Pick of the Bunch: W/E 7th March 2025
GKR International - Real Estate Talent Specialists
global property recruitment specialists / career advisors / love coffee, cakes & phone calls so call us on 0207 048 3304
This week, we're thrilled to bring you the latest on exciting partnership positions and exclusive opportunities, including insights from Michael Woda's recent move from London to Scotland. Stay tuned for valuable trends, emerging recruitment strategies, and insights that will help you navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape. Our mission is to provide you with the tools and knowledge to stay ahead in this amazing industry.
Residential Real Estate
Property values in Brussels are nearing their pre-pandemic levels as the residential real estate market shows signs of stabilisation, according to the annual report from the Real Estate Commission of the Union of Surveyors of Brussels (Ugeb). While location and build quality remain key factors, energy performance is playing an increasingly important role in determining value, particularly as buyers consider the costs of shared improvement works like roof and fa?ade insulation. In 2024, apartment prices fell for the first time in a decade, dropping 5% in private sales and 1-2% in public auctions, while house prices declined by 5.5%, returning to 2020 levels after previous growth. Rental buildings have remained relatively stable, but with stricter rent indexation rules on poorly rated EPC properties since 2022, the focus on energy efficiency continues to grow across the market.
Sydney's prime residential market is forecast to grow by 4% to 5.9% in 2025, according to 第一太平戴维斯 World Research, driven largely by a continued lack of supply rather than new developments. With sustained demand from both domestic and international buyers, alongside a relatively weaker currency, competition for luxury properties is expected to keep prices climbing. Globally, prime residential markets are predicted to remain resilient despite political and economic shifts, with Dubai, Sydney, and Madrid leading growth across Savills' World Cities Index. While cities like Hong Kong and Singapore anticipate slight declines or stability, Sydney's limited availability of high-end homes positions it for another strong year.
Residential property sales and rental prices in the UK’s ‘Big Six’ cities—Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Glasgow—remained steady in 2024 despite economic and political uncertainty, according to 仲量联行 . Sales saw modest annual price growth of 2.1%, while rental growth slowed to 4.2%, down from previous double-digit highs. Birmingham led rental growth with a 9.5% increase, followed by Edinburgh at 6.9%. Lower-priced cities like Glasgow and Birmingham saw stronger price increases, while Manchester saw rents plateau after significant gains in recent years. Despite higher mortgage rates affecting buyers' budgets, sustained demand for city-centre living has kept the markets resilient, with strong demand in the build-to-rent sector forecasted to drive 20.5% rental growth over the next five years.
Property Management
The UK Government is moving forward with a significant property ownership reform program, set to abolish the leasehold system for flats and promote commonhold as the new standard tenure in England and Wales. Under the Leasehold and Freehold Act, leasehold for new houses was abolished in May 2024. The Act also includes measures to simplify management for existing leaseholders, with these provisions taking effect from 3 March 2025. Currently, over 70% of leasehold properties in England are flats, which amounts to 4.8 million homes, making up 19% of the nation's housing stock. In Wales, leasehold homes represent around 16% of properties, accounting for 12% of property transactions.
Homes for Students has expanded into continental Europe with the launch of Orla Living , a pan-European operator focused on purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and flexible living. The new brand aims to create stylish, community-centered spaces for students and young professionals, offering a blend of smart design and vibrant social experiences. Orla Living is committed to establishing a broader residential living platform across Europe, initially targeting Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the Nordics. With nearly 60,000 units under management, Orla Living combines its extensive infrastructure, market insight, and service excellence to drive efficiencies, optimize investor returns, and meet growing demand in the European living sector.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Georgia Capital have partnered to create Laseter, a new build-to-rent (BTR) company targeting the growing Southeast US market. The venture aims to address the need for additional housing by combining home building with capital, focusing on the "missing middle" for attainable monthly payments. Laseter will collaborate with external partners for development and provide third-party contracting services to other BTR developers. The initiative is driven by demographic shifts and job growth in the Sunbelt. The first two developments will be in Nashville (165 homes) and Atlanta (126 homes). Despite a recent softening in the BTR market, experts remain optimistic, citing rate cuts and consumer affordability concerns as factors that will sustain demand and innovation.
