| |
| |
|
Real Estate Information |
|
|
Property Investment - What Future For the Biggest Bubble of All Time?
The Economist magazine published a special report in this months issue entitled "House Prices ? After The Fall". Some might call it pessimistic, alarmist, nonsense or worse but only the foolish would choose to ignore the research that comes out of a think-tank with the kind of resources that this highly respected publication has. Though as a caveat I might add that I am living in Ireland, the country that a recent Economist study declared the best place in the world to live and I could find several dozen reasons to dispute this ? but that's another story! What the Economist tells us is nothing that we don't already know. An obsessive interest in property by investors, prompted by low interest rates and a loss of faith in equities, has fuelled a massive 'bubble' in the property market, the largest house price boom ever witnessed. Perhaps what we didn't know is this bubble exceeds by 20%, the global stock market bubble of the 1990's and we all know what happened there! It burst, as all bubbles do when under excess pressure. So what are the predictions for the future and what implications might they have for those considering an investment in property now? Using information gathered from lending institutions, estate agents and national statistics, the Economist has compiled a set of global house prices indices covering 20 countries from 2002 to date. The figures indicate that house prices are seriously over valued in many countries including Spain, Ireland and France, fuelled mainly by speculative demand. America, though heating up a little later is following the same path. Using the current slow down in Australia as an example, and Japan and Germany's negative house price growth, predictions are that with even a flattening off of the market rather than a total collapse, recession is inevitable since people will be far less inclined or unable to release capital on their homes for spending in the economy. So even a 'soft-landing' will cause significant economic pain! In addition, massively inflated prices that are disproportionate to income spells bad news, especially for landlords. In Ireland, for example, rental yields have fallen to below 3%, well below current mortgage rates. Significantly, all the countries in the Economist's house price index are well developed established economies. The report gives no mention to the emerging economies in Central and Eastern Europe. If, as indicated the housing market in Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands is starting to cool, this will have an immediate impact on the property market in these economies as investors chase better returns. Already ?1 billion of Ireland's anticipated ?6 billion of real estate investment funds are expected to flow to countries outside the EU-15. It seems the only option now left for the canny property investor is to play the cat and mouse game, chasing newer markets that are experiencing similar conditions for growth and expansion that led the older 'burnt out' markets to their success. But with this comes the element of risk. Economies are delicate, unpredictable systems that don't always fulfil the expectations of players within them. For those who prefer to shy away from the risks of property investment, preferring to sit it out while the bubble follows its course, there is another option. Chateaux Lafite 2003 will yield creative investors a 13% tax-free rise over 11 months and if the market crashes, you can always drink it! Tracey Meagher is a property advisor and freelance journalist. She maintains and edits the Property Newsdesk and also gives email consultation to those considering buying property abraod.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
European Second Home Prices Wilt in Drought Spain and Portugal have suffered one of their worst droughts on record this summer, with consequences from empty swimming pools for the tourist to economic disaster for farmers losing their crops and livestock.Roger Munns, Managing Director of Tribune Properties, predicts that property prices in the two European countries could drop as much as fifteen per cent in some areas as more owners decide to put their villas and apartments on the market. Investing In Commercial Property Investing in commercial property is well beyond the financial means of most people. Few can afford the large sums of money involved in buying commercial real estate. Real Estate Development Feasibility Study (Income) - $1.2 Billion Developer Tells You How To Do One There are two sides to a feasibility study and in an earlier article I discussed the cost side of the format and:Now Let's Discuss The Income SideWithout the Sales Income, All You've Done Is Spend Money, And Anyone Can Do That.So that we are clear in what I am going to define for you, let me say that there are two forms of Income. How to Negotiate a Successful Short Sale Anyone who has ever profited from doing a short sale has also without a doubt had one or two rejected at some point. Guess what? It is just the nature of the beast?As with all types of sales; you're playing a numbers game. Real Estate Wealth Protection Through Short Sales Is a sharp correction in store for the real estate market?Fannie Mae, the largest buyer of mortgages in the US, is worried. They recently warned that the probability of a housing bust has risen sharply in certain parts of the country. How To Give Yourself A $20,000/Year Raise Without Asking Your Boss Why without asking your boss? Two reasons, one, he or she will most likely say no; and second, he or she will probably have you committed for asking. So what do you do. Miami Property Booming for Foreign Investors Miami tourism is growing and so is the Miami property market. Dubbed the New Manhattan by the US property media. Real Estate Investing Skill Acquisition Real estate investing is not in any list of high school electives. You can't get an accredited degree in real estate investing. The Many Ways To Profit From O.P.P.s Multiple Cash Streams In a previous article we introduced you to the concept of O.P. How to increase the Saleable Value of your Home When selling your home, you'll want to fetch the best price possible for your home yet it so happens in many cases, that buyers give offers that just don't meet your expectations. Of course, you will have to negotiate but you still may not end up getting how much you want. Property Investing - Port Melbourne Life on the Edge Property investing prices pick up following a cooler winter last year. Susannah Petty Reports. Victorian. Modern. Colonial. What's Your Architectural Style? You are attracted to a home for more than its number of bedrooms and square footage. Whether consciously or subconsciously, you are drawn to the individual character of a home. Condo Hotel Trends - A Look at the Big Picture in Vacation Home Ownership Condo hotels are one of the hottest products in today's real estate market. New properties are cropping up in different parts of the country and new buyers are entering the market daily. Real Estate Growth: How Long Will It Last? There has been speculation in the media recently about the fact that real estate will begin to fail and implode as it can only handle so much growth. In my humble opinion these theories don't hold a lot of merit and here is why. Seller Financing - Six Safety Tips Why offer seller financing when you sell? A higher price, a good return on your money, a faster sale and to sell a property that is otherwise difficult to sell. Some good reasons, but how do you do it safely?1. Home Owners: Disclose the Facts! One of the most common causes for disputes occurring after the sale of a home arise from the buyer finding defects in the property, defects which were not disclosed to him by the owner before the sale of the property. If you are the owner of a home that you are looking to sell, please be aware that you may be held liable for not disclosing any known defects in your home. Making a First Impression When Selling Your Home So you've decided to take advantage of the booming real estate market and put your house up for sale. As you know, buying a house is the most important purchase a consumer can make. Advantages and Disadvantages to Selling a House on Your Own As with any business transaction, there are pros and cons to selling your own home. Many people are intimidated by the whole process, but if you know what you are up against, and if you are aware of what needs to be done, you will be more effective at selling on your own, or you will be better at making sure your agent does what you prefer. Reinventing Real Estate, Part 2: Online and Empowered Consumers Are Taking Charge and Paying Less Demanding consumers"Internet buyers tend to be better informed on market conditions and better prepared to act on the home they want when they start working with a realtor. Luckily for realtors, these changes don't necessarily hurt, as long as they are able to adjust to the new relationship and realize that the new-style buyers value speed and efficiency over guidance when finding a home. You Dont Need Health Insurance! Seems almost every situation in our lives is centered on communication. Good or bad, the way we express our thoughts, wants, and needs to each other determines how we live, love, and learn together.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 TIGER MEDIA |
