Colliers International Reports Positive Global Investor Sentiment With Focused Cross Border Targets

U.S. Identified as Most Attractive Region for Global Real Estate Investment

SEATTLE and LONDON, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 per cent of funds locally with the United States (20 per cent) and Western Europe (19 per cent) providing significant capital. In Latin America, the US provides almost a third of all funding with Western Europe providing just under 15 per cent. Canadians are almost self-sufficient with around 78 per cent 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, whereas Australia, Canada, and New Zealand saw increasing interest in shopping center investments.
• Debt Hurdles: Most Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) markets will continue to struggle with securing debt in 2013, and specialist debt funds pursuing higher returns are expected to see more activity.  Investors in the Asian markets were identified as the most likely to extend debt, while investors in Latin America tended avoid taking on more debt. 

Looking to the future Tony Horrell concludes: "In 2013 we will see more new lenders and mezzanine funds to partially replace the void left by retreating mainstream banks.  And more generally, 2013 will be a year of continued recovery, with investment volumes showing modest growth as investors accept the new norm and sentiment improves."

For more details and to view the full 34-page report, visit http://bit.ly/Y123FK.

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About Colliers International
Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world, with over 12,300 professionals operating out of more than 522 offices in 62 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research. Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News magazines ranked Colliers International the top U.S. real estate company. The latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second-most recognized commercial real estate firm in the world.

SOURCE Colliers International