Asia Pacific Sees Increased Investment Volumes

"We have seen a rapid turnaround in both sentiment and transactional activity as more favorable economic conditions provide support to the investment market," says David Green-Morgan head of Asia Pacific Research at DTZ. "A number of domestic investors have returned to the market seeking to benefit from the current favourable pricing."

In China, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore transaction volumes in US dollar terms increased throughout Q3. And the only major market to see a decline in investment activity was Japan, which had a record breaking Q2 with a number of large deals including one that was worth more than $1.2 billion.

"Activity across the region continues to be driven by mainly private domestic purchasers, although a growing interest from the institutions is emerging," Green-Morgan says. "With debt markets only showing gradual signs of loosening the majority of activity is centered towards lower lots (sub $100m)."

DTZ executives believe the period of market distress is over and investors are now beginning to move forward again now that prices are beginning to stabilize and there is value to be found in prime real estate assets. Investors are still skirting around secondary assets as those prices have yet to stabilize and better deals maybe in store down the line.