US luxury home agents tout rare offerings to Chinese buyers

SAN FRANCISCO - US high-end real estate brokerages are trying to tout "rare offerings" with unique features to Chinese buyers, said Rachel Swann, a managing partner on Sunday.

"When buyers are looking, they look for what is not available daily and commonplace; they look for the diamond in the rough -- something you keep in a collection, something with a story or iconic aspect to it," said Swann, who works at the San Francisco office of the Agency, a full-service luxury real estate brokerage based in California.

Chinese buyers have topped the list of international home buyers in the United States for seven consecutive years, followed by neighboring Canada, according to a survey by the US National Association of Realtors.

Swann said she had recently returned from a luxury home exposition in Shanghai and she would go back to the city for another trade show next month.

"Clients are wanting something that is top tier. They are much more discerning now. If they do not find exactly what they want, they will hold out for it," she said.

Swann said her company has "rare offerings" of much interest to potential Chinese buyers, including a house which can view the Golden Gate Bridge.

DeLeon Realty, a Silicon Valley-based real estate agency, is also promoting unique houses to Chinese clients, said the company's CEO Michael Repka.

The company has recently hired a Chinese speaking interior designer to promote selling to Chinese buyers.

"I think the market is very dependent on economic factors and political climates. When the markets thrive, people have more money and the high end tends to do better," said Swann. "I think for well-priced homes, with amazing finishes and A-plus locations, sales will continue to thrive."