Featured Employer:
JCLIVING has partnered exclusively with GKR International - Real Estate Talent Specialists to support their next phase of growth with multiple key hires across their business. With an impressive portfolio and ambitious plans for the future, JC Living is building a team that shares their passion for creating amazing living experiences.
Contact Rose Lock to discuss this eciting Property Management opportunity!
Contact: Rose Lock, Emma Bradshaw
Business Support
MIPIM 2025 will return to Cannes, France, from March 11-14, 2025, where it will bring together over 20,000 delegates from 90 countries, including mayors, investors, and sovereign wealth funds managing more than €4 trillion in assets. This global real estate event serves as a hub for real estate professionals to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and drive investment, particularly in response to ongoing transformations in the sector driven by shifting demographics, geopolitical changes, sustainability demands, and technological advancements.
Lofty has launched its AI-powered tool, Lofty AI Copilot, designed to help real estate professionals streamline daily operations and maximize productivity. With three specialised AI workers—Navigator, Copywriter, and TechXpert—it helps agents prioritize high-value tasks, automate content creation, and provide technical support. By working 24/7, Lofty AI Copilot optimizes decision-making and task management, allowing agents to focus on high-impact activities that drive appointments and transactions. This innovation is part of Lofty's broader effort to enhance efficiency and business growth through AI integration in real estate workflows.
Featured Employer:
Contact: Anuradha Deb
Have you ever hired someone without experience in real estate? ??
At GKR, we believe in the power of passion and potential! While experience is undeniably valuable, the drive, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn often outweigh years on the job. Our team embraces diverse backgrounds, understanding that fresh perspectives can bring innovation to the table. Whether you're starting from scratch or transitioning into real estate, it's the passion that drives success. Get in touch to talk to our team!
Built Environment
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission are joining forces to launch a pan-European investment platform focused on affordable and sustainable housing. This initiative, unveiled at the EIB Forum, aims to address the growing need for affordable housing in Europe by providing finance and advice to support innovation in construction, energy efficiency, and housing renovations. With a €10 billion investment planned over the next two years, the EIB Action Plan will help deliver 1.5 million new or renovated housing units. The initiative will include a one-stop-shop housing portal and partnerships with national promotional banks and international financial institutions, fostering collaboration across public and private sectors to tackle the housing crisis and promote sustainable development.
Hamburg-based residential real estate technology platform Reneo has secured €600 million to date from a range of investors, including Eurazeo , Lakestar , and Foundamental , to improve the energy efficiency of Germany’s ageing housing stock, much of which holds an EPC rating of E or lower. With Germany’s residential market primed for transformation, Reneo is targeting the "brown-to-green" opportunity, using its end-to-end technology platform to identify and deliver cost-effective retrofitting solutions that can cut energy consumption by 30%-60%. Alongside a new €500 million joint venture with Peakside Capital to refurbish multi-family buildings and create additional living space, Reneo aims to drive both climate impact and economic value, supported by existing financing from Goldman Sachs. Since 2020, Reneo has transacted over €500 million in assets and continues to scale rapidly, with €200 million invested in 2024 alone.
