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Finance

Asian cities dominate GFCI 29

New York, London, and Shanghai maintain the top 3 spots followed by Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, and Shenzhen The world’s financial systems are starting to stabilise with vaccines being rolled out on a daily basis and things are going back to normal. The pandemic had a significant impact on financial markets and this is reflected in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) where Asian cities dominated the rankings. Of the top 10 financial centres, only Frankfurt’s rating improved by 12 points, while the other hubs dipped in ratings. Overall, the index scores are lower compared to 2019, but the average

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Hong Kong News

JLL: APAC commercial property transaction volumes to improve by 15-20% in 2021

The pandemic accelerated industry trends and revealed an exciting ‘opportunity in obsolescence’ in Asia’s commercial property sector As we enter the second year since the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc in the world, we are now starting to see some positive light. Outlook for commercial property in Asia is improving as industries stabilise and growth areas prop up demand for office spaces. Traditional sectors like finance and service were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, but this may not be fully attributed to the virus. Talking to Bloomberg Markets Asia, JLL APAC CEO Anthony Couse said that the pandemic only accelerated

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News

Why Penang still tops the Malaysian holiday home market

Next to Kuala Lumpur, Penang is probably the most highly urbanized island in all of Malaysia. It is home to more than 1.7 million Malaysians who enjoy high standards of living but with considerably minimal costs than that of KL. Although a haven of development, Penang still houses the charm of the old-world – breathtaking coastlines, lush greenery, nature parks, wild animals, to name a few. This is primarily the reason why both foreign nationals and locals are drawn to getting their prized properties in the region. Realty developments in Penang are mostly centred in its capital city, Georgetown. The

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News

Trump scrubbed out of Indonesian leisure project

The trajectory of Donald Trump’s plans to establish The Trump Organization’s presence in Indonesia has taken an unexpected turn, encountering various obstacles along the way. Overview of the Project: Originally envisioned as a sprawling Rp35tn (S$3.2bn) leisure complex, the project aimed to introduce an array of residential homes, country clubs, and leisure resorts to Southeast Asia. In collaboration with Indonesia’s MNC Group, it aspired to create “the first integrated Trump Resort and Residencies in Asia.” Initial Enthusiasm: The initial stages of the project were marked by enthusiasm, with Donald Trump Jr. gracing a pre-launch event in August 2019. The event

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News

When does the stamp duty holiday end? See how it works for second homes and buy-to-let properties

Second-home buyers and buy-to-let investors will potentially save thousands of pounds due to the stamp duty holiday. All property buyers benefit from the tax break announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the summer of 2020, which was recently extended and tapered until September 2021. This means that those buying additional properties, such as a second home or as an investment, only pay the tax at a rate of three percentage points on the first £500,000 of a property’s price. Outside the holiday, these buyers would pay this surcharge on the first £125,000, after that they were charged 5pc on the

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Finance

Britain’s booming property market sees 13 buyers for every home sold

Agreed sales last month were up 57% compared to April 2019 Many estate agents are now immediately asking prospective buyers for their ‘best and final offer’ to prevent gazumping Experts said the industry is working around the clock and buyers are resorting to extreme measures to secure a home The surge in demand is largely due to ultra-low interest rates and stamp duty relief for homes under £500,000 Britain’s booming property market is producing record sales figures, with an average of 13 buyers for every home listed. Agreed sales last month were up 57% compared to April 2019, with many

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News

Insight into the Surging Buyer Demand and Rising House Prices in the UK Property Market

In recent times, the UK property market has witnessed a remarkable surge in buyer demand, driving average house prices to their highest levels since 2007. Let’s delve into the dynamics shaping this unprecedented phenomenon. Rapid Surge in Buyer Demand: Buyer demand across Great Britain has surged by an impressive 52% in April 2021 compared to April 2019, mirroring a similar trend in London with a notable increase of 48%. This surge in demand is indicative of a strong rebound in the property market, signifying renewed confidence among buyers despite uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. Impressive Growth in House Prices:

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News

Exciting developments buoy London’s property market

The extension of the temporary tax break has reinvigorated the UK housing market. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) recorded a jump in UK homebuyers–the highest since September. Although the latest House Price Index reflected a dip in March, property analysts attribute the slowdown to the original 31 March deadline of the stamp duty holiday. Fortunately, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has since extended the tax break until 30 June and activity indicators have since reflected a rebound. Lockdown-weary Brits are taking this opportunity to find bigger, greener spaces for a better quality of life. As a result, demand is exceeding supply

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News

Slowdown in UK house prices likely a ‘short lull’

Annual price growth slowed to 5.7% in March compared to 6.9% in February in what analysts partly attribute to the original due date of the stamp duty holiday which since been extended Earlier this year, there were reports that the UK housing market had lost its momentum. In March, it was confirmed by official figures that showed, for the first time in nine months, the housing prices had fallen in January. As indicated by the latest House Price Index by Nationwide, in the UK, the annual house price growth was 6.9% in February and had slowed down to 5.7% in

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News

The London Resort planning application proceeds to examination phase

The ambitious London Resort project, envisioned as a world-class entertainment destination, celebrates a significant achievement as it successfully progresses through the rigorous Planning Inspectorate application process. This milestone marks a pivotal step forward in the realization of a project poised to transform the landscape of leisure and tourism in the UK. As the first entirely commercial Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) of its kind, the London Resort holds the promise of unleashing substantial economic benefits, with forecasts projecting a staggering £50 billion in gross economic activity (GVA) over its initial 25-year period. Moreover, the project is anticipated to catalyze the

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