Global Property Expo Singapore: A New Era for Real Estate in the Asia-Pacific Region

Global Property Expo Day 2: Where Innovation Meets Intention in Global Real Estate
By Paulo Lopes
CEO, Casaiberia
The second day of the Global Property Expo in Singapore, hosted at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, confirmed what many of us felt on the first day: this event is more than a gathering, it's a movement. If Day 1 sparked global insights on investment, luxury, and cross-border opportunities, Day 2 deepened the conversation, focusing on technology, investor behavior, education, and strategic growth across borders.
While the foot traffic might not have broken records, the quality of attendees did. Speaking to many exhibitors, from international developers to citizenship advisors and real estate tech leaders, one sentiment was shared: “We expected more people, but the ones who came were serious.” Visitors weren’t browsing; they were planning, evaluating, and investing.
As I walked the exhibition floor, the level of engagement was palpable. Whether speaking with citizens of Singapore or overseas investors, it became clear that this fair attracted a uniquely motivated audience. The interest in overseas property, “Portugal included”, was not just curiosity, but a signal of mature investor intent.
Teaching, Not Pitching: What Makes This Expo Special
One of the defining features of this Expo is the high quality of speaker panels and spotlight sessions. There’s a refreshing shift away from “sales talk” toward genuine education and strategy sharing, which has left both attendees and exhibitors with tangible value.
The morning began with a cutting-edge Spotlight on AI in Real Estate Investing, where Moubin Faizullah-Khan (CEO, GetGround) illustrated how AI and digital tools are reducing friction in cross-border property ownership. From entity formation to digital management, his session shed light on how global investing is becoming more automated and transparent, critical in an increasingly fast-moving environment.
Following this, Marciano Birjmohun moderated a sharp and practical panel on modern investment strategies, featuring Jennifer Chia (TSMP Law Corporation) and Marian Dzhenkov (Lifetime Capital). They tackled head-on the issues of inflation, currency volatility, and the need for diversified and flexible portfolio planning in today’s unpredictable global economy.
From Beginners to Experts: Real Estate for All Stages
In the session “Residential Investment 101”, the focus shifted to the new generation of global investors. Moderated by Jennifer Chia, this panel demystified the entry barriers for non-resident buyers. Panelists like Joel Kwok (JLL), Sam Kam (InteRealtor), and Minoli Wickramasinghe (Capital Trust Properties) addressed the basics: financing options, market selection, and exit strategies, offering a vital playbook for those making their first move in the international property arena.
One of the most engaging conversations came during the Fireside Chat titled “My First Property Abroad: What I Wish I Knew”. I had the honor of moderating this very candid discussion, alongside Abhii Dabas (INTRIC Technologies) and Stavroula ‘Vicky’ Vamvaka (Newdeal Group). We discussed hidden costs, tax challenges, and even the emotional rollercoaster of navigating a foreign system. Judging by the packed room and note-taking crowd, this topic hit home for many.
Trust and Transparency: Choosing the Right Partners
Later in the day, the attention shifted to the human element of property investment—specifically, how to choose the right agent abroad. Robin LaSure (LeadingRE) moderated a useful session with experts like Travis Coleman (Belle Property), João Reis (JLL Portugal), and Ivan Varat (San Patrik Real Estate), diving into what makes a reliable agent a long-term asset rather than just a transaction closer.
Global Markets on Display: From the Middle East to Australia
The Middle East market took the spotlight next with insights from Khaled Assaf (Marjan) and Dr. Andrew B. Jones (Richmind), moderated by Louissa Thomas (Levella Global). The panel highlighted how regulatory clarity, infrastructure mega-projects, and lifestyle branding are transforming Dubai and Abu Dhabi into magnets for global capital.
We then transitioned into an emerging trend shaking up the luxury real estate world, home exchange. Giles Adams (ThirdHome) shared how this long-standing concept is now a billion-dollar ecosystem thanks to second-home ownership and the sharing economy.
As the afternoon unfolded, the focus turned to Australia and New Zealand with a powerhouse panel moderated by Melissa Montgomery (JLL). Speakers including Peter Thompson (Barfoot & Thompson), Paul Macey (Citrus Living), and Freya Watson (JLL Australia) provided granular insights on foreign ownership rules, lifestyle appeal, and the resilient demand in markets like Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Ending on Innovation: Tech and the Next Generation
The final sessions of the day leaned heavily into PropTech and next-gen buyer behavior. From Chris White decoding rental yield logic to Matt Silver (The Boundary) offering immersive walkthrough technologies, and Hannah Yulo-Luccini (Hotel101 Global) showcasing flexible ownership models, these panels gave us a glimpse of what tomorrow’s investors are really looking for.
The day closed with a fascinating fireside chat on Experiential PropTech, moderated by Adam Souissi (JLL). It was a reminder that in this borderless world, buying property you’ve never physically seen is no longer a risk, it’s a new norm, made safer through tech.
A Global Conversation with APAC at Its Core
Day 2 of the Global Property Expo proved that education, innovation, and qualified networking are what set great events apart from good ones. While Portugal continued to garner interest from savvy investors, it was APAC, its people, potential, and pace, that truly stole the spotlight.
As someone who had the pleasure of both speaking and learning, I can only say this: the Global Property Expo is not just about property, it’s about possibilities.