The student accommodation sector in Australia is experiencing significant growth, with universities and investors alike keen to capitalise on the rising demand. 悉尼新南威尔士大学 recently acquired a prime student accommodation complex near its Sydney campus, positioning itself to exert downward pressure on room rates while ensuring high standards of living for students. The sector, which has nearly doubled in supply over the past decade to over 132,000 beds, is experiencing high occupancy rates and strong rental growth, outpacing the wider market. In Melbourne, M&G Real Estate has entered the market with the purchase of the Park Avenue complex in Parkville for about $100 million. This transaction is part of a broader trend, with developers and investors increasingly turning to the "living sector" for stable returns. As student accommodation continues to grow in popularity, future developments are expected to further address the ongoing shortage of beds across major university hubs in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Contact: Julian Murray, Michael Woda, Michael Cartmill
Commercial Real Estate
The Dutch commercial real estate market has experienced a recovery in 2024, with increased investment volumes across rental housing, logistics, offices, and retail. This rebound is expected to continue into 2025, driven by several factors, including price declines that have boosted returns, economic growth forecasted at 1.6%, and more stable interest rates. These developments help reduce risks for investors and improve market sentiment. However, while a slight rise in long-term capital market rates is anticipated, uncertainties like geopolitical risks or policy shifts could lead to higher-than-expected financing rates, potentially impacting investor demand.
Singapore’s commercial property market remains resilient, supported by strong economic fundamentals, government incentives, and evolving investor preferences. Investors are diversifying into alternative assets like data centers, life sciences, and logistics, driven by trends such as AI, e-commerce, and biomedical research. Despite challenges in retail and office sectors, sustainability is increasingly pivotal, with green-certified buildings and ESG-compliant assets attracting institutional interest. The government’s focus on sustainable urban development strengthens Singapore’s position as a leader in environmentally friendly real estate. Looking ahead, prime assets and alternative investments, particularly in sustainable office and logistics spaces, are expected to drive continued growth.
International Workplace Group plc (IWG) has experienced significant growth in Vietnam, with eight new centres opening in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Danang over the past year. This expansion aligns with Vietnam’s rapidly growing business ecosystem, as more companies, including international firms and startups, embrace hybrid work models. IWG plans to open at least four more centres in 2025, bringing the total to 24 nationwide. The expansion also includes a focus on non-CBD areas and second-tier cities, supported by improved infrastructure. With flexible workspaces becoming more in demand, IWG's continued growth in Vietnam highlights its confidence in the market and the increasing adoption of hybrid working solutions.
In partnership with GKR:
GKR has been exclusively retained to lead the search for an experienced Leasing Manager to shape strategies for a rapidly growing real estate business in self-storage and industrial spaces.
Contact Lee Riley to learn more about this high-impact leadership position.
Investment, Finance & Accountancy
The UK build-to-rent (BTR) sector had a record-breaking 2024, with ￡5bn in investment driven by strong tenant demand, falling borrowing costs, and increased interest from North American investors. Rental prices rose by 8.7% in the year to January 2025, with landlords seeing yields of 6.93%. The sector has expanded beyond London, particularly in cities like Manchester, where BTR offers more affordable options across various price points. As supply grows, price pressure is expected to ease, and new developments are driving regeneration, particularly in brownfield areas, benefiting multiple households through improved housing options.
Madrid and Barcelona have become top property investment destinations in Europe, with Madrid climbing to second place and Barcelona to fourth in 2025. This surge is fueled by Spain’s strong economy, rising tourism, and stable property prices, making it an attractive alternative to higher-cost markets like London. Madrid's financial stability and corporate growth, coupled with Barcelona’s booming tourism sector, are key drivers. The growing e-commerce sector also boosts demand for logistics properties, while Spain’s affordability and improving credit conditions continue to draw investor interest, with €16 billion in expected investment by 2025.
Vietnam's green real estate market is poised for significant growth, driven by a surge in green capital and government initiatives supporting sustainable development. With over 560 green-certified buildings by the end of 2024, far surpassing initial targets, the market is attracting more international and domestic investments. The rise of green bonds plays a pivotal role in facilitating the transition to environmentally-friendly real estate, offering preferential financing options and encouraging firms to adopt green practices. Key drivers include government policies such as the National Green Growth Strategy and the introduction of the Green Industry Classification Framework in 2025, which will support green bond issuance and provide a foundation for future growth. Collaboration among issuers, investors, the government, and financial institutions will be essential for the sustainable development of the green real estate bond market.
Contact: Lee Riley
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2 天前Some great partnerships featured! Don’t miss out!