That said, I have worked in and out of Vietnam for the last 20 odd years and I have actually bought and sold an apartment in HCMC.I was looking for a place close to our office by Tan Son Nhat airport and one of my local partners invited me to join her at a new condo development open house in Thu Duc, 15 mins from airport; 3 buildings on the Saigon river.

Also us that method for identifying the real estate attorney, insurance and real estate agent (s).

I would only add that you can also do Planned Unit Developments (called different things in other places) where you actually define you own height restriction as part of the plan - the plan will need to be approved by local council normally.Another alternative to check is Height Incentives that can be included as part of redevelopment areas or other areas of a city where there are incentives to spur development.

I'm sure it does when the developer's doing the appraisal.

In many states it is a requirement for the estate to "advertise" that the estate is going through probate and to identify the executor of the estate.

The lending climate for condos appears to be tough unless the entire development has been placed on approval lists by Fannie/Freddie.

I was working the 9-5 job making a solid income as a web developer, but i was miserable.

If a Wal-mart wants to develop on a few raw acres of commercially zoned land, does it make that land a lot more valuable?

The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M has very good updated population data, as will most state websites, and local economic development teams.

Some great advice in this thread, thanks everyone.I have identified a few houses I am interested in (it will be my first house), but I'd like to pay a lot less than what is listed.