I promised to keep track of the headlines and see whether there are more green shoots emerging that may provide proof of property markets finding their way up again. I found quite a few over the past three weeks or so. Many of them are focusing on the UK market, which gives me a clear sign that at least the UK is bottomming out. But that is not the only market with green shoots. See for yourself:
Hammerson gets overwhelming backing for rights issue:
The net proceeds of £584.2 million will be used to reduce net indebtedness and will substantially strengthen the company’s balance sheet.
AEW’s Episo fund shops in London:
This purchase further confirms AEW’s commitment to its strategy of capitalising on the opportunities that currently exist in the critical target market of the UK.
Eaton launches opportunity fund:
…to capitalise on ‘exceptional market conditions’.
Reita finds ‘signs of life’ in UK property market:
the auction rooms are full and there is evidence that prices are rising in 2009. This is probably due to a combination of the better quality of lots and the increasingly attractive yield.
Tzenguiz to buy major City of London office building
Conwert spends EUR 113m to expand holdings in Austria and Germany
Signs that the market may soon pick up:
I am not really saying it will be over by Christmas; but it is probably not going to be as long and as dreadful as everybody thinks.
Lebanese buy in West End London at 7,5% net initial:
The current market situation means that Times Place represents good value now and, moreover, has the potential to deliver significant value over the long term. Opportunities to invest in properties such as Times Place are relatively rare []
Catalyst Capital has closed its first dedicated European fund of 228,5 m:
Investment is now focused on cash flow and is as attractive as we have seen in twenty years.
Retail yields drop to 5.9% at Allsop auction:
The hunt for quality is stronger than it has ever been.
It was all private money on the day. It really shows just how much cash is out there, and also how people are just not getting any returns by keeping their money in the bank.
Fewer vacant shops in London:
London is showing surprising resilience owing to overseas visitors exploiting the weakness of the pound.
Property investor confidence improves says Jones Lang LaSalle
respondents are not expecting the market to get any worse.
Sir Stelios plans return to property:
…in the expectation that the sector is nearing the bottom of its two-year slump.
Signs of life in California real estate
Sales volume is increasing, investors are returning and inventory is shrinking.
The sense is if the problems can be addressed there, the rest of the country will follow.
It is the first major lender to allocate sizeable sums to this end of the market for more than a year.
Housebuilders rise on Goldman note
[Goldman Sachs] could see some green shoots in the embattled sector.
On A Peppercorn 