12 Feb 2025

Dubai's real estate sector maintained its upward trajectory in the opening month of 2025, recording 13,019 sales transactions amounting to AED 35 billion. This represents a 5% month-over-month (MoM) increase from December 2024, demonstrating the market's resilience and investor confidence. Off-plan properties dominated sales, contributing 56% of the total transactions, with developers such as Emaar, Sobha, and Danube leading in sales value. The average price per square foot stood at AED 1,484, reflecting a minor 0.57% correction from the previous month. Buyer demand surged, evidenced by a 56% MoM increase in leads, with mortgage-financed purchases playing a pivotal role. Popular apartment communities included Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina, while Dubailand, Arabian Ranches, and Damac Hills 2 led villa sales. The strong momentum suggests a promising year ahead for Dubai's property sector.Read more

12 Feb 2025

The latest Portuguese Housing Market Survey by RICS and Confidencial Imobiliario has highlighted robust growth in property prices and transaction volumes in Portugal towards the end of last year. The survey reported an 11% year-on-year increase in property prices and a 27% surge in sales, driven by strong demand and declining interest rates. Kronos Homes, a key player in the Algarve region, has observed significant interest from both investors and homebuyers. The company is investing over EUR 200 million in luxury residences at Vale do Lobo. Additionally, the market is benefiting from Portugal's economic resilience, supported by a thriving tourism sector and strong domestic demand. Forecasts indicate continued positive trends for both sales and price expectations in the coming months.Read more

11 Feb 2025

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market showed signs of recovery in January 2025, with home sales rising 10% from December, reaching 5,971 units. However, sales were still 10.7% lower year-over-year. New listings surged 26% month-over-month and nearly 49% annually, providing buyers with more options. Prices remained stable, with the TRREB home price index at CAD 1.089 million, a 0.7% increase from January 2024. The Bank of Canada's interest rate cut to 3% is expected to boost buyer activity. TRREB forecasts a 12.4% rise in home sales in 2025, though economic uncertainties could impact the pace of recovery.Read more

07 Feb 2025

Office building sales in Europe fell to EUR 42.4 billion in 2024, the lowest since 2009, marking a 10% annual drop. Despite signs of recovery in commercial real estate, high borrowing costs and remote work trends continue to challenge office demand. Landmark properties like London's CityPoint struggle to find buyers, with only eco-friendly offices attracting interest. Meanwhile, overall commercial property sales rose 4% to EUR 188.8 billion, driven by industrial, residential, and hotel investments. As investors shift focus away from offices, the sector faces an uncertain future amid evolving work and financial market conditions.Read more

07 Feb 2025

Blackstone is negotiating to acquire a stake in the 50-story office building at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, owned partly by institutional investors advised by JPMorgan Asset Management and Fisher Brothers. The potential deal comes as Blackstone executives signal confidence in a commercial real estate recovery amid stabilizing interest rates and return-to-office policies by major firms. In 2023, law firm Paul, Weiss leased 765,000 sq ft in the building, highlighting sustained demand for prime office spaces. With a USD 315.4 billion real estate portfolio, Blackstone's move signals strategic expansion in Manhattan's evolving office market.Read more

07 Feb 2025

Dubai's real estate sector started 2025 on a strong note, registering AED 44.4 billion in property sales in January, marking a 24.1% increase in value compared to the same period last year. The market recorded 14,236 transactions, reflecting a 23.2% rise in volume. Land sales witnessed the most significant surge, with 811 plots sold for AED 8.6 billion. Villa sales amounted to AED 16.4 billion, increasing by 89.6% in volume, while apartment sales reached AED 18.2 billion, showing a 7.1% rise. Commercial property transactions also saw an uptick of 17.9%, totalling AED 1.2 billion. The data highlights Dubai's growing appeal as a prime real estate investment destination.Read more

06 Feb 2025

Brookfield Asset Management has completed two major real estate investments in Japan, amounting to USD 1.6 billion. The acquisitions include a stake in Tokyo's iconic Gajoen complex, a mixed-use development featuring office spaces, retail outlets, and a luxury hotel as well as a 1 million square foot site near Nagoya, set to be transformed into a logistics warehouse. The move reflects growing foreign investment in Japanese real estate, driven by the yen's depreciation and accessible financing. While Gajoen is owned by China Investment Corp (CIC), Brookfield has not disclosed the extent of its stake in the property.Read more

06 Feb 2025

Betterhomes' FY2024 Dubai Real Estate Market Report highlights significant shifts in the city's residential real estate market. Supply was limited to approximately 27,000 units in 2024 due to project delays, but 2025 is set to witness a 171% increase, with 72,365 units expected to be completed. The market saw a surge in off-plan projects, with over 470 launched throughout the year. Key areas such as JVC, MBR City, and Business Bay remained in high demand. The market is projected to stabilise by 2026 as new units are absorbed. Q4 2024 saw notable completions like Binghatti Onyx and Nara at The Valley.Read more

05 Feb 2025

AT&T has secured USD 850 million by selling 74 underused central office properties to Reign Capital in a sale-leaseback deal. The telecom giant will lease back only necessary space, aligning with its transition away from legacy copper networks, set to phase out by 2029. The move unlocks capital while maintaining service continuity. AT&T's stock rose 0.7% following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence. Funds from the deal will support fiber and 5G expansion, enhancing efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. This restructuring reinforces AT&T's push towards next-generation connectivity while streamlining real estate assets for long-term financial and operational growth.Read more

05 Feb 2025

Dubai's real estate market set new benchmarks in 2024, with total sales transactions reaching 168,405 and a record AED 423.36 billion in transaction value. This marked a 30% increase in value and a 40% rise in transaction volume, demonstrating strong investor confidence. The off-plan market dominated with 63% of total transactions, while the secondary market also showed steady growth. Luxury real estate thrived, with a 63% rise in high-value transactions and record-breaking property resales. As Dubai looks ahead to 2025, the market is expected to stabilise, supported by population growth, new residential units, and the launch of the Smart Rental Index.Read more