Real Estate

For many years, one of the greatest challenges Egypt has faced has been providing housing for its growing, youthful population. Indeed, the lack of decent housing for those in the lower- to middle-income bracket is thought to have been one of the triggers of last year’s revolution. The newly installed government, headed by Mohammad Morsy, is likely to make the housing shortfall a priority.

With the aim of maintaining real estate prices at a reasonable level and to rein in any property speculation, the government is considering the use of tighter fiscal policies that have met with a mixed response from industry players.

En la medida en que los niveles de ingresos continúan en alza, más y más colombianos pasan a formar parte de la categoría de aspirantes a propietarios. De hecho, la demanda actual de vivienda supera con creces la tasa de construcción. En 2011 se construyeron aproximadamente 135.000 viviendas, mientras la demanda excedía las 200.000.

The real estate sector is set for a boost after new legislation allowing banks to offer mortgage products to home buyers was given final approval, a move that should encourage many young Saudis to shift from renting to ownership. It may take time, however, for both banks and customers to acclimatise themselves to the conditions of the Kingdom’s new property market.

The property market is expecting increased sales this year, as a combination of rising private investment and the growing palm oil industry aid expansion in Sabah’s real estate sector. However, industry players say bank regulations introduced in 2011 are slowing some buying activities.

A new investment stream is set to pour into Thailand’s property sector with the upcoming release of real estate investment trusts (REITs), bringing the country into line with many of its regional neighbours. Details are still unclear, however, on when exactly investors will be able to take advantage of the new tool.