By Lorna Tan

It took 10 long years before land investor Helen Tay, 38, saw her investment bearing fruit.

In 1998, the former lawyer turned network marketer bought two units of Canadian land from Walton International Group for C$50,000.

Back then, she was told that it would be a five-year wait before the raw land obtained development approval. Another way she could exit her investment was if there was a third-party offer to Walton for the land. As things turned out, it took twice as long.

Investing in land overseas

Land banking can be profitable, but it is a not a short-term investment and buyers need to do their homework first

By Lorna Tan, Finance Correspondent

Singaporeans who want more bang for their buck are including foreign land banking as part of their investment portfolios. Many who do so are attracted by the potential high returns.

On the previous Saturday, for instance, some 300 people turned up for a land banking investment talk by Edgeworth Properties at Conrad Hotel.

There are currently about 10 firms selling foreign raw land here.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.