Real Estate Without Borders

Philip Harvey is a senior partner at Property Vision, a buying agency that only works for buyers and has looked at about 149,000 high-end homes over 43 years. We talk about why Americans and other Westerners are buying abroad now, why Italy's tax regime is drawing so many of them, and why so many buyers have no idea which country they want. Philip also explains how his team covers 13 countries across Europe and the Caribbean.
Show notes
00:00 Intro. Who's buying abroad and why
00:49 Philip Harvey and Property Vision: buy side only, data driven
02:26 Why so many international property firms are based in the UK
04:22 North America's property obsession and net worth tied up in the family home
05:30 How Philip sizes up what a buyer actually needs
08:35 What's driving Americans to buy overseas
11:47 Where buyers are looking. Italy, lifestyle, and the flat tax going from €100,000 to €200,000 and then €300,000
12:49 Buyers who could live anywhere: Spain, France, Italy, or a Greek island
15:10 Covering many markets, languages, and tax systems
17:32 Messy property data and the limits of AI
19:12 The skills a buying agent needs
21:12 Property Vision's 13 markets, from Scotland and Ireland to the Caribbean
24:04 Where to find Philip
24:13 The Monet analogy, and why you should get advice before buying a home
26:02 Wrap
Guest links
Property Vision: https://www.propertyvision.com
Philip Harvey, Senior Partner, Property Vision

Mohamed Mussa runs Chestertons Global, a 220-year-old UK property brand that has grown from 14 to 30 countries in two years. We talk about how geopolitics is moving cross-border capital around, how he picks partners in new markets, and how AI is actually useful in real estate beyond writing listing descriptions. He finishes with the checklist he thinks every international investor should run before buying.
Show notes
00:00 Intro. Mohamed's first podcast
00:47 Who Mohamed is: Chestertons Global, its history, and its parent company Mercantile
03:02 The UK as an exporter of real estate talent
04:05 Geopolitical tension isn't shrinking cross-border capital, it's moving it
11:38 Real estate as a path to upward mobility
13:58 High net worth migration (Henley & Partners numbers) and the investors below that tier
20:30 Partnering, leverage, and how Chestertons vets partners before putting its name on a market
28:36 Using a trusted brand to lead capital into a market
30:34 AI in real estate and why most firms are using it wrong
37:15 Following trends across 30 markets
39:45 Mohamed's top things to look at in a market, starting with capital growth, yields, and refurbishment data
44:15 Agentic AI and building data where there's no MLS
45:35 Closing advice: demographics, exit, infrastructure, partners, currency, and political stability
Guest links
Chestertons Global: https://www.chestertons.com
Mohamed Mussa, Managing Director, Chestertons Global

Alfonso Muñoz is chief strategy and business development officer at Garnica, a Spanish plywood maker with seven factories in Spain and France that sells into more than 50 countries. We go up the supply chain to see what builders and buyers around the world actually want. Alfonso explains why Europe is pushing for greener, low emission materials, why cheap finishes cost you more in five to ten years, and how heat, termites and wildfire risk are changing what goes into a home. We also get into prefab and modular housing, the RV and camper van boom, and where Garnica sees growth next.
Show notes
- 00:00 Intro. Going up the supply chain with Cam
- 00:20 Alfonso Muñoz and Garnica: seven factories, 50+ countries, North America as the biggest market
- 01:44 European poplar, lightweight plywood, and the markets it serves, from RVs to superyachts
- 02:54 Why Garnica makes over 4,000 SKUs for different countries
- 04:22 Growing to the second largest hardwood plywood producer in Europe
- 05:03 Building rules vary by country. The Netherlands, prefab, and demand for low carbon, low formaldehyde products
- 06:56 Are developers going green for buyers or for rebates and regulation?
- 10:46 Longevity vs cheap materials. The kitchen example-
13:08 Flips in Toronto, lipstick on a pig, and what cheap finishes do to your investment
- 15:04 Where Garnica sees growth: the US, the Netherlands, the UK. Rates, inflation and the Strait of Hormuz
- 16:44 RVs, caravans, and structural insulated panels for prefab homes
- 17:44 Modular vs traditional construction, and France's 40 square metre garden house rule
- 19:41 The camper van boom during COVID, the drop after, and the rebound in the last six months
- 23:05 Climate change and building products: heat, hurricanes and adverse conditions
- 25:01 Treating wood for termites in the Caribbean and the southeast US
- 25:56 Carpenter ants, Ontario homes, and asking the right questions before you buy
- 26:59 Alfonso's favourite places: Italy and Australia
- 28:22 Fire resistant plywood after the Swiss Alps New Year's Eve fire
- 29:36 Why climate risk matters when your home is your biggest asset
- 30:19 Wrap

