Romanians and Americans buy property following completely different logics, and the difference matters for anyone who wants to invest on the other side of the Atlantic. The observation came from Simona Pelin, CEO of S&P Group, at Forbes România Business Bridges 2026, the event organized by Forbes Romania at Forbes on Fifth in New York.
“In Romania, you buy a house like an asset you love with your soul. In America, it’s different. You don’t buy a house, you buy the numbers. Numbers define the deal in America,” Simona Pelin said.
Born in Romania and having built her business in the United States, Pelin has invested in both markets and argues that the way you buy decides everything. “It’s very important how you buy a property, because that determines how much money goes into it. In the end, the numbers will be the most important asset,” the CEO of S&P Group explained.
For Romanian investors, the United States remains, in her view, one of the most efficient markets in the world in terms of stability. Moving part of their assets across the Atlantic can also open access to instruments still rarely used at home. “They can develop them into a financial vehicle, like a hedge fund or a family office, something very new in Romania,” the entrepreneur said. The reverse route works just as well: for Americans, Romania is a great market.
“This bridge is inspirational. I think it will be the best opportunity for both countries to create major investments in both directions. I cannot wait to see this relationship grow in the next couple of years,” Simona Pelin said.
