Newsletter

Chinese Buyers Continue to Lead Australia’s Foreign Home InvestmentChinese buyers remain the leading foreign buyer group in Australia’s residential property market, even as overall foreign home investment cools.According to Australian Treasury data highlighted in the Juwai IQI Insight, buyers from China purchased more Australian residential property than citizens of any other country. Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group Managing Director Daniel Ho noted that China ranked first by both the number and value of approved investment in every quarter.Other key buyer sources include Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong, with demand mainly driven by migration, education and lifestyle.Juwai IQI’s internal data also shows that Australia became the most popular global destination for Chinese buyers in Q1 2026, moving up from second place in 2025. The next most popular destinations were Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Malaysia.Education and Migration Remain Core Demand DriversEducation remains one of the strongest reasons behind Chinese buyer interest in Australia. More than 35,000 Chinese citizens moved to Australia in 2025, while around 730,000 Australian residents were born in China.In the first quarter of FY2026, Chinese buyers accounted for 234 of 799 approved residential investments. The value of approved Chinese residential investment reached about $2.6 billion in FY2024, around $1.4 billion in FY2025, and roughly $0.8 billion across the first three quarters of FY2026.This shows that while investment volumes have moderated, the underlying connection between China and Australia remains strong. Chinese companies are also the third-biggest source of approved foreign direct investment in Australia. OutlookChinese demand for Australian property is likely to remain resilient, especially where it is linked to education, migration and long-term lifestyle planning.For developers and agents, Australia’s appeal to Chinese buyers remains clear, but stronger targeting and trusted market positioning will be essential as foreign investment becomes more selective.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Italy’s Residential Market Gains MomentumItaly’s residential market entered mid-2026 with stronger pricing and sales activity. House prices rose 1.0% quarter-on-quarter and 5.2% year-on-year in Q1 2026, supported mainly by existing homes, which increased 1.5% over the quarter.Transaction activity also improved. Residential sales rose 4.4% year-on-year in Q1 2026, a clear acceleration from the previous quarter. This follows 766,756 transactions in 2025, one of the strongest annual performances of the past decade.Growth remains uneven across major cities. Milan led with 6.3% year-on-year price growth, followed by Rome at 5.0% and Turin at 3.6%. Rental yields also remained attractive, with average gross yields at 7.23% in January 2026. Investment Demand Remains SelectiveItaly’s investment market also showed strong momentum, with total investment volume reaching €12.5 billion in 2025, up 23% year-on-year. Foreign capital accounted for 58% of total investment, mainly targeting retail, hospitality, industrial and logistics assets.However, investors are becoming more selective. Demand is strongest for premium, liquid assets, with prime office yields in Milan around 4%. Limited supply of Grade A and energy-efficient stock continues to support competition for quality assets.OutlookItaly’s 2026 outlook remains positive but disciplined. Residential demand should stay supported by major cities, rental income and continued interest from international buyers.At the same time, higher energy risks, inflation pressure and steady ECB rates may keep investors cautious. The strongest opportunities are likely to be in well-located residential assets, student housing, logistics and high-quality buildings that meet modern efficiency standards.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

The Strait of Malacca Moves Into Sharper FocusThe Strait of Malacca is once again drawing attention as global markets reassess the importance of major maritime trade routes.After Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in late February 2026, investors and policymakers have become more alert to the risks surrounding key shipping corridors. For Southeast Asia, any disruption in the Strait of Malacca could carry wider implications, affecting energy flows, industrial supply chains and logistics costs.Regional developments have added to this uncertainty. In mid-April 2026, the US and Indonesia signed a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership focused on capacity building, training and operational cooperation. Although Indonesia later ruled out the idea of transit fees, the brief discussion still contributed to higher shipping insurance premiums. What This Means for Malaysia’s Property MarketFor Malaysia, the Strait of Malacca is more than a maritime route. It is closely linked to trade, ports, manufacturing activity and logistics movement.If shipping through Malacca is disrupted, businesses could face higher import and logistics costs. This may influence tenant demand, industrial