Overseas Property Investments: How Are They Perceived by the Institutional Investor?

International property investments are being considered by many institutional investors as an alternative investment media. Although a new concept for many, some investors (particularly the British and Dutch) have historically held overseas property as part of their investment portfolios. Examines results from 43 international investors who completed a survey exploring the decision‐making process used by international property investors, including investment techniques;motivating factors and the major problems often associated with making overseas investments; and in particular the investors′ attitudes towards currency risk. With little research, investors operate in a vacuum–unaware of attitudes and strategies used by others. Responses detailed provide information not only on how this asset class is perceived by those who are actively holding overseas investments but also by numerous firms who are contemplating the asset class and those who have decided against overseas property investments.