North America realty appeal varies

As property in the United States recovers steadily from recession, New York City's commercial real estate is likely to continue to interest Chinese buyers, according to observers.

But the same cannot be said of Vancouver city in the Canadian province of British Columbia, another favorite destination of Chinese realty buyers, where a new tax has been slapped on foreign purchases.

"The Chinese economic growth is slowing. But it's still healthy. Real estate prices have recovered in most US markets and this gives confidence to foreign buyers, including the Chinese, to invest in US real estate," said Danielle Hale, manager of housing research for the National Association of Realtors in Washington.