Colliers International: Positive global investor sentiment with focused cross-border targets

The most desirable region for heightened global investment in real estate in the coming year will be the United States, followed by Asia and Western Europe, in particular London, Paris and several of the major cities in Germany; according to the results of the Global Investor Sentiment Survey just published by Colliers International.

The survey respondents included major institutional and private investors representing a broad cross section of property investors globally, who were asked for their outlook at the global and regional level for the coming 12 months and beyond.

With nearly 500 responses from the most active real estate investors from the US, Canada, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East; the results highlight a number of key indicators suggesting improved investor sentiment, such as ambitious expansion plans through 2013 and migration of funds for offshore investment opportunities. A lack of quality stock and availability of finance are the primary obstacles to expansion plans.

Highlighting the most noticeable trend this year Tony Horrell, CEO, U.K. and Ireland, Colliers International said, "Major investors are becoming more critical when selecting their investment locations. This is supported by the overarching themes we found when asking respondents about their investment strategies – they are more likely to look at home locations first, and when they do look at international opportunities, they are far more specific about the individual markets and sectors in which they are interested.

Horrell added: "The survey also found that the availability and price of debt finance will remain an issue in a number of territories, particularly in EMEA, as stringent lending requirements endure and LTVs remain low. This is opening the door for new lenders, in the form of insurance companies, and the resurgence in the provision of mezzanine finance.

"As a result, we anticipate more activity from specialist debt funds seeking higher returns than those available from core direct real estate investment."

Key takeaways from Colliers' 2013 Sentiment survey include:
• Continued Recovery: Investment volumes are expected to grow slowly and steadily in Western markets through 2013, and core investment opportunities will become more difficult to find as investors hone in on just a few key locations.

• Home or Away: Asian, EMEA and Latin American investors were the most likely to access funds from outside their regions. Asian investors sourced just 40% of funds locally with the United States (20%) and Western Europe (19%) providing significant capital. In Latin America, the US provides almost a third of all funding with Western Europe providing just under 15%. Canadians are almost self-sufficient with around 78% of investment funded locally.

• Safe Haven Destinations: Investors consistently chase properties in the same, "safe" markets including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and New York. London and New York are the only two markets identified as key investment areas by investors from other regions. Investors will continue to target these markets through 2013, while monitoring the effects of the U.S. election result and continuing problems in the Eurozone.

• Local vs. Offshore: Though many investors prefer to invest in their local markets, there are those (approximately 25%) that are taking their real estate ventures overseas. Investors who look offshore tend to favour Western Europe. In addition, some Asian investors are likely to explore property opportunities closer to home in Australia and New Zealand.

• Risky Business: Wealth preservation and secure income are still a priority for the majority of investors. However, in the next six months, investors in the U.S., Asia and Latin America are the mostly likely to take on more risk.

• Sector Preference: Investors have shown a strong preference for the office sector from a global standpoint. In the U.S. and Latin America, the industrial sector ranked highest,

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