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Chinese Buying Continues After Permanent ResidencyCanada’s foreign buyer restrictions may have reduced direct purchases by non-residents, but they do not apply in the same way to permanent residents.According to Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group Managing Director Daniel Ho, Chinese buyers continue entering Canada’s housing market after obtaining permanent residency. Once they become Canadian permanent residents, they can purchase property under the same rules as other eligible buyers.In 2025, 21,115 Chinese nationals became Canadian permanent residents, representing 5.4% of all new permanent residents. Their share increased to 5.6% in Q1 2026.Across both periods, Canada welcomed 25,805 new Chinese permanent residents, making China the country’s fourth-largest source of new permanent residents. Annual Purchases Estimated at Up to US$4.98 BillionThere is no precise public figure showing how many new permanent residents purchase homes, how quickly they buy or how much they spend.However, Juwai IQI estimates that one year’s intake of new Chinese permanent residents could generate between US$2.52 billion and US$4.98 billion in Canadian residential purchases. This is equivalent to approximately CA$3.6 billion to CA$7.1 billion.The estimate reflects the group’s historic preference for real assets and homeownership. It also excludes Chinese buyers who received permanent residency in earlier years and purchased later, buyers using eligible work permits and those who have since become Canadian citizens.OutlookChinese demand is likely to remain an important part of Canada’s residential market, even when it is not recorded as foreign buying.Future activity will depend on immigration levels, affordability and the time new residents take to move from renting into ownership. Nevertheless, permanent residency will remain a significant pathway connecting Chinese families with Canadian housing demand.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Residential Momentum Remains StrongItaly’s housing market entered the second half of 2026 with solid momentum. House prices increased 5.2% year-on-year in Q1 2026, supported by stronger transaction activity and improving demand.New-build prices rose 6.7%, while existing homes gained 4.8%. Residential sales also increased 4.4% year-on-year, with total transactions forecast to grow by approximately 8.4% across 2026.Price growth remained concentrated in major cities. Milan led with a 6.3% increase, followed by Rome at 5.0% and Turin at 3.6%. National asking prices averaged €2,188 per square metre in April.However, the financing environment has become less supportive. The European Central Bank raised its deposit rate to 2.25% in June 2026, weakening the lower-cost mortgage conditions that supported the earlier recovery. Quality Assets Continue to Attract CapitalHigher interest rates have not significantly reduced demand for premium assets. Commercial property investment reached €12.5 billion in 2025, up 23% year-on-year, with international investors contributing 58% of total capital.Luxury property also remained resilient. International buyers now account for around 35% of Italy’s prime market, supported by continued demand for lifestyle properties and high-net-worth relocation.Residential rental fundamentals remain attractive, with average gross yields of 7.23% nationally. Yields ranged from 9.17% in Catania to 5.26% in Milan.Competition is strongest for Grade-A offices, energy-efficient buildings and prime coastal properties, where limited supply continues to support values.OutlookItaly’s property market is expected to remain positive but more selective.Higher financing costs may slow leveraged purchases, while cash-rich buyers and international investors should remain active. Well-located, energy-efficient and income-producing assets are likely to outperform as the wider market moves towards more measured growth.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Energy Investment Supports Property DemandMalaysia’s oil and gas industry remains resilient, supported by upstream capital commitments from PETRONAS, Shell, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.The PETRONAS Activity Outlook 2025 to 2027 projects continued offshore maintenance demand, with Dayang Enterprise securing RM4 billion in contracts. Major energy hubs such as Bintulu, Kerteh, Pengerang and Sabah’s deepwater fields remain central to industry activity.This investment extends beyond the energy sector. Operational centres in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Sarawak continue to support steady demand for residential and commercial property from companies, workers and related service providers.The energy ecosystem also includes engineering, logistics, offshore services and project management companies, creating a wider economic effect across key regional markets. Johor and Sabah Benefit From Regional GrowthJohor Bahru continues to show how energy and infrastructure development can influence property performance.Serviced apartment values increased 20.4%, while double-storey terrace properties rose 8.6% in Q2 2025. This growth was supported by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and activity surrounding the Pengerang Integrated Complex.Sabah is also benefiting from stronger energy activity. A 4.9% rebound in the oil and gas sector helped lift the state’s gross domestic product to RM88.8 billion.These developments suggest that property demand is increasingly linked to employment creation, infrastructure investment and the expansion of supporting industries around established energy hubs.OutlookMalaysia’s energy sector should remain a steady driver of selected property markets.Locations connected to major oil and gas operations may continue to attract residential and commercial demand, particularly where infrastructure, employment and supporting services are expanding. Investors should focus on established operational hubs and areas with clear long-term economic activity rather than relying on short-term price movements.