World real estate prices rose just 0.5% over the last five years, this according to research from Knight Frank, a real estate research consultancy.  CNBC broke down the top ten world real estate markets by growth.

Considering the overall global economic picture, much of the list is not surprising.  China is in the lead with 110% growth over the last five years, and Hong Kong is second with 93% growth in real estate prices.  Other countries with traditionally strong economies made the list too.  Singapore, Canada, Norway, Malaysia, and Switzerland are in the top ten.

Some surprises?  Israel held on to its spot from 2009 as number three on the list.  Columbia was the only South American country near the leaders for world real estate growth in the past five years.  And Taiwan is number six, making it half the list coming from Asia.

We have been approached a number of times about having international home auctions.  Places in our region would seem to be the most likely candidate for a future luxury property auction.  Think Mexico, the Bahamas, or Canada.

These markets are close.  There is much precedence for Americans buying and selling in these countries, and many of our contacts have approached us about them.  We are of course open to evaluating properties for auction in any world real estate market (request a complimentary evaluation) and may some day branch out internationally. However, for now we have plenty of business in our own backyard.