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Archive for January, 2010

A Primer on U.S. Housing Markets and Housing Policy (Areuea Monograph Series) (Paperback)

January 26th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

A Primer on U.S. Housing Markets and Housing Policy (Areuea Monograph Series)

Review

“…[A] gem ? a compact readable introduction to the economics of housing, accessible to all, yet rigorous and judicious.” — University of California, Berkeley

A Primer on U.S. Housing Markets and Housing Policy is the first book that explains the economics of housing policy for a general audience. Planners, government officials, and public policy students will find that the economic perspective is a very powerful and useful way to examine these issues. The authors provide a broad review of the market for housing services in the U.S., including a conceptual framework, an overview of housing demand and supply, methods for measuring prices and quantities, and sources of basic data on markets. They cover housing programs and polices, and offer answers to policy questions that are of current interest. The book has been field-tested in graduate and undergraduate courses in urban and housing economics at the University of Wisconsin, the Univers (more…)

Indian Real Estate: Realty Hots Up

January 26th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

Funds are thriving and fund action continues unabated in India’s booming real estate market. TSI Ventures, an equal joint venture between Tishman Speyer and ICICI Ventures, has mopped up over $1-billion, barely 15-months after it was floated. This, while there are even more mega funds in Indian real estate’s pipeline. We have Actis looking at an India specific realty fund, and US-based Apollo Real Estate Advisors teaming up with Sun Group, just so they can pump in investments into the domestic real estate sector, a market which is probably, throwing up better yields than its peers amongst the emerging markets.
TSI Ventures multiple closing fund, which came into existence with $500-600 million, is currently seen to be crossing $1-billion, according to sources in the know. TSI, focussing on from the ground up projects, recently closed its first $100-million investment for 1.5-million sq. ft. project in Hyderabad. The fund is now closing in on deals in Bangalore, Chennai and Pune, one of which is a large integrated township.
Prakash Gurbaxani, CEO of TSI Ventures says his firm hopes to be managing and operating between 25,000 and 30,000-million sq. ft. space, both residential and commercial, over the next five to seven years. This could make it one of the largest real estate asset management entities in the country, as it targets a figure far bigger, than some of India’s largest realty houses have come up with, to date.
Meanwhile, UK-based private equity major Acentis bullish on the consumer products space, is exploring the possibility of an India-specific real estate fund. This fund could look at pure play realty, hospitality and tourism sectors. Currently, Actis operating the $500-million India specific fund, made investments and effected buyouts in the consumer products and services domain.
Last week, US realty major Apollo Real Estate Advisors forged a joint venture with Khemkas controlled Sun Group for its India foray with a $500-600-million fund, which could show up as nearly $1.5-billion in the future.
A group of former Morgan Stanley executives has floated $500-million India fund, Old Lane, for the infrastructure sector, which would also look at financing commercial real estate projects. The others exploring the domestic real estate action include London-based $300-million Duke India and a $100-million Saffron fund. The industry experts are hinting at cross-border fund flows of roughly $4-5-billion into the country over the next 12-18 months.
While, the fund action in realty is expected to gather momentum, with about 50-60 new ones India bound, questions are being raised on the investment avenues available in the country. Industry observers’ note, publicly listed realty stocks are far fewer in India compared to China and Hong Kong, even though the4 domestic market is better placed in terms of transparency.
That is nothing to get into a tizzy about, just as the Indian real estate market gains greater transparency, publicly listed realty stocks may soon match China’s and Hong Kong’s. Indian realty is the best bet for your bottom dollar!

Indian Real Estate: Realty Hot Ventures and Funds

January 26th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

Funds are thriving and fund action continues unabated in India’s booming real estate market. TSI Ventures, an equal joint venture between Tishman Speyer and ICICI Ventures, has mopped up over $1-billion, barely 15-months after it was floated. This, while there are even more mega funds in Indian real estate’s pipeline. We have Actis looking at an India specific realty fund, and US-based Apollo Real Estate Advisors teaming up with Sun Group, just so they can pump in investments into the domestic real estate sector, a market which is probably, throwing up better yields than its peers amongst the emerging markets.
TSI Ventures multiple closing fund, which came into existence with $500-600 million, is currently seen to be crossing $1-billion, according to sources in the know. TSI, focussing on from the ground up projects, recently closed its first $100-million investment for 1.5-million sq. ft. project in Hyderabad. The fund is now closing in on deals in Bangalore, Chennai and Pune, one of which is a large integrated township.
Prakash Gurbaxani, CEO of TSI Ventures says his firm hopes to be managing and operating between 25,000 and 30,000-million sq. ft. space, both residential and commercial, over the next five to seven years. This could make it one of the largest real estate asset management entities in the country, as it targets a figure far bigger, than some of India’s largest realty houses have come up with, to date.
Meanwhile, UK-based private equity major Acentis bullish on the consumer products space, is exploring the possibility of an India-specific real estate fund. This fund could look at pure play realty, hospitality and tourism sectors. Currently, Actis operating the $500-million India specific fund, made investments and effected buyouts in the consumer products and services domain.
Last week, US realty major Apollo Real Estate Advisors forged a joint venture with Khemkas controlled Sun Group for its India foray with a $500-600-million fund, which could show up as nearly $1.5-billion in the future.
A group of former Morgan Stanley executives has floated $500-million India fund, Old Lane, for the infrastructure sector, which would also look at financing commercial real estate projects. The others exploring the domestic real estate action include London-based $300-million Duke India and a $100-million Saffron fund. The industry experts are hinting at cross-border fund flows of roughly $4-5-billion into the country over the next 12-18 months.
While, the fund action in realty is expected to gather momentum, with about 50-60 new ones India bound, questions are being raised on the investment avenues available in the country. Industry observers’ note, publicly listed realty stocks are far fewer in India compared to China and Hong Kong, even though the4 domestic market is better placed in terms of transparency.
That is nothing to get into a tizzy about, just as the Indian real estate market gains greater transparency, publicly listed realty stocks may soon match China’s and Hong Kong’s. Indian realty is the best bet for your bottom dollar!

Moscow Real Estate Market Reaches Its Limits

January 26th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

In the end of 2005, the employees of Moscow’s real estate agency Penny Lane Realty encountered the unexpected problem. Daily people called company with the question : “I want to purchase an apartment and immediately rent it out to clients, who I can talk to?” The answer was not easy, because sales and rent in Penny Lane Realty are responsibilities of two different departments. As a result for people involved in this type of situation company gave out a special phone number, which did not stop ringing the entire following year. Penny Lane Realty employees they were very proud of the way they resolved this problem, but suddenly bells ceased.

Number of people who desired to become private investors in real estate nowadays are very limited, and many of those, who were involved in this business past years, are now parting with the last properties they own, because the apartments in Moscow for rent are no longer bringing huge and stunning income gains in tens of percent annually as it used to before. Last week for the first time investments into real estate yielded in the plan of profitableness to long-term deposits into the banks.

Real estate market huslers depart, prices of real estate in Moscow are reducing – even if it just a little, but for a few months in a row. It seemed this was the desired results for Russian government, that this was what most of the Russian middle class wanted, which in had no way to allow themselves to purchase new apartments, after the last year’s jump of prices. But real estate experts are calm – in their unanimous opinion, the only consequence of present “stagnation” will be the clearer price separation of the apartments in Moscow into the elite and of the economy-class. The latter will fall in price, but not too much. There was no bubble, therefore, it won’t burst. It turns out, “valid” price on the real estate, which is not influenced by the investors, who purchase entire houses, but only by demands of future tenants and the proposal of builders – is not too differed from “invalid”, black market price. As one of the salesmen of real estate cynically noted, “Moscow still lags on the average price of the apartments behind New York or London”. Principally situation will change only, if many new houses appear on the market – but there are no prerequisites for this.

For more info please visit my website at www.eng.realtor.ru

The Real Estate in China Is Booming

January 26th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

China is an incredible destination that provides tourists, investors, and prospective residents with a wealth of opportunities. From 1949 when the Communists took over the country to 1990s, there were only few office set ups and housing units in China. But, the country has now changed tremendously, and one can see high-rise commercial buildings and luxury apartment blocks dominating the skyline of China.
All of the destinations in China, especially Beijing and Shanghai, are considered hotspots for investing in real estate, no matter it is residential or commercial properties. When Beijing is the capital and the seat of administration in the country, Shanghai is regarded as the trade as well as financial center of the country, and is home to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Investing in Shanghai property market can undoubtedly fetch handsome returns in the form of rental income, since it is highly westernized because of its long tradition of international trade as well as European influence.
Now we will discuss some of the prime reasons that attract savvy investors to invest in China real estate, which include:
- First of all, China boasts of one of the world’s fastest growing economies
- With the set up of the World Trade Organization, China has now become the leader of the global economy
- Real estate prices in many of the cities in China such as Shanghai are presently one third of other world’s global cities such as New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. This is perhaps due to the explosive number of foreign direct investments per year
- Shanghai in China has been chosen as the venue to host some parts of the 2008 Olympics
- In contrast to other countries in Asia, China has very low crime rates. This in turn makes the country a safe place to live in
- Above all, the country is welcoming for westerners due to highly educated, amicable, and well mannered Chinese people
Investors interested in investing in property markets are categorized into institutional investors, commercial property investors, and residential property investors. Institutional investors fall under the category who is interested in investing in high rise office complexes as well as latest retail units, due to their increased demand and chances of shortage in future.
In the case of commercial property investors, they invest largely in properties such as small office spaces and commercial lands. When comes to residential property investors, they mostly invest in residential properties including villas, condominiums, apartments, single detached houses, townhouses, and serviced apartments. Some may invest in these properties to sell them in future when their prices rise, while some invest them in order to rent it out and yield good profits.
The price of a property in China varies depending upon the nature of the property and the area where it is situated. For instance, a standard apartment in Puxi near Shanghai is about RMB 20000 per square meters. On the other hand, the price of a serviced apartment attached with high end amenities and facilities may go up to RMB 30000 per square meters. According to certain recent reports, the price of a 60 square meters studio in one of the posh areas in the country starts from about 90,000 Pounds.
People who are interested in real estate in China can either invest it in property itself or via a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust), which in turn is a firm that invests its assets in real estate holdings. One of the prime benefits of investing through REIT is that they offer tremendous tax benefits, since investors need not have to pay any tax over the dividends. Another great benefit is that investors can buy or sell them just like stocks. Above all, no minimum amount has been set in order to invest in a real estate investment trust.
There are a number of real estate firms in the scenario in order to help you find your dream property in China. These firms undertake a range of services in connection with real estate, such as, market analysis, advertising, negotiation with sellers, and providing the services of professional attorneys in order to check the authenticity of documents pertaining to property.

The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook: Insider Secrets to Locating and Purchasing Pre-Foreclosed Properties in Any Market (Paperback)

January 25th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook: Insider Secrets to Locating and Purchasing Pre-Foreclosed Properties in Any Market

Review

“…Do not get into the pre-foreclosure real estate investment market until you have read this cover-to-cover.” — Anthony Marotta, President; Allied Property Management Group, Inc.; Palm Beach, FL

The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook explains everything you need to know to locate and purchase real estate bargains from banks, public auctions, and other sources. Whether you are a first-time homeowner or an experienced property investor, The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook is a tremendous guide for buying pre-foreclosed homes in any market. You will learn the simple formula (developed from real-life experience) that can build massive wealth through real estate foreclosures. The Federal Reserve Bank indicates”….that foreclosed properties average 22% less than typical properties.” Home foreclosures are at their highest peak in years; you can be one of the thousands earning six-figure incomes in this lucrative segment of the re (more…)

Why it Makes Sense to Buy Real Estate in Europe Now

January 25th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

Phenomena of International Real Estate

January 25th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

Dubai… A great place to live and property investment!

The Dubai Properties and Real Estate Blog is a resource center for international property investors. Being the commercial hub of the Arab world, Dubai saw property boom since 2002 when the government had permitted foreigners to invest in Dubai properties in order to boost Dubai and as well as the whole UAE real estate market.. For a few years now, some have been saying that the Dubai property bubble was about to burst and that a property crash was just around the corner. Yet, prices kept increasing and such doom mongering proved unfounded. The Dubai property market is unique in many ways, and as such doesn’t follow the general rules of other property markets around the globe and other Middle East property markets. The current rate of return on UAE property investments is in the region of 10 – 15 percent per annum, with this rate expected to continue for the foreseeable future, and rental yields in excess of 10% are further evidence of strength in the property market. The growth in the tourism industry of Dubai has been phenomenal with the 3.4 million visitors in 2001 expected to rise to over 6 million in 2010 – from a standing start the area is becoming a magnet for overseas visitors. Many of Dubai’s property developments set out to emulate the most prestigious residential addresses in the world. However, the less glamorous middle-income gulf or Middle East real estate market is increasingly drawing the attention of savvy investors. Dubai Properties is one of the biggest and has said it will deliver 5,000 units to the freehold market in 2008 which is not nearly enough to meet surging demand. Abu Dhabi property market will not deliver a single new real estate unit this year, and deliveries will only start late in 2009, and that creates additional demand in Dubai.

The Mediterranean island of Malta has recorded the strongest growth in property prices from countries in the European Union, and recent news could help see property inflation in double figures for the next few years. Malta is not only a tax efficient location with beautiful costal properties for sale or rental, but its warm climate, beautiful sea and days full of sun will help you relax and retire in a friendly and safe environment for Mediterranean property investment. Sustained property inflation at levels seen in Malta are rarely seen in other countries, but new economic activity on the island could see property demand at good levels for some years to come. The introduction of low cost flights to Malta from the UK will open up the possibility of more international real estate investors looking at the island for holiday homes that could be used for long weekends, and the Malta hotels industry could reap the benefits of the 3 and 4-day tourist seeing the island as a viable place to visit. After some years of wondering how Malta property market would fit into the modern world, property agents, hotel owners and the Malta holidays industry are beginning to see the future with some optimism.

Due to the gains in housing equity in the past 20 years, more people have been seeking to invest in housing, rather than other forms of investment. In the UK there has been a rise in the number of private buy to let investors. Similar to an increase in the buy to let sector, there has also been an increase in demand for houses from oversees property buyers. This has had a significant effect in boosting real estate demand, especially in London. In terms of land mass the UK is an incredibly small country yet it attracts amongst the highest levels of immigration in the world. the supply of property is always restricted in the UK and that exaggerates price swings and ensures a recovery. Those more patient buyers from Arabia will find themselves well rewarded.

Bali Real Estate Paradise Property, Land and Homes For Sale

January 25th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

Paradise Property Bali is the leading Bali real estate developer and property investment company. When it comes to buying the Bali real estate, Paradise Property offer fantastic property investment opportunities in Bali for private villas in Seminyak, luxury houses in Canggu, cliff top locations in Jimbaran and The Bukit, secluded beachfront in Candi Dasa and mountain and river views in Ubud.
Paradise Property Bali can help create lifestyles most people can only dream of with real estate options that include buying off plan in a gated community, to buying an already constructed luxury Bali private villa.
Paradise Property Bali provides fully integrated property investment services including architects and interior design, construction and quality control to European standards as well as Bali villa management and Bali villa rental services.
With discerning international clients and a large investment base, Paradise Property Bali knows that with global investment comes the expectation for quality and excellence. The architecture, interiors and finishing of all developments with Paradise Property Bali is of the highest international standards. So important is the quality aspect that a wood preparation facility and specialised kitchen manufacturing and design service using the finest quality European fittings are also being created by Paradise Property Bali to maintain standards that are second to none.
Looking at resent tourist boom and Bali’s many developments, Bali real estate still remains a buyers market, where a suitable Bali development for anyone’s taste is available.
Resent tremendous growth in both arrivals as well as people who wish to stay and live in Bali real estate has attracted more and more serious and larger development companies. The Bali developments are also more and more being developed with in now better exposed zoning law’s and areas, as well as building and construction regulations. The Bali villa buying market is also becoming more sophisticated, and as a respond most Bali villa developments now has a fairly good to even similar to European standards. Recently there has also been a trend where Bali developers offer a wider range of design and interior opportunities, even though most Bali developments has a strong Balinese touch to it.
Key words for a successful Bali real estate development is still about great location, quality build, recognized architect, as well as established management brand name attached to it.
At this stage Bali developers still source most building material locally in Bali, and around Indonesia. But also in this area more high end Bali developments has started to import some of the needed material, specifically interior and furniture. Bali land prices for Bali real estate projects in Bali residential market is still also very much undervalued with about 40% compared to Thailand and the market therefore sees a strong value for money buying into Bali developments.
Villas for Sale and Rent
We have a villa management and villa rentals department for our own developments as well as for some of the most exclusive and luxurious individual properties in Bali . A dedicated website at Paradise Villa Rentals has been created to provide you with details, information and prices to make your next trip to Bali a truly memorable event.
Land build packages
Paradise Property Bali also develop land build packages whereby an investor can ask for their own private dream home to be built on a plot of land. We will source the land, source the architects and liaise between the owner and all parties concerned to make sure the highest quality of build is achieved.
Exclusive locations
We offer the best property investment in the most exclusive and sought after destinations of Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, The Bukit, Ubud and Candi Dasa ; from prime beachfront to picture postcard rice fields and stunning mountain views, members of the Paradise Property family will have choices of luxury private villas most people can only wish for. An impressive list of prestigious developments in Central London, Geralds Cross, UK; Flagler Beach, Florida USA; Port Andraitx, Majorca and Marbella, Spain and the Casa Nova in Albufeira, Portugal is testimony to Paradise Property’s pedigree.
Property investment
With discerning international clients and a large property investment base, Paradise Property Bali knows that with global investment comes the expectation for quality and excellence. The architecture, interiors and finishing of all developments in all locations are of the highest international standards. So important is the quality aspect that a wood preparation facility and specialized kitchen manufacturing and design service using the finest quality European fittings are also being created to maintain standards that are second to none.

Monaco Real Estate 2007 Gets New Land

January 25th, 2010 StudioFlatsInLondon No comments

It could be ten years before it is complete, but a new island to be built off Monte Carlo is already attracting the attention of property investors.
With an area of 275,000 square metres, the island will include new apartments, hotels and retail units, with an estimated build cost of between 5 and 10 billion Euros.
Of the sixteen developers who submitted proposals for the island last year, five have been chosen to submit further details, with the winning bid anticipated to be announced in the autumn.
The second smallest country in the world, Monaco has France and Italy as neighbours, and realistically can only extend her land mass by reclamation from the Mediterranean, as it did some years ago with the area known as Fontvieille, and by building islands.
The arrival of new property for sale in Monaco will be particularly welcome. Monaco recently overtook London as the most expensive property destination in London.
Although new properties are currently being built in Monaco, these are for local residents, and not those seeking residency in the principality.
Residents in Monaco enjoy benefits including no income tax, and is a major attraction for business men and women.
Current properties for sale in Monaco include a small 30m2 studio at 720,000 Euros, a one bedroom 75m2 apartment at 1,500,000 Euros and a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment at just over 3,000,000 Euros.
Monte Carlo
The classic rules of supply and demand in the real estate market are likely to see Monaco property prices rise further in the short and medium term, according to Monaco property specialists.
With one bedroom apartments in the Principality already at the million Euro level, the lack of properties coming to the market and the absence of new builds could make today’s prices seem like a bargain in five years time.
‘Three years ago there were six hundred properties on the market’, they say, ‘Now there are two hundred. Coupled with increased demand, especially from the UK, prices have been rising and could go quite a bit further if current trends continue.’
Visitors to Monaco and Monte Carlo are often surprised at the lack of apartments for sale as they can see new buildings under construction.
‘The apartment buildings under construction are for local Monaco people’, explain the property company, ‘Rather than for the open market where anyone can buy a property. The situation is unlikely to improve in the short and medium term but the number of buyers is rising – and consequently so are the prices. Monaco now has the highest priced property in Europe.’
Other reasons for the shortage of property in Monaco include that residents are holding on to their apartments longer, enjoying the tax free status Monaco affords, and as the owners see their property rising in value holding on to it as an investment.
To maintain residency in Monaco, residents need to live in the Principality for six months a year. Winter time often sees a lot of apartments mothballed with the owners wintering in Barbados or St Lucia.