According to Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific 2008, just published by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The three cities also received high ratings for development potential, reaffirming their status as leading global gateways. ULI, based in Washington, D.C., is a global education and research institute committed to responsible land use; its ULI Asia district council support the institute’sgrowing membership in countries throughout Asia.
The report, provides an overview of Asia Pacific real estate investment and development trends, real estate finance and capital markets, trends by property sector and metropolitan area, and other real estate issues relevant to the countries in Asia.
Twenty markets are taken into account for the report. Emerging Trends is centered on the opinions of internationally renowned real estate professionals. The Asia Pacific version comprises interviews with and surveys of more than 190 professionals, including investors, developers, property company representatives, lenders, brokers and
consultants.
One change amplified in Emerging Trends is the increasing number of individuals and firms in more than one Asia Pacific market, pointing at a progressing comfort level by the business community with functioning in several cities offering diverse conditions.
According to the report there is no doubt that the Asia Pacific property market is still as diverse today as it was a year ago, considering opportunities, risks, capital markets, economics, demographics and business cycles. The fact that more businesses learn and recognize the diversity and variations is clearly another step toward market maturity.
It is anticipated that even greater amounts of capital will be flowing into Asia Pacific real estate markets in 2008. The real barrier for investors to overcome will lie in locating the right assets against the backdrop of yield compression and scrutiny by regional governments and tax authorities. Sentiment was intense among survey participants to either buy or hold all types of properties in Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo, rather than sell properties, demonstrating the cities strong acceptance with the investment community.
Shanghai, which is dominating the list for investment prospects, edged up from its second-place ranking last year. Still, despite its portrayal as an elite city for the real estate industry, some concern was expressed about a growing oversupply of some properties in Shanghai.
The biggest number of buy recommendations in Shanghai arrived at the industrial/distribution sector, 67 percent of the respondents advised buying those properties; at the same time 22 percent advised holding. Fifty two percent recommended buying office space, 35 percent advised holding, and 13 percent, selling. In the retail market, 45 percent of the participants advised buying; 41 percent, holding; and 13 percent, selling. In the apartment residential/rental, 48 percent recommended buying; 35 percent, holding; and 17percent, selling.
As the years go by, Asia Pacific property markets will integrate more completely with the global economy, and, just as significantly, global property capital markets, the report explains. If the quality and quantity of research, business intelligence, and transparency goes ahead, then the atypical puzzles and learning curves of the marketplace will be substituted with maturity. Keeping all these things in mind, emerging trends in real estate investments in Asia in 2008 clearly indicates at a brighter future for the global economy itself.
Gregory Smyth is an independent author providing assessment and comments on leading International Property Consultants in Asia and Greater China, especially CB Richard Ellis.
Article Source: Emerging Trends In Real Estate Investments In Asia For 2008