Weekend round-up

Here is a collection of real estate articles from around the world to comment on. What are you seeing out there in your area? Post your links and thoughts.

Farming the cream of the real estate crop

Sales figures compiled by the Real Estate Institute (REINZ) show the median farm price increased by 52 per cent between April 2007 and April 2008, ...

From boom to gloom?

Leave it to Garth Turner to throw cold water on the notion Canada can achieve a soft real estate landing, when history and the slump south of the border ...

Western prosperity buoys real estate in Maritimes

Western prosperity is helping boost prospects for Atlantic Canada's real estate markets, a major national realtor reported Monday. ...

US economy struggles to regain its balance

But the thing to remember is that it's not just residential real estate. The same factors that were behind the housing bubble were also at work, ...

Silicon Valley investors join in Vietnam's real estate frenzy

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - A half a world away from Silicon Valley's anemic real estate market, agent Cindy Nguyen has little time for sleep while she sniffs out deals in one of the world's hottest property markets...

Why the Property Boom Bypassed Germany

Lured by remarkably low prices, property investors from the United Kingdom and Ireland have been snapping up real estate, especially in Berlin. ...

Weekend round-up

Here is a collection of real estate articles from around the world to comment on. What are you seeing out there in your area? Post your links and thoughts.

Online property sales probed - Australia

Moody's: Commercial real estate prices slipping - USA

Real estate sector growth trends - Bulgaria

5-10 percent European property fall

Real estate wary of hot foreign money - UAE

Al Gharbia set to become a real estate hot spot - UAE

Israel is still a hot market for high-end real estate

Africa: Asset Managers Look to Continent

Japan faces backlog of unsold homes

REIT's and Real Estate Funds

Looking for the next real estate play? Real Estate Investment Trusts and Real Estate Funds are worth a look.

In the US, a Wall Street Journal article states; "The average real-estate fund, which lost more than 14% on average in 2007, is up nearly 5.6% this year through May 12, which makes it the second-best performing U.S. stock fund group this year, behind the hot natural-resources funds category."

The Jerusalem Post in Israel quoted; "The current crisis that started with the sub-prime fiasco has [affected] real estate prices all over the world. It is now possible to buy real estate for rental purposes at prices that are lower by up to 20% from a year ago, and I believe prices will fall more. The current prices are hurting many, but for those companies or individuals with ready cash, it has created attractive investment opportunities. "

If you are interested in these real estate investment vehicles, China is one of the places to put on your radar. A storey in The Sydney Morning Herald printed this; "As the fastest growing real estate market, with substantial commercial property assets that are of investment grade, China has the potential to be an REIT phenomenon if the legislation for such a market is put in place."


Final Thoughts: There are several real estate markets around the world that are still growing.

In markets such as the US, the price to get into these types of investments are cheap compared to previous levels.

There is talk out there in the msm covering how these trusts and funds got beat down in 2007 and the upside potential that is beginning to take shape. Now is the time to investigate. If you wait to hear about it on the evening news before you make a move...well need I say more.


Today's Quote: Owning a home is a keystone of wealth.. both financial affluence and emotional security. Suze Orman

Well, it used to be cheap to live in the burbs

There is an interesting post on The Oil Drum. There are some great graphics posted that show the percentage of income required to commute as you move away from the city and into the suburbs in Sydney.

The main article behind the post talks about the rising cost of fuel cutting into the family budget for car-dependant commuters. Fuel prices in Sydney are approaching $1.50 per litre and some estimate it could rise to $2.00 over the next couple years which would equate to about 6% of income for those who commute. Add to this an inadequate transit system and the lack of government to fast track alternative fuel research some are worried a serious crisis will develop.

Final thoughts: The article briefly mentioned the impact on those who are already mortgage strapped and I couldn't help but see this as a global problem.

Australia, US, Canada, Great Britain and many other countries have had major real estate booms and as gas prices continue to climb, those who maxed out on their mortgage I suspect started feeling the pinch when fuel broke $1.00 per litre.

Maybe unemployment is at an all-time low in some areas because those who are mortgage strapped have 2nd and 3rd jobs.

Today's quote: Every day, you’ll have opportunities to take chances and to work outside your safety net. Sure, it’s a lot easier to stay in your comfort zone.. in my case, business suits and real estate.. but sometimes you have to take risks. When the risks pay off, that’s when you reap the biggest rewards. Donald Trump

Weekend round-up

Here is a collection of real estate articles from around the world to comment on. What are you seeing out there in your area? Post your links and thoughts.

International Real Estate Investment: What Investors Should Know - General

Media to blame for slump, say real estate agents - New Zealand

Global wealth boom to trigger a 77pc surge in millionaires - World

India Real Estate Expo 2008 - USA

REAL ESTATE: Outlook tough for sellers - USA

Foreign buyers snap up US real estate - USA

Property in the Caribbean: St Lucia goes bananas for property - Caribbean

Can UAE real estate boom dodge US slow down? - Middle East

International buyers eye Canadian real estate - Canada

Real estate bargains in high-growth areas of the world

With the US in a real estate down-turn, and the credit crisis negatively affecting capital markets around the world, real estate investors are looking to the emerging markets for opportunities.

Some emerging markets of interest include Brazil, Asia and India which are areas that are still growing at a healthy pace. While participating directly in these markets is not feasible for most individuals there are opportunities to get in on the action through REITs that invest in foreign real estate.

Final thought: While there seems to be much hype around foreign real estate investments on the web with plenty of "big" names such as Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch chasing the money. However, the contrarian in me suspects the best opportunities are those markets that have already been beaten down. As the old Wall Street saying goes, buy when there is blood on the street.