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We expect interest rate cuts in the US to push prices up further in the residential segment. In Japan, land prices advanced 0.4% y-o-y in 2007, an indication that the Japanese residential property market is recovering from its 15-year price slump.Moving forward, we expect the Asia’s residential market to sustain growth, albeit in the long term, underpinned by the following factors:
> Strong economic growth in most markets in Asia will support the strong performance in the residential segments.
> Rising income per capita will enhance purchasing power and therefore boost consumer spending. High economic growth, improved employment levels and positive wealth effects arising from equities in most parts of Asia Pacific have led to higher disposable incomes.
Average per capita income for the region rose to US$14,371 in 2006 from US$12,906 in 2004. Per capita income is expected to average US$15,217 in 2007 and US$15,886 in 2008 that in turn, will boost demand for residential properties.
> In most Asian markets (China, India, Singapore, Malaysia) the high-end residential property market has witnessed increased demand spurred by the influx of expatriates and skilled professionals, the region's increasing attractiveness as a second home (retirement) and higher rental yields.
> The demographic profile of Asia is relatively young. Asia’s young population (aged 15 to 59) continues to increase, creating strong demand for housing for ownership occupation and rental increases. India’s population is expected to increase from 1.1 billion to almost 1.5 billion by 2025. In 2006, the working age group of those aged between 15-64 years stood at 64.3% and expects to increase moving forward.The Asian real estate market capitalisation stands at approximately US$4.9tril, mainly dominated by Japan followed by China and the rest of Asia. We expect this ratio to alter moving forward with strong growth in Asian markets. Apart from Japan, real estate activities are focused in Singapore and China.A common practice that is picking up in the region is the number of sale and leaseback transactions particularly in Singapore and Japan. We expect this trend to spread across the region over the medium term.
> Strong economic growth in most markets in Asia will support the strong performance in the residential segments.
> Rising income per capita will enhance purchasing power and therefore boost consumer spending. High economic growth, improved employment levels and positive wealth effects arising from equities in most parts of Asia Pacific have led to higher disposable incomes.
Average per capita income for the region rose to US$14,371 in 2006 from US$12,906 in 2004. Per capita income is expected to average US$15,217 in 2007 and US$15,886 in 2008 that in turn, will boost demand for residential properties.
> In most Asian markets (China, India, Singapore, Malaysia) the high-end residential property market has witnessed increased demand spurred by the influx of expatriates and skilled professionals, the region's increasing attractiveness as a second home (retirement) and higher rental yields.
> The demographic profile of Asia is relatively young. Asia’s young population (aged 15 to 59) continues to increase, creating strong demand for housing for ownership occupation and rental increases. India’s population is expected to increase from 1.1 billion to almost 1.5 billion by 2025. In 2006, the working age group of those aged between 15-64 years stood at 64.3% and expects to increase moving forward.The Asian real estate market capitalisation stands at approximately US$4.9tril, mainly dominated by Japan followed by China and the rest of Asia. We expect this ratio to alter moving forward with strong growth in Asian markets. Apart from Japan, real estate activities are focused in Singapore and China.A common practice that is picking up in the region is the number of sale and leaseback transactions particularly in Singapore and Japan. We expect this trend to spread across the region over the medium term.
(The Star 5-4-2008)