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Institutional Investment Reaches a New HighInstitutional investment in India’s real estate sector reached USD 4.1 billion during the first half of 2026, representing a 58% year-on-year increase.This was the strongest first-half performance recorded since the pandemic, highlighting renewed confidence in India’s property market despite continued uncertainty in the global economy.The second quarter alone attracted USD 2.7 billion in investment. Domestic investors accounted for 58% of total Q2 inflows, showing strong local confidence in the market’s long-term potential and growth prospects. Commercial Real Estate Leads Capital InflowsCommercial real estate continued to attract the largest share of institutional capital. Demand was supported by the expansion of Global Capability Centres, corporate growth and the resilience of India’s Grade A office market.India’s investment momentum also reflects the increasing maturity of its real estate sector. Greater regulatory transparency through RERA, stronger corporate governance and rising participation from REITs have helped improve confidence among institutional investors.A steady pipeline of investment-grade assets is also giving both domestic and international investors more opportunities to enter the market. Meanwhile, rapid infrastructure development, urban expansion and strong economic fundamentals continue to strengthen India’s position as a major Asian investment destination.OutlookIndia’s real estate market is expected to remain attractive to long-term institutional investors, particularly within the commercial and Grade A office segments.Continued demand from corporations and Global Capability Centres should support investment activity. Stronger regulations, improving transparency and greater REIT participation may also encourage more capital inflows.However, investors are likely to remain selective, prioritising well-managed assets in established cities and high-growth locations with strong infrastructure, tenant demand and long-term income potential.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Housing Market Cools Without a Sharp CorrectionIceland’s housing market continued to cool gradually in May 2026. The national housing price index declined 0.44% month-on-month to 113.3 points, although prices remained 2.16% higher year-on-year.Affordability is improving as wages continue to rise faster than housing prices. The accompanying market data shows annual wage growth of 6.4%, compared with 2.2% growth in house prices.Buyer activity remained subdued, with only 750 purchase contracts signed during the month, representing a 27% year-on-year decline. Rental costs in the capital area increased 4.87% annually, but remained broadly unchanged after accounting for inflation. Inflation Delays Interest Rate ReliefInflation increased to 5.2% in June, remaining above the Central Bank’s 4% ceiling for a seventh consecutive month. The rise was mainly driven by a seasonal increase of more than 20% in airfares, rather than widespread price pressure.The Central Bank maintained its policy rate at 7.75% following May’s increase, delaying expectations of near-term rate cuts. Higher financing costs may continue to limit buyer activity until inflation shows a more sustained decline.Housing supply remains sufficient for now, with 452 new plots confirmed in the second quarter. However, only 119 were residential, while construction completions are slowing as housing investment contracts.OutlookIceland’s market currently favours patient buyers who can manage higher borrowing costs.Improving affordability and ample inventory should keep conditions buyer-friendly in the near term. However, a thinner construction pipeline may tighten supply later. Once inflation eases and interest rate cuts resume, stronger affordability and limited new housing could support renewed price growth.