global investors — overseeing over $3 trillion in U.S. assets — showed over 80% rated U.S. real estate as “safe” or “very safe”, on par with the UK  Intelligence.

  • Still, 63% now have a negative outlook on cross-border investment due to political volatility, up from 42% late 2024  Intelligence.

  • Prime sectors include multifamily, industrial, retail, data centers, senior housing  Intelligence.

4. Emerging Investment Demand in Offices & REITs

  • Office-building sales rose 20% in 2024 to $63.6 billion, as investors return to the office market The Wall Street Journal.

  • Globally, REITs are among the unexpected winners in 2025—riding low rates outside the U.S., though U.S. REITs lag behind due to higher interest rates AP News.

5. The Cautionary Note from Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio—the hedge fund legend—warns that real estate today is fragile:

  • Highly sensitive to rising interest rates

  • Heavily taxed, illiquid, and hard to diversifyHe suggests holding just ~15% of assets in gold or Bitcoin as a hedge Business Insider.

Opportunities in real estate don’t wait—and neither should you. The same way one bite of Chicken Tikka Masala can change how you see an entire cuisine, one well-informed decision can redefine your financial future. The data is here. The trends are clear. The door is open—step through it before someone else claims the view.


Larry Hoyt

That Mortgage Foodie


 
 
 

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