Newsletter

Written by Dustin Trung Nguyen, Head of IQI VietnamVietnam Real Estate Market OverviewHo Chi Minh City (HCMC) has announced a bold vision to create a US$7 billion international financial hub in District 1 and Thu Thiem Urban Area, with the initial nine-hectare phase centered in Thu Thiem. This strategic move includes regulatory infrastructure and talent development, signaling elevated residential interest in the Thu Duc area. However, it also adds speculation risk, as housing prices—already high—are rising fast. In Q1 2025, property prices in some regions soared 20-40% year-on-year, and Vietnam’s house price-to-income ratio now stands at 24.7–26, far exceeding the global affordability benchmark of 15.On the commercial side, Hanoi’s mid-tier serviced apartment rents climbed 14% in Q1 to US$25/sqm/month. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s legal stance on short-term rentals is under scrutiny. Though current law restricts Airbnb-style leases, legal gaps remain—no precise definitions of “short-term” exist, and many argue such bans infringe on homeowners’ rights as outlined in the Civil Code. Regulatory revisions are likely, with implications for both local landlords and the broader property leasing market.Click for more info!Download

Written by Yousaf Iqbal, Head of IQI CanadaAs of May 2025, Canada's real estate market is showing mixed signals, with national home sales down 9.8% year-over-year and a fifth consecutive monthly decline in activity. The sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) rose slightly to 47%, indicating a broadly balanced market, though regional differences persist. Ontario remains in buyer's market territory with a 35% SNLR, while Alberta (63%) and Quebec (70%) reflect strong seller conditions. The national median price for single-family homes dipped 1.1% month-on-month and 3.1% year-on-year, led by softness in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. TRREB highlighted economic uncertainty and high costs as challenges, urging federal reforms to improve affordability and supply.In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), affordability improved thanks to falling prices and lower borrowing costs. May saw 6,244 transactions (down 13.3% y-o-y), while new listings rose 14%, easing supply constraints. The average price dropped 4% to $1.12 million, and the benchmark index fell 4.5%, though both metrics posted monthly gains—hinting at early recovery. Vancouver saw sharper declines, with sales falling 18.5% y-o-y and inventory hitting a 10-year high. Benchmark prices dropped 2.9%, reinforcing its buyer’s market status. In contrast, Quebec remained a bright spot, with home sales up 12% in Montreal and Quebec City, strong price growth, and limited inventory supporting a competitive seller’s market outlook.Click for more info!Download

Written by Lily Chong, Head of IQI GlobalAustralia’s housing market saw a solid rebound in May, with national dwelling values climbing 0.5%, bringing the year-to-date increase to 1.7%. This growth was consistent across all capital cities, each registering at least a 0.4% gain. According to CoreLogic's Tim Lawless, the momentum has been reignited by February and May interest rate cuts, lifting auction clearance rates and buyer confidence.While national annual growth slowed to 3.3%—the weakest since August 2023—only Melbourne and Canberra posted year-on-year declines, underscoring the overall market’s resilience. The narrowing performance gap between cities suggests a more synchronized market recovery, with even lagging regions like Melbourne showing early signs of stabilisation.Perth continues to dominate, supported by a robust economic backdrop, including low unemployment, diversified industry growth, and ongoing job creation. REIWA reported Perth’s median house price hit $780,000 in May—up 18% annually—while units soared 21% to $535,000. This is driven by sustained demand amid modest population growth and a solid employment base in Western Australia.Additionally, premium housing segments are gaining momentum, especially in Sydney and Canberra, reversing earlier trends that favored more affordable homes. Across the board, Australia’s property market is showing renewed vigor, with expectations of continued upward momentum through the second half of 2025.Click for more info!Download

Written by Muhazrol Muhamad, GVP, Head of Bumiputra SegmentIn 2025, global property investors are increasingly turning to emerging markets that offer strong growth potential outside traditional hubs like London and Dubai. Destinations such as Penang and Johor Bahru in Malaysia offer affordable, high-quality developments alongside improved visa options and key infrastructure like the RTS link to Singapore. Sri Lanka’s southern coast is bouncing back with low-cost coastal properties and favorable foreign investment policies, while Albania's scenic Riviera draws European interest due to its affordability and EU aspirations. Inland Portugal regions like Braga and Alentejo appeal with their tranquility and lower prices compared to coastal cities, and Türkiye remains attractive thanks to its citizenship-by-investment program and vibrant expat communities in coastal cities.At the same time, North and East Bali are emerging as strategic alternatives to the saturated south, with developers and investors focusing on eco-tourism and sustainable villa developments. Across these under-the-radar markets, common 2025 investment themes include liberalizing residency laws, strong tourism recovery, infrastructure growth, and investor-friendly policies. These trends are creating compelling opportunities for buyers seeking stable rental returns and versatile properties suited to both leisure and remote working lifestyles.Click for more info!

