REAL ESTATE NEWS (Los Angeles, CA) — For years, the unwise mainstream media asserted that Communist China’s economy was immune to recessions due to its communist control. However, recent events are painting a much grimmer picture, proving that no economy is recession-proof, especially one that is fundamentally flawed. The downfall of China’s real estate market, exemplified by the Evergrande crisis, serves as a cautionary tale that communism is, in essence, a state of recession and corruption in an environment of constant deception. China stocks are tumbling, according to CNBC.
Evergrande Crisis: The Tip of the Iceberg
Evergrande, once China’s second-largest property developer, has faced a disastrous decline. According to Bloomberg and Business Insider, the firm’s shares have plummeted by as much as 87%, becoming a penny stock. With liabilities ballooning to around $340 billion by the end of 2022, the crisis seems to be symptomatic of larger issues in the Chinese real estate sector.
Debt, Delay, and Decline
Evergrande defaulted on its debts in 2021, which led to the suspension of its shares in March 2022. The company recently delayed a crucial debt restructuring meeting and revealed that its subsidiary, Hengda Real Estate, is under investigation. This prevented them from issuing new debt, further plummeting shares by 25%. As many as 53 Chinese developers have collapsed in recent years, further emphasizing the market’s instability.
Policy Paralysis: Beijing’s Inaction
Contrary to expectations that the Communist Party would bail out the sinking industry, Beijing has held back from extending large-scale policy support. This passive stance is a risky gamble, with wide-ranging consequences not just for China but also for global investors. As the market continues to crumble, the government’s strategy to boost consumer demand in other economic sectors appears ineffectual.
The Underlying Problem: Communism’s Faulty Foundation
The narrative that a Communist-controlled economy can’t experience a recession is deeply flawed. At its core, communism fosters an environment rife with corruption and inefficiency. The lack of market forces, coupled with state-controlled planning, has led to a bubble that was always doomed to burst. This environment of constant deception, veiled in the false security of state control, makes the communist economy essentially a state of perpetual recession.
Why Should Real Estate Investors in Los Angeles Care?
For home buyers, sellers, renters, landlords, and investors in dynamic markets like Los Angeles, the China real estate crisis offers valuable lessons. It underscores the importance of governance models, regulatory environments, and market-driven economies in assessing the long-term viability of real estate investments.
Moreover, the ripple effects of China’s real estate woes are already visible in Los Angeles. A prime example is the failed OceanWide Plaza project, which sits unfinished and vacant in Downtown Los Angeles. This “ghost building,” as it has come to be known, is eerily reminiscent of the numerous abandoned properties scattered throughout Communist China. It collects weeds instead of revenue, transforming what could have been a bustling area into a deserted lot. This serves as a tangible illustration of how a poorly governed foreign investment can impact even the most robust local markets. It’s an admonition that international economic distress can and does cross oceans to influence the real estate landscape here in Los Angeles.
Learning from China’s Real Estate Meltdown
The recent downturn in Communist China’s real estate market, exemplified by the Evergrande fiasco, is a reminder that no economy is impervious to the laws of supply and demand, or the consequences of corruption and poor governance. The crumbling of this market serves as a poignant lesson for global investors to remain cautious and diligent, especially in systems that are not as transparent or free as they claim to be.
China real estate is also diminished by un-ownable land and corrupt practices that results in cheating on building materials, known as “tofu-dreg” ( 豆腐渣工程 ) shoddy construction, which often results in rapid deterioration or collapse of many structures. In May, a building collapsed, killing 54. Just two months later, a school gymnasium caved in on a girls volleyball team, killing 11. American investors have recently been abandoning mainland China, in favor of safer bets like India and Vietnam, especially for product manufacturing.
So, whether you’re a homeowner in Los Angeles looking to invest abroad or a real estate broker eyeing international properties, tread carefully. Make sure you understand the political and economic landscape before making any significant investment moves.
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Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog with information provided by Corey Chambers, Broker DRE 01889449. We are not associated with the seller, homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact 213-880-9910 or visit LALoftBlog.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Text and photos created or modified by artificial intelligence. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.