Rewritten:This year’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate Global Outlook report, published on March 12 by PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), revealed that low yields and sluggish transaction volumes were top concerns for property investors in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region.
The report gathered insights from global asset managers, including Blackstone from the US, Savills Investment Management from the UK, and CBRE Investment Management. According to survey responses, over 70% of investors identified low yields, persistently high interest rates, and geopolitical tensions as their main concerns.
When deliberating on investing in a condo, it is crucial to also evaluate the potential rental yield. Rental yield refers to the annual rental income as a percentage of the condo’s purchase price. In the dynamic real estate market of Singapore, rental yields for condos can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, property condition, and market demand. Generally, areas with high rental demand, such as those in close proximity to business districts or educational institutions, offer more favorable rental yields. By conducting thorough market research and seeking guidance from real estate agents, one can gain valuable insights into the rental potential of a specific condo. It is essential to take into consideration that rental yields are an essential aspect of condo investments.
Despite these challenges, the report notes that industry leaders still view Asia Pacific as an attractive diversification strategy, thanks to its growing population and other demographic factors, as well as its differing monetary policies, such as Japan’s decision to increase short-term interest rates.
Last year, real estate transactions in the region saw a 13% year-on-year growth, reaching US$173.5 billion (SGD $231.3 billion). This outpaced the growth in other regions, such as Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at 12%, and the Americas at 11%.
However, as Europe and North America enter a new capital markets cycle with expected improvements in transaction volumes, Apac is predicted to experience sluggish growth. The region’s liquidity was impacted last year by a drop in transaction volume. In China, transactions decreased by 25% year-on-year to US$418.3 billion (SGD $557.6 billion), while Hong Kong SAR saw a 1% dip to US$15.7 billion (SGD $20.9 billion).
Compared to the concerns in Apac, investors in Europe are focused on different issues. The top three concerns in the region, according to asset managers, were international political instability (85%), an escalation of war (83%), and Europe’s economic growth (77%).
Data from leading US-based research and data analytics company MSCI also indicate that commercial property prices in the US stabilized last year, ending the year with only a 0.7% decrease. As a result, investors may shift their attention and capital towards these regions in the coming months.
The report also highlighted that data center assets scored the highest investment and development prospects across all three regions in 2025. According to New York-based research firm Green Street, the demand for data centers globally reached record levels last year, with rents increasing at a double-digit pace. MSCI’s latest research also projects 2024 as a significant year for this asset class, with an increase of over 60% in US acquisitions of existing data centers through single property and portfolio deals.
In September of last year, Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP) acquired data center company AirTrunk from Macquarie Asset Management and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board for over US$16 billion (SGD $21.3 billion). This deal was the largest commercial real estate transaction recorded in Asia Pacific and globally for 2024.
In conclusion, despite challenges, the Asia Pacific region remains attractive for diversification among property investors, while data center assets are expected to have strong prospects for investment and development in the coming years.…