25 Jun 2025

U.S. existing-home sales saw an unexpected, slight uptick in May, increasing by 0.8% month-on-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.03 million units. However, the pace remains historically slow for this time of year, the weakest May performance since 2009. High mortgage rates, ranging between 6.6% and 6.9%, continue to strain affordability, especially for first-time buyers who only made up 30% of transactions. Inventory rose over 20% from a year ago to 1.54 million homes, while the median price hit a record USD 422,800. Despite more listings, affordability and borrowing costs remain key concerns for buyers and sellers alike.Read more

24 Jun 2025

The World Bank has approved a $1.5 billion loan to South Africa to support key infrastructure and transport upgrades, aimed at driving a shift toward a low-carbon economy and tackling high unemployment. The country's struggling rail, ports, and energy sectors have hurt industries like mining and auto manufacturing. The loan, offering favorable terms and a three-year grace period, is expected to ease debt pressures and foster reforms. With $55 billion allocated for infrastructure through 2026, the government hopes to spur economic growth and improve public services. However, a recent GDP forecast cut to 1.4% signals continued economic challenges ahead.Read more

24 Jun 2025

Sharanam Infraproject and Trading, a supplier of building materials and steel products, has launched a wholly-owned subsidiary in the UAE, marking its entry into global real estate. The company will invest around AED 18 million (INR 42 crore) over nine months to support operations and deal facilitation. The new venture will focus on land arbitrage, buying strategic plots and reselling them to larger developers for profit. This move aligns with Sharanam�s risk-managed global growth strategy. Back in February, the company raised INR 48 crore via a rights issue to fund expansion. The UAE's booming property market, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, underpins this strategic step.Read more

23 Jun 2025

Hong Kong-based New World Development (NWD) has entered an advanced phase of discussions with its creditors to restructure an enormous HKD 87.5 billion (USD 11.1 billion) loan package. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of its debt load among the highest in the region's property sector and follows a recent episode where the company initially flagged a delay in USD 77.2 million in coupon payments on its perpetual bonds. Although the company later paid interest on a senior USD bond, investor nerves remain on edge. Backed by nearly 87% of its targeted lenders, NWD is striving to avert any risk of contagion in Hong Kong's real estate sector.Read more

23 Jun 2025

Goldman Sachs has forecast a long-term decline in China's property market, with annual new home demand expected to fall below 5 million units-far from the 2017 peak of 20 million. The downturn, deepened by stalled projects and heavily indebted developers, has eroded buyer confidence since 2021. Official data shows home prices continued to slide in May, despite repeated policy interventions. Goldman also notes a sharp drop in demand from demolition-driven construction and a potential rise in investment-related home sell-offs. With household wealth tied to real estate dropping from 80% to 70% by 2025 and 80 million flats lying vacant, China's property crisis is reshaping both consumer sentiment and economic fundamentals.Read more

23 Jun 2025

Sweden is set to relax its mortgage lending rules early next year to help first-time homebuyers enter the housing market more easily. Under the proposed changes, buyers will be allowed to borrow up to 90% of a property's value�up from the current 85%. Additionally, the requirement for borrowers with high debt levels to repay 3% of their loan annually will be scrapped. Housing Minister Andreas Carlson emphasized the need to balance affordability with financial stability. The move aims to support young families and first-time buyers amid growing concerns over housing access, without compromising safeguards against excessive household debt or market overheating.Read more

20 Jun 2025

In a surprising summer twist, UK home asking prices fell 0.3% last month, bringing the average to £378,240. The drop, driven by increased listings and keener competition, was most notable in London, the South East, and South West-where prices dipped up to 1.6%. The end of certain stamp duty reliefs and new levies on second homes spurred more coastal listings, particularly in Cornwall and Devon. Though prices remain 0.8% higher than a year ago, supply outpaces demand, encouraging faster deals as sellers price more realistically. Meanwhile, rentals cooled, with tenant registrations down 17% and growth slowing to 1.5% as more renters eye homeownership.Read more

20 Jun 2025

The Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) has launched a five-year strategic plan and Capital Projects Roadmap for 2025-2029, aimed at enhancing liveability, sustainability, and economic resilience across the emirate. Announced during the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit, the plan positions ADPIC to lead the delivery of all government capital projects. Key pillars include digital transformation, sustainability, private sector inclusion, and community-focused development. ADPIC aims to grow private sector participation by 20% annually, fostering investment and innovation. The roadmap reflects Abu Dhabi's long-term vision for global competitiveness and signals a more dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking infrastructure agenda.Read more

20 Jun 2025

Germany has seen a continued rise in residential building permits, pointing to early signs of recovery in its property market after a prolonged slump since 2022. Permits rose 4.9% year-on-year in April, totalling around 18,500 approvals, following a 5.8% increase in March. The cumulative growth from January to April stands at 3.7%. This uptick comes as the government prepares new legislation aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays in the approval process. With economic forecasts now turning slightly positive, the revival in construction activity is seen as a key driver for broader economic recovery efforts.Read more

18 Jun 2025

Pune-based Mont Vert Group has signed a USD 500 million (approx. INR 4,300 crore) agreement with Kazakhstan's Big B Corporation to develop a state-of-the-art medical university and a multi-specialty hospital in Kazakhstan. The announcement took place during SRAM & MRAM Group's 30th anniversary in London. The project is a joint effort involving SRAM & MRAM Group, Big B Corporation, and KAZIND Medical Group, with Mont Vert Group leading the construction. The Kazakh government has already allocated significant land parcels for the project in Astana and Almaty.Read more