What's Up Sri Lankan Property Owners?

There is a growing concern in the real estate market with respect to this notion of 'Foreigners Only'  when it comes to renting out their properties, most of the Sri Lankan owners are always comfortable to let expats and foreigners occupy their properties and this is going to hit the local market very hard.  It is sad to note that these Sri Lankan Property Owners are leaving behind a huge segment of locals who can sometimes outshine the standards of the expat or foreign lifestyle.  This mentality has to  change and probably will but it has to happen soon.

Perhaps it has to be brought to light that all foreigners do not qualify to win a property be it commercial or residential properties.  When it comes to apartments especially,  it was noted that the owner is super curious to know the nationality mainly because  certain  nationalities have lost it in Colombo and word has spread to be cautious with such  clients.  Hence,  the importance of getting hold of a reliable agency / broker is highlighted.  There are agencies in Colombo that are extremely careful  of the  clients they deal with. 

Having said that,  it must also be remembered that one must not single out a nationality just like that as that would sound very rude. Not all are bad and not all are good either.  There has to be a certain degree of screening involved and a little bit of background check king to be done  before you proceed  forward.  At times,  when it's difficult to extract information,  use the agent who brought the client to obtain more information about the  client so he understands that his job is not over.  Many unprofessional agents just go missing after they get their money and this   culture has to change.

Sri Lankan Property Owners need to understand that  it's more to screen the client as opposed to eliminating the locals from framework. Just imagine a Sri Lankan living abroad as a foreigner, would he get the kind of treatment that is given to foreigners here? That kind of respect? Nope.  It's a big no.  So where will our Sri Lankan clients go then?  This topic needs to be considered very seriously and  there has to be a win-win situation.