Guest links
- Garnica: https://www.garnica.com

Check out: https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/
Most investors overlook one of the world’s most undervalued markets— Paraguay. In this episode, Mikk from Global Property Guide reveals why this landlocked country’s attractive tax system and ease of residency make it a hidden gem for global real estate investors. You’ll discover how geopolitical risks and property rights vary across countries and what to watch out for when investing abroad.We break down:
Why Paraguay is an overlooked but potentially lucrative market for real estate investors
The impact of land registry systems and political risks on property security
European hotspots like Albania and Montenegro with high-growth potential
How Latin American markets such as Colombia and Mexico continue to offer opportunities despite recent drops in prices
The shifting demand from North America and Europe, driven by lifestyle and currency diversification
The key factors influencing where international investors buy—from safety to affordability
How to identify undervalued markets before they boom
Tips for navigating complex legal and bureaucratic hurdles in emerging markets

You’ll also learn:Stepping into global real estate investment involves understanding geopolitical risks, liquidity, and legal frameworks. Missing this insight means risking lost opportunities or, worse, investments in unstable markets. With the global economy shifting, this episode arms you with crucial data-driven perspectives to make smarter, safer international real estate choices.Perfect for seasoned investors and beginners alike—whether you're diversifying your portfolio or exploring your first overseas property—this episode unlocks a world of strategic opportunities that could redefine your investment horizon.
Mikk is a global real estate expert at Global Property Guide, with firsthand experience analyzing markets across Latin America, Europe, and beyond. His insights help investors identify undervalued opportunities in an increasingly complex global landscape.Why this works: This episode hooks with Paraguay’s surprising potential, sparking curiosity in undervalued markets. It offers clear, concrete insights into legal risks, regional trends, and high-growth markets, appealing to investors eager to expand their portfolios globally. The detailed yet accessible data-driven approach encourages immediate engagement—making listeners eager to hit play and learn how to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Billy Ekofo Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billyekofo
Discover the secret to thriving in emerging markets—places many overlook, yet offer astonishing opportunities for long-term real estate investment. If you’re an investor, broker, or developer craving insights into Africa, Mauritius, or frontier markets like Kenya and Nigeria, this episode is your essential guide to understanding where the next big growth waves are headed—and how to ride them. Billy Ekofo, Vice President of Global Growth at Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, dives deep into the trends shaping international real estate today. From the population-driven boom in Africa to the burgeoning retiree interest in Mauritius, he reveals how demographic shifts and political changes are opening doors to exciting new markets. You'll learn why reputation and stigma could be holding you back and how safety, land rights, and local regulations are evolving, making these regions more accessible and attractive than ever before.In this episode, we break down:
How rising birth rates in Africa create long-term real estate potential
The impact of infrastructure capacity on market sustainability
Why high rental yields in countries like Nigeria and Kenya outperform Western markets
The importance of a long-term horizon—think 10 years or more—for successful investments in frontier markets
Practical tips on navigating land ownership complexities and local legislation
The untapped opportunities in data centers, industrial land, and logistics hubs fueling global growth
How international real estate professionals can leverage cross-border collaborations to serve increasingly global clients
Why does this matter now? Because markets like Mauritius and parts of Africa are undergoing demographic and political shifts that could define the next chapter in global real estate. Ignoring these opportunities risks leaving significant gains on the table as more investors realize the value.
The key lies in understanding local nuances, managing patience, and building trusted networks with experts who know the terrain.Billy Ekofo is a recognized authority in international real estate, with over eight years guiding clients and brokers across multiple continents. His insight into emerging markets and strategic vision helps investors navigate risks and maximize returns—whether they're looking for retirement havens, rental income, or long-term growth.If you’re ready to expand your horizons—seeking high yields, diversification, and future-proof investments—this episode equips you with the knowledge to act confidently. Perfect for real estate pros, investors, and ambitious entrepreneurs who want to stay ahead of the curve, it’s time to think global, act bold, and unlock the door to markets once considered out of reach.Join us and Billy as we explore how to leverage the next frontier in real estate—markets where patience, local intelligence, and strategic partnerships turn challenges into unmatched opportunities.