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Residential Values Show Renewed StrengthHong Kong’s residential market remained active in May 2026, although total transaction volume eased slightly to 7,138 units, down by 230 units from the previous month.The secondary market accounted for 4,728 transactions, while primary sales reached 2,410 units. Despite the softer transaction volume, mass residential capital values increased by 2.0% month-on-month, indicating firmer market sentiment.New developments also attracted strong demand. Lime Spark in Tsuen Wan sold all 154 units released during its first sales round, with average prices ranging from HKD 16,079 to HKD 18,408 per sq ft.The luxury segment remained active, highlighted by the sale of an entire floor at Mount Nicholson for HKD 460 million, equivalent to HKD 100,745 per sq ft. Office Leasing Continues to RecoverHong Kong’s office market recorded positive net absorption of 205,000 sq ft in May. Wanchai and Causeway Bay achieved their strongest monthly net take-up since April 2024, supported by demand spilling over from Central.Leasing activity from securities firms remained robust. CITIC Securities leased 18,000 sq ft at CITIC Tower, while Ping An Securities secured 14,900 sq ft at The Center.The overall office vacancy rate declined to 13.3%, while average office rents increased 0.3% month-on-month. Central led rental growth with a 0.7% increase, followed by Wanchai and Causeway Bay at 0.3%.OutlookHong Kong’s property market is showing signs of gradual improvement across both residential and office segments.Residential values may remain supported by successful project launches and firmer buyer sentiment. Meanwhile, improving office absorption and declining vacancy could strengthen leasing conditions, particularly in Central, Wanchai and Causeway Bay.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Greece Property Prices Continue to RiseGreece’s real estate market remained resilient in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong international interest and continued price growth across key property segments.Online searches for Greek property increased 12% year-on-year, reflecting the country’s growing appeal among overseas buyers seeking lifestyle, investment and long-term ownership opportunities.Buyers from the United States showed the strongest purchasing interest, with an average search price of €358,220. This was followed by the United Kingdom at €279,198 and Germany at €218,587.Interest from Bulgaria and Serbia also remained notable, with average search prices of €188,750 and €157,980respectively. Greece’s Mediterranean lifestyle, favourable climate and investment potential continue to attract buyers from a diverse range of markets. Price Growth Slows to a Healthier PaceAverage asking prices for homes increased 7.9% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Although still strong, this was below the 8.8% growth recorded during the same period in 2025.Commercial property asking prices rose 5.1%, compared with 7.8% a year earlier. The slower pace suggests the market is moving towards more measured and sustainable growth.Land asking prices declined 1.7%, marking the first nationwide decrease. This shift indicates that buyers are becoming more selective, particularly in segments where pricing may have moved ahead of current demand.OutlookGreece’s property market is expected to remain supported by international demand, lifestyle appeal and continued interest in residential and commercial assets.However, the moderation in price growth suggests investors should focus on location, realistic valuations and long-term demand fundamentals. Well-positioned properties are likely to remain competitive as the wider market matures.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Global Growth Remains Resilient but UnevenThe global economy entered the second half of 2026 with stronger momentum than many expected. Growth is tracking near 2.8%, ahead of the market consensus of approximately 2.5%, supported by easing tariff pressures, more favourable financial conditions and fiscal support in Germany.The United States and China remain the main anchors of global activity. The US continues to benefit from tax relief, policy support and resilient corporate investment, while China’s export sector is helping maintain growth near 4.8%.However, this expansion is increasingly uneven. Capital is concentrating around artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centres, energy security and large-scale platforms. At the same time, softer labour markets and slower output growth are affecting parts of the West.This divide is creating a more selective global economy, where scale, liquidity and the ability to adapt are becoming more important indicators of resilience. Geopolitical Risk Reshapes Investment DecisionsGeopolitics remains one of the biggest variables influencing markets. The Iran conflict pushed Brent crude higher during disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz before prices eased towards the mid-US$70s.The retreat offered some relief, but energy markets remain exposed. The Strait of Hormuz continues to carry a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, making maritime security and regional developments important economic risks.Central banks are also strengthening their financial buffers. They purchased approximately 860 tonnes of gold in 2025, well above the pre-2022 average of around 470 tonnes. This continued accumulation reflects efforts to diversify reserves and reduce exposure to geopolitical and currency risks.OutlookThe global economy is likely to remain resilient, but growth will continue to vary across countries and sectors.Markets with energy security, strong liquidity, fiscal flexibility and institutional capacity should be better positioned to absorb future shocks. Investors are expected to remain focused on quality, scale and long-term resilience rather than broad market momentum.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload