Latin America and Asia remain the strongest real estate markets in the world but emerging markets in Europe, particularly Poland, show further improvements, according to the latest Global Commercial Property Survey.
A growing number of investors from India are showing interest in Dubai as they look to capitalize on 60 per cent savings per square foot in the Dubai property market, a Dubai-based real estate company has said.
The final 2010 edition of Global Market Perspective provides our view on the likely shape of commercial real estate markets across the globe in 2011. Over the next 12 months we expect to see a much greater divergence in real estate activity and performance.
The success of the Embassy Parks REIT has given global investors strong reason to increase their stake in multiple commercial assets across the country so that these could be listed under REITs in the future. Some of these global institutional investors who are eyeing the country’s real estate market via REITs include Japan’s NikkoAm StraitsTrading Asia, US’ North Carolina Fund, Taiwan’s Eastspring Investments, Malaysia’s Hwang Asia Pacific REITs and Infrastructure Fund, and Canada-based Sentry Global.
The Indian real estate sector has always been perceived by investors across the world as attractive proposition in terms of quality assets across segments. The recent policy changes and reforms have further shaped the perception of global investors on India as these reforms are seen as India’s endeavour to given an image makeover to the real estate business.
Singapore-listed technology park developer Ascendas is close to acquire an IT Special Economic Zone of Shriram Properties in Chennai for about Rs 500 crore, said banking sources close to the development. Ascendas, which owns a string of business parks in India, is said to have pipped competing offers from other global investors Tishmen Speyer, Xander Group and Mapletree, a real estate arm of Temasek.
SEZ was originally conceived on the premises that it will be like an “Island of Excellence” with world class infrastructure available to the user at globally competitive prices. It was aimed to assist both Indian entrepreneurs as well as global investors wanting to set up their manufacturing and services bases inIndia.
Chicago-based Vestian Global Workplace Services, an integrated real estate services provider has announced to invest Rs 1,500 crore in India and China over the next 18 months. The company, which raised the fund from global investors, said about 70 per cent of the proposed investment was earmarked for the Indian market.
The months before the festive season are generally lull for the property market. Indians are mentally wired to buy the high valuables on the auspicious dates during the festivals. However, this seems to be changing in the property market this time around, as economic rationale indicates preference over religious beliefs. The vast majority of the home buyers anticipate price appreciation during the festive season.
While the commercial office sector will dominate Indian REIT listings for the next couple of years, retail and logistics REITs are sure to follow. However, Indian residential REITs remain at best a distant possibility. The draft Model Tenancy Act, 2019 will make rental housing a more attractive investment play – but for Indian residential REITs to succeed as they have in countries like Singapore and the US, rental yields on Indian housing need to significantly surpass the current 1-3%.