Written by Hamid R. Azarmi, Head of Business DevelopmentIn today’s unpredictable economic landscape, financial planning must emphasizeresilience alongside growth.Key strategies include maintaining liquidity through emergency funds and accessible investments, diversifying beyond the traditional stock-bond mix across asset classes and geographies, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage to protect against unforeseen risks. Simplifying financial management—by consolidating accounts and automating savings—also helps reduce stress and avoid knee-jerk decisions during market swings.Moreover, investors can harness volatility as an advantage by using strategies like dollar-cost averaging, which smooth out market entry points over time. Staying anchored to long-term goals is crucial—whether it’s owning a home, retiring early, or building generational wealth. Regularly revisiting these goals helps align your financial actions with both current conditions and future aspirations. In an era of uncertainty, true financial strength lies not just in wealth accumulation but in having a flexible, shockproof strategy that endures.click for more info

Written by Dave Platter, Global PR DirectorIn 2025, Dubai is emerging as a global education leader, seizing an opportunity created by tightening student visa policies in traditional destinations like the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. Rising uncertainty, such as that faced by Taiwanese student Chu who was set to study at Harvard, is prompting international students to consider more stable alternatives. Dubai, with its proactive policies and growing reputation, is now a top choice. As Kashif Ansari, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Juwai IQI, explains, the city isn’t justreacting—it’s prepared. With over 237,000 international students, 57 branch campuses, and dedicated academic hubs like Dubai Knowledge Park, the city has already laid the groundwork for global academic excellence.Dubai’s Education 33 strategy aims to make it one of the world’s top 10 education destinations by 2033, multiplying student numbers and creating a thriving knowledge economy. International interest is booming, with overseas university enquiries rising sevenfold. The potential economic benefits are substantial—mirroring gains seen in the U.S. and Australia, where international students contribute tens of billions annually. Beyond economic impact, Dubai’s growing education sector promises to boost research,innovation, and opportunities for its own youth. As traditional powerhouses pull back, Dubai is stepping up with infrastructure, leadership, and vision—poised to become a long-term hub for global higher learning.Click for more info!

Written by Irhamy Ahmad, Founder and Managing Director of Irhamy ValuersInternationalMalaysia’s industrial parks have played a critical role in transforming the country into a manufacturing and export-driven economy, with Selangor, Johor, and Pulau Pinang leading the charge. However, many older industrial zones—such as Shah Alam and Klang in Selangor, or Pasir Gudang in Johor—are beginning to show signs of age, facing challenges like outdated infrastructure, digital gaps, and environmental inefficiencies. In response, state-led initiatives like the Selangor Industrial Master Plan and public-private partnerships in Johor are pushing for modern upgrades, green technology, and smarter logistics. Meanwhile, new industrial zones like Elmina Business Park and developments under Iskandar Malaysia are showcasing what the next generation of industrial growth could look like.Pulau Pinang’s Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone remains a key hub for electronics and medical devices, backed by a skilled workforce and innovation-led economy. Yet, limited space and aging infrastructure are prompting shifts towards new development on the mainland, notably in Batu Kawan, with smart-city infrastructure being built from the ground up. As Malaysia embraces Industry 4.0, the national New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) is supporting the transformation toward smart, sustainable industrial ecosystems. Future competitiveness will depend on integrating 5G, IoT, energy efficiency, and talent development—ensuring the country's industrial base remains globally relevant in the decades to come.click for more info!

Written by Shan Saeed, IQI Chief EconomistThe global economic landscape in 2025 is marked by heightened uncertainty, driven by deepening geopolitical risks, volatile tariff policies, and mounting fiscal pressures—particularly in the U.S. While central banks are pivoting toward lower interest rates to sustain growth, market volatility has intensified, causing a disconnect between U.S. yields and the dollar. Despite 5% Treasury yields, the dollar has depreciated due to investor concerns over U.S. fiscal discipline and governance, especially after new tariffs and rising deficits. The “bro billionaire” tech stocks have surged 45% post-election, while small-cap “Main Street” stocks have lagged, revealing imbalances in market sentiment.Investor focus is shifting toward tangible assets, echoing strategies from the 1970s. Weekly capital flows show major inflows into cash ($94.8bn), bonds ($15.8bn), and gold ($1.9bn), with emerging markets also gaining traction. Technology remains attractive, supported by innovation in AI, robotics, and climate tech. However, experts suggest a more selective approach to equities, favoring "growth at a reasonable price" and emphasizing real assets as protection against inflation and currency devaluation. Overall, while opportunities persist, the path forward demands careful diversification and strategic positioning in a rapidly changing global environment.click for more info!