PETALING JAYA:  SSTwo, a retail development owned by Pramerica Real Estate Investors (Asia) Pte Ltd under Asian Retail Mall Fund (ARMF), is aiming to open the mall by mid  next year, its leasing agent and retail mall manager DTZ Nawawi Tie Leung Property Consultants Sdn Bhd said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The global economic slowdown slammed hard into Vietnam’s burgeoning economy. However, a strong and steady upward surge is being seen as the country fights its way out of the recessionary drag. The office sector is seen to be active with numerous transactions, thanks to lower rents and new office supply.

NEW YORK: Worldwide, economies are reportedly on the mend, with some said to be turning around more convincingly than the rest. The subprime property debacle in the US has knocked values and yields off real estate across the globe. Of late, however, a return in confidence in the property sector has been felt.

PETALING JAYA: What kind of landed home can you get for RM300,000? And just as important, will its location be good?

In Plentong, at the outskirts of Johor Baru, one can own a brand new 1-storey semi-detached house for just RM300,000 or less, says those familiar with the market.

It is common to read about foreign developers investing in popular locations such as the Klang Valley, Johor and Penang, given the more vibrant business environment and investment opportunities there. However, Singaporean developer Hatten Group Sdn Bhd is proving that taking the route less travelled can be rewarding.

Auction sales are on the rise as market sentiment in London continues to improve.This year saw a return of popularity for auctions after a period of relative inactivity in 2008.

Some of the savviest property investors in Singapore seem to come from the medical profession. A classic example is Mrs Chua, a 62-year-old retired nurse turned entrepreneur who owns a holistic spa. Together with Mr Chua, who’s also in the medical profession, they snapped up two units at The Trizon in a private preview two weekends ago on the recommendation of their Knight Frank agent.

The investment climate of late has thawed somewhat since the cold snap that saw economies contracting and nations scrambling to avoid sliding into recession.

In line with the general improvement in the economy and pickup in consumer confidence in recent months, several auctioneers in the Klang Valley are reporting that auction property sales have been edging up since June.Licensed auctioneer Zaarif Zainal of First Auction House Sdn Bhd says sales have increased about 20% starting in June as he managed to sell 18 units priced below RM200,000 in two a

Real estate investment trusts or REITs are nothing more than real property investments to investors like you and me who leave the administration of the assets, the maintenance of the buildings, the collection of rent and the enhancement of real estate to increase its value to the professionals. We also allow a trustee to own the real estate on our behalf.