The World's Ultra Wealthy Are On The Rise

  According to the recently released “Wealth Xand USB World Ultra Wealth Report,” 2012 saw the global population of Ultra High Net Worth (UHNWI’s) individuals grow to a record number of 199,235 individuals.  On a global basis, their combined net worth is reported to be a staggering $27.8 trillion.

   One of the key areas, which has and will continue to benefit from this growth in the number of HNWI’s is the luxury, upper tier real estate market.  Unlike Muskoka for example which has drawn wealthy visitors and property buyers since the turn of the last century, the southern Georgian Bay region has only just recently started to attract wealthFrom time to time we’ve all heard the phrase “the haves versus the have-nots.”  As the global economy regained traction after the 2nd world war via rapid growth in the manufacturing sector, jobs became plentiful, the middle class grew and along with it their overall prosperity.

  Fast forward into the 1980’s and with much of their activities fueled by junk bond financing, corporate raiders became overnight millionaires if not billionaires setting a new benchmark for personal wealth.  Other noteworthy events and or milestones that similarly defined a new level of what constitutes “high net worth individuals” (HNWI’s) was the short-lived dot com era and the emergence of the middle-east as the major source for the world’s oil needs.  More recently we’ve had the stock price manipulation and other financial high jinx by companies such as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco and to a degree Canada’s own Bre-X and Nortel.  Lastly the explosion of the technology sector has brought us the likes of Microsoft, Apple, RIM and others all of which enjoyed immense success, albeit some have withered.  Lastly, let’s not forget the professional sports and entertainment industries which have also enjoyed substantial success in recent years.  Throughout this era, a new level of unimaginable wealth has been created for those fortunate to have participated in these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

y buyers looking for either a recreational or potential retirement property.  As of yet, we are hardly a destination for wealthy International buyers but this too may change.  Overall, Canada is viewed as a safe haven.  Our economy has outperformed many other countries throughout the latest global recession making us attractive to foreign investors.  Time will tell how well the local luxury real estate market will fare in the years ahead. 

  In my next post I will report on the current luxury market in general including what the wealthy are currently feeling relative to luxury real estate as an investment.