activity, investor confidence and commercial property decisions, especially in locations connected to trade and supply chains.Security concerns are also evolving. Risks now go beyond traditional military threats and include cybersecurity, regional competition and emerging operational challenges. This means market players may need to think more carefully about resilience, cost planning and long-term location strategy.OutlookThe Strait of Malacca remains calm, but the stakes are rising.For Malaysia’s property market, the immediate impact may be limited, but prolonged uncertainty could affect business sentiment and logistics-driven demand. In 2026, investors should watch how maritime security, shipping costs and regional cooperation develop, as these factors may increasingly shape industrial and commercial property outlooks.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

NCR Residential Market Shifts Toward Branded DevelopersIndia’s National Capital Region (NCR) residential market is entering a new phase, led by the rising presence of national developers and stronger buyer preference for trusted brands.Between 2022 and Q1 2026, leading national developers launched more than 15,000 residential units across NCR. This reflects a clear shift in buyer expectations, with purchasers placing greater value on timely delivery, stronger governance, superior amenities and execution trust.Major national players are also reshaping the competitive landscape. In the NCR launch share, Godrej Propertiesaccounted for 47%, followed by Prestige Group at 27%, Sobha Ltd at 10%, and others at 16%.Infrastructure is a major growth driver. Projects such as the Dwarka Expressway, Noida International Airport, Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, RRTS, Sohna Corridor and expanding metro networks are improving connectivity and opening up new residential corridors across NCR. These developments are making previously peripheral locations more attractive to both end-users and investors. Premium and Luxury Homes Lead New SupplyNational developers are focusing heavily on the premium and luxury segments, where larger apartment layouts are becoming the norm.Average unit sizes across new launches now stand at around 1,830 sq ft for 3BHKs, 2,600 sq ft for 4BHKs, and over 4,400 sq ft for 5BHK residences. This points to stronger demand from affluent buyers seeking lifestyle-led communities, larger living spaces and better project quality.Gurugram remains the leading launch market, accounting for 47% of national developer launches, followed by Ghaziabad at 27%, Noida at 13% and Greater Noida at 12%.OutlookNCR’s residential market is likely to remain driven by branded supply, infrastructure growth and rising buyer expectations.As competition increases, overall standards in design, transparency and delivery should continue to improve, ultimately benefiting NCR homebuyers.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Iceland Housing Market Shifts in Buyers’ FavourIceland’s property market is entering a more buyer-friendly phase, with prices broadly steady, wages rising and sales activity remaining unhurried.The national housing price index slipped 0.44% in May to 113.3 points, but remained 2.16% higher year-on-year. The weakness was mainly seen in detached houses in the capital area, where prices fell 1.91% over the month.The more important movement is affordability. Wages rose 6.4% over the past year, outpacing housing price growth of about 2.15%. This has made homes roughly 8% cheaper relative to incomes compared with August 2024, giving buyers stronger purchasing power than in recent years. Supply Remains Ample, But the Pipeline Is ThinningCurrent inventory gives buyers room to negotiate. Nearly 25% of homes listed in early June had been on the market for more than 12 months, while half of unsold new builds had been available for over 260 days.However, this supply advantage may not last. Fewer homes were completed in the first five months of 2026 than in the past two years, while residential investment is contracting. This points to a thinner construction pipeline and potentially tighter supply ahead.First-time buyers are also returning, helped by relaxed lending rules and an expanded shared-equity scheme.OutlookIceland’s near-term market remains shaped by financing costs. Inflation eased to 5.1% in May, but the Central Bank raised its policy rate to 7.75%, delaying a more supportive rate environment.Even so, the medium-term outlook is constructive. With improving affordability, negotiable inventory, firm rental demand and shrinking future supply, Iceland could offer a value-oriented entry window for investors with a two to three-year horizon.