Success in real estate can sometimes be had via an old Chinese proverb that says, "All things come to him who waits." While most Westerners will scoff at such a passive precept, the Chinese, being a people known to have extraordinary patience make good use of it. The Chinese are very keen about gossips even when they do not seem to pay attention to them. They patiently listen to the whisperings of the business air and find confirmation of the gossips from reliable sources such as the government. To reinforce the gossip, they help make it happen with speculative manoeuvres.

The Chinese are said to be astute entrepreneurs. They can be aggressive and sometimes offensive in such mode. Brutality and force are not alien as "tools" of the trade when deemed necessary by the patriarchs. On the other hand, they can also be patient and tame in a speculative mode. But remember that with either approach, the end is always aimed at business success and triumph.

In real estate, it is best illustrated by how the Chinese will buy useless raw lands in areas that are far from the business district. On the large property, the owner builds a warehousing facility for his own wares or rented in part or in whole to those who cannot yet afford to build their own. Earning a little with a cheap warehouse is better than no income at all. He continually sniffs the air for confirmations of the gossip that was the reason for the speculative purchase of the large seemingly useless raw property at rock-bottom price. They make friends with government officials in charge of development directions and plans. Friendships and gifts are two more of their powerful tools to gain influence.

After years of waiting, he uses the friendships and offer more gifts exploiting the weaknesses of the government official who calls the shots in the area's development plan. He suggests positive growth area development with his warehouse in mind. As soon as highways and roads are built passing through the warehouse, it is promptly converted into a showroom cum warehouse that makes it easier for him to sell and manage his large inventories. The old storefront at the business district continues its usual operation complementing the new and flourishing business at the new site. Increased sales mean increased profits that can buy deeper friendships and more extensive influence.

The businessman enjoys his game and buys some more cheap land on which he will later build commercial complexes, residential blocks and/or warehouses. His operation will already include real estate earning from his own as well as from clients of the business, residential and warehouse complexes.

Indeed, things carefully and patiently planned for come to him who waits.