KUALA LUMPUR: There is limited information on how Malaysian buildings can withstand the effects of seismic tremors from earthquakes, according to Boon Che Wee, President of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM).

KUALA LUMPUR: The UK, Germany and France continue to drive commercial real estate activity in Europe, accounting for over 70% of activity in 3Q2009, said Magali Marton, head of DTZ Continental Europe and Middle East (CEME) Research.

KUALA LUMPUR: As economic conditions continue to grow more favourable, a rapid turnaround in sentiment and transactional activity can be seen. This has resulted in the return of domestic investors to the market to take advantage of the favourable pricing, said David Green-Morgan, head of Asia-Pacific research, DTZ.

KUALA LUMPUR: China Real Estate Information Corp, the country’s largest provider of real estate information and consultation services based on revenue is looking to raise up to US$200 million in a US-listed initial public offering (IPO).

SINGAPORE: Private home prices here surged 15.9% in 3Q from the previous quarter, the biggest jump this decade, government data showed on Oct 1, highlighting fears about a property market bubble, according to Reuters.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Johor Branch of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) will be hosting a real estate convention outside Kuala Lumpur for the benefit of its members who do not reside in the Klang Valley or Selangor.

Set to be held on Oct 31 and Nov 1, 2009, the theme of the convention is “Iskandar Malaysia – The Rise of A New Metropolis”.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway City (Ipoh) Sdn Bhd is expected to open the doors of its exclusive five-star Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Tambun, Perak by year-end, according to Sunway City Bhd senior general manager Ong Pang Yen.

KUALA LUMPUR: State-owned Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), the promoter and coordinator of the Iskandar Malaysia growth region in Johor, will call for bids for some RM2 billion worth of construction jobs within the enclave next year and rope in more local and foreign partners to undertake more initiatives.IIB president and CEO Arlida Ariff said the RM2 billion worth of jobs to be awarded in 2010

PETALING JAYA: Johor-based developer, Daiman Development Bhd, has no immediate plan to redevelop the property it recently acquired in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur and would keep it for recurring income.

KUALA LUMPUR: Development land values in the United Kingdom is around 20% down year-on-year (y-o-y) while urban sites are at almost 50% below peak levels despite a marginal increase in two quarters in a row, reported Knight Frank in its Residential Development Land Index, Q3 2009.