Buy-to-let investors are returning to the market in considerable numbers which is having a knock-on impact to potential first-time buyers. Research by property investment firm Assetz reveals that buy-to-let investors with large cash deposits are outmuscling first time buyers. A big reason for this is that risk-averse lenders demanding big deposits are being drawn back to the sector and away from the high loan-to-values required  [ Read More ]

The housing market has ground to a halt because overly optimistic sellers are locked in a stand-off with cautious buyers struggling to get a mortgage. This month, estate agents reported the biggest jump in unsold properties since May 2007 ? with agents having an average of 74 properties each, up from 70 last month. Yet sellers have increased asking prices on average by 1.7%, or ?4,032, in April alone, according  [ Read More ]

The first quarter (Q1) of 2011 saw European commercial real estate transactions hit €26.7 billion as the investment market builds further momentum, according to the latest data by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). The Q1 2011 activity constitutes a 26% increase in investment turnover compared to the same period last year and is a higher quarterly total than any of the first three quarters of 2010. The Q1 2011 activity did  [ Read More ]

Rents for prime office premises in Europe is expected to stabilize this year, according to a new report by Colliers International. European office centers such as Berlin, London, Stockholm and Warsaw will reflect the best results in terms of wage growth in the segment. “Based on expectations of robust economic growth we expect prime rents are generally stable in most of the 25 centers (market) in 2011,” commented the company.  [ Read More ]