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Residential Market Shows Renewed ActivityHong Kong’s residential market recorded a stronger performance in April, with total residential sales transactions rising to 7,368 units, up 1,052 units month-on-month. Secondary market transactions accounted for 4,774 units, while primary sales reached 2,594 units.Mass residential capital values also improved, rising 1.5% month-on-month. In the primary market, One Victoria Cove in Hung Hom sold all 218 units launched in its first sales batch, with prices ranging from HKD 17,365 to HKD 21,158 per sq ft. Around 30% of buyers were estimated to have purchased for investment purposes.Developer confidence also remained visible. The Kam Sheung Road Station Phase Two development was awarded to a consortium including Sino Land, China Overseas, Great Eagle and China Merchants, with planned investment exceeding HKD 13 billion. Office Market Sees Early Recovery SignsHong Kong’s office leasing market also showed improvement, recording positive net absorption of 8,000 sq ft in April. Central continued to lead demand, with average monthly net absorption exceeding 100,000 sq ft during the first four months of 2026.The overall office vacancy rate remained stable at 13.5%, while Central vacancy declined to 9.2%. Office rents rose 1.2% month-on-month, supported by a 2.1% increase in Central and early recovery in Wanchai and Causeway Bay.OutlookHong Kong’s property market is showing a more positive tone, supported by stronger residential sales, selective investment demand and improving office leasing activity.Momentum is still likely to vary by segment, but prime locations, well-priced new launches and core office districts may continue to attract stronger buyer and tenant interest.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Greece Strengthens Its Position as a Global Wealth DestinationGreece has retained its position as the world’s No.1 residence-by-investment destination for the second consecutive year, topping the 2026 Henley Residence Program Index with a score of 73 out of 100.The ranking highlights Greece’s strong appeal among internationally mobile investors, especially those seeking residency flexibility, quality of life, tax efficiency and access to Europe. The country’s Golden Visa programme remains one of the most recognised pathways for global wealth planning, particularly for investors from Asia, the Middle East and Africa.Greece achieved this despite major programme reforms. The previous €250,000 threshold has been replaced by a tiered structure, with investment requirements now set at €800,000 in high-demand locations such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Santorini, and €400,000 across much of the rest of the country.New rules also limit short-term Airbnb-style rentals and require each investment to focus on a single qualifying property. At the same time, a new route allows investment into startups registered with Elevate Greece, widening the programme beyond traditional real estate.OutlookGreece’s Golden Visa is expected to remain highly attractive in 2026, even with higher investment thresholds.Its biggest advantage is not only property ownership, but also Schengen Area access, fast processing and minimal physical-presence requirements. Investors do not need to live permanently in Greece to maintain residency, making the programme practical for globally mobile families.In a market shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and rising demand for mobility, Greece stands out as a stable, lifestyle-driven and strategic gateway into Europe.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Global Markets Shift Focus to Energy SecurityThe global economic outlook for July 2026 is being shaped less by traditional growth data and more by geopolitical risk, energy security and trade-route stability.The Strait of Hormuz remains the most important risk point for the global economy, with about 20% of global oil flowsand nearly 20% of global LNG trade passing through this waterway. Any major disruption could quickly lift energy prices, revive inflation pressure and challenge the current disinflation trend.Global trade is also highly dependent on several other strategic chokepoints, including the Malacca Strait, Gibraltar Strait, Suez Canal and Panama Canal. Together, these corridors support a large share of global commerce and supply chains.Recent disruptions in the Red Sea, Middle East tensions, Panama Canal restrictions and uncertainty around Taiwan have pushed markets to price in greater geopolitical risk. As a result, shipping costs, insurance premiums and supply-chain vulnerability remain elevated.Market ImplicationsFinancial markets are moving from a growth-and-interest-rate narrative toward a geopolitics-and-energy-security narrative.As long as energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain uninterrupted, the global economy can still expand despite uncertainty. However, a prolonged disruption could push oil above US$100 per barrel, delay monetary easing by major central banks and increase volatility across global financial markets.This environment may support energy, precious metals, defence and commodity-linked sectors. At the same time, higher oil prices could pressure transportation, manufacturing and consumer-sensitive industries.OutlookThe next major market move may not be driven by economic data alone.In the second half of 2026, investors will need to watch the security of global energy supply, the resilience of major trade routes and how quickly markets can absorb geopolitical shocks. Energy stability will be central to the global growth and inflation outlook.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload