Examples from that one complex: rent a basic 1-BR, HKG 25,000 (US $3,333/mo.); with any kind of a view that goes up to 38,000 ($5,067/mo.). To buy a 3-BR is HKG 19 million (US $2.5 million), and let's see how far your $1,200 buying allowance goes on that, huh? To rent a 3-BR is HKG 80K (nearly US $10.7K PER MONTH). Two-BR (rock-bottom for most of us) rents for HKG 46,000 (US $6,100+), for 1,200 sq.ft.

So, to move into a 3-BR, you're coughing up $32,000, PLUS the agent's fees, right up front. How's that $10K seed money look now? More than just a little anemic, isn't it?