Service philosophy
We do not sell apartments. We protect the family.
Real estate is the largest single decision in a China retirement, which is exactly why we have built a transparent introducer model rather than an in-house brokerage. Here is how it works, who gets paid, and what we will not do.
The short version
We are not a brokerage. We are a planning and relocation firm. When a family chooses to buy, we introduce them to vetted real-estate agents in the feeder city they have chosen, and we earn a disclosed introducer fee from the agent if the family transacts. The family pays nothing extra to us for the introduction.
Why we built it this way
Brokerages have a strong incentive to close a transaction. Planning firms have an incentive to make the right decision, which sometimes means renting for two years before buying, or not buying at all. We chose the planning side of that line on purpose.
By staying outside the brokerage chain, we can tell a family that the apartment they liked has a 公摊 problem, that the compound is seasonal, or that the agent is pushing because end-of-quarter is approaching, without losing income for being honest.
How we choose our real-estate partners
- Licensed agents at established firms in each feeder city we cover.
- Track record with foreign-passport buyers and returning Chinese diaspora.
- Willingness to disclose total commission and any developer rebates.
- Willingness to accept a family-paced timeline, including walking away.
- References from previous clients we can speak to.
What the family pays
- Nothing additional to us for the introduction.
- Standard agent commission to the brokerage, per the local market (typically 1–3% for resales; new-build commission is paid by the developer).
- Standard transfer taxes and fees as published by local authorities.
If we are also engaged for a Scouting Tour or Relocation, those service fees are quoted separately and disclosed up front.
What we will not do
- Accept undisclosed kickbacks, developer-paid commissions hidden from the family, or referral fees we have not told you about.
- Recommend buying as a default. The default position is rent for the first 6–12 months unless the family has specific reasons to act sooner.
- Recommend off-plan developments where the developer has financial distress or unclear completion timelines.
- Recommend property purely as an investment. Our remit is retirement, not yield.
Rent first, almost always
Even when a family is sure about a city, the right compound, floor, view, neighbours, helper availability, and hospital route can only be tested by living there. We push almost every family to rent for six to twelve months before any purchase. Most are quietly grateful afterwards.