Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme

Posted on: 9 October 2013
By: mackene
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The Government has launched phase 2 of its Help to Buy scheme, confirming the final scheme rules including the level of the commercial fee the lenders will be charged.

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The Real Estate Gazette

Posted on: 3 October 2013
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DLA Piper has issued the 13 edition of its quarterly publication containing articles and comments on recent legislation and case law affecting every aspect of real estate from around the globe, including investment, finance, tax and corporate/funds issues, as well as planning/zoning, construction and dispute resolution. Highlights of this issue include the overseas expansion of Chinese insurance companies into the real estate market.

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Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Report 2013

Posted on: 2 October 2013
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The Global Real Estates Sustainability Benchmark GRESB has released 2013 Report, which is based on sustainability data gathered from 543 property companies and funds, providing aggregate information on 49,000 properties across the globe.  The report  shows that the real estate sector is significantly reducing its environmental impact, decreasing energy consumption by 4.8 percent over the 2011-2012 period – equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 163,000 homes. Over the same period, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2.5 percent, and water consumption decreased by 1.2 percent.

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Professional competency mapping framework for programme appraisal and benchmarking

Posted on: 2 October 2013
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This research proposes a competency mapping framework (CMF) system for maintaining and improving quality and professional standards of quantity surveying degree programmes accredited by RICS.

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Homes 2013: The future of housing

Posted on: 1 October 2013
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This event, dedicated to asset management, repairs and maintenance, retrofit, sustainability and supply of affordable homes, will take place at the ExCeL, London on 20-21 November 2013. It will provide the opportunity for networking, discovering the latest products, services and technology innovations, and learning from the experience of others. Registration is free.

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Signs of a turning point? What are the best real estate investment opportunities in Europe?

Posted on: 1 October 2013
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The Webcasts channel of Investment & Pensions Europe (IPE.com) is a platform for financial professionals to post topical presentations and live interviews. With fears of a eurozone break-up subsiding and the global outlook improving, Europe’s economies appear set to start growing again in the second half of 2013 before picking up speed in 2014. This is good news for real estate. Investors who have been in risk-off mode chasing secure income in the deep and liquid markets of North Europe are starting to look further afield. But opportunities are more than buying into a recovery. Cities are at different stages of the real estate cycle, low transparency and liquidity remain challenges, at the same time new regulations are changing the investment landscape. This webcast explores which opportunities could offer the most attractive risk-adjusted returns in today’s market.

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The next regeneration: Unlocking local growth

Posted on: 27 September 2013
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In a new report, developed with leading built asset consultants EC Harris, the Confederation of British Industry is calling for strong local leadership to work with businesses and the Government to deliver new homes, modern offices, good transport links and thriving high streets. The report outlines a blueprint for regeneration. Among the measures it calls for are: a one-year business rates holiday for firms moving into empty property; planning changes to make it easier to convert empty shops into homes and for cafés and restaurants to introduce temporary outside seating; and using the public sector balance sheet to kick-start investment in building projects. The report also highlights the need for more joined-up strategic local leadership and more proactive planning allied with early private sector engagement.

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Economic benefit of shopping centres

Posted on: 27 September 2013
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Property company Hammerson has created a forecasting tool to help assess the future impacts of its shopping centre developments, from construction through to opening. The new tool, which can interrogate 50 sets of data, will help the company maximise employment opportunities and other benefits in its schemes. The tool grew out of research by the developer, working with Jones Lang LaSalle and Envoy Group, and quantifies the long-term economic and socio-economic impact of its shopping centres. Data from nine major shopping centres was used in the research, to look at four key areas: Economic value generated by shopping centres; Benefits to local and central government; Economic benefits to wider communities; Impact on quality of life for individuals. The report, Demonstrating the true value of shopping centres and two companion reports on the Bullring and WestQuay, are available on the Hammerson website.

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The green premium

Posted on: 25 September 2013
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How much value do sustainability improvements bring to a property? Elisabeth Jeffries looks at the numbers behind the ‘green wash’.

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The regulation of private sector letting and managing agents (England)

Posted on: 25 September 2013
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This note considers the regulation of private sector letting and managing agents.

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