Newsletter

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.Source: The Land Registry, JLLDownload 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

Dubai’s DIFC Foundations Gain Relevance for Global Wealth PlanningAs international families build wealth across multiple countries, asset protection and succession planning are becoming more complex. Many families now hold real estate, investment portfolios, private company shares and business interests across several jurisdictions.Without a proper structure, transferring these assets between generations can become costly, fragmented and difficult to manage.This is where DIFC Foundations are becoming increasingly relevant. A DIFC Foundation is a separate legal entityestablished within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Unlike a traditional trust, the Foundation can own assets directly in its own name, offering families clearer governance, better transparency and a structure that is easier to administer.For globally mobile families, this structure can help consolidate ownership of international real estate portfolios, private company shares, investment assets, intellectual property and other family assets under one vehicle.Why Families Use DIFC FoundationsThe main appeal lies in succession planning, asset protection and long-term family governance. By using a DIFC Foundation, families can reduce probate and inheritance complications while creating a clearer framework for preserving wealth across generations.For Muslim families, DIFC Foundations can also support Sharia-sensitive succession and governance objectives. The Foundation Charter and By-Laws can be tailored to reflect the family’s values, wishes and inheritance philosophy, while still benefiting from DIFC’s internationally recognised legal framework.Typical setup costs may range from USD 8,000 to USD 20,000, with annual administration and maintenance costs often ranging between USD 3,000 and USD 10,000. These structures are generally most suitable for families with investable assets of at least USD 1 million, with stronger value for portfolios above USD 3 million to USD 5 million.OutlookIn 2026, wealth preservation is no longer only about investment returns. For global families, the priority is structure, continuity and control.DIFC Foundations are likely to remain an important planning tool for families seeking long-term certainty across multiple markets and generations.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Canada Housing Market Shows Improving StabilityCanada’s housing market continued to stabilise in May 2026, with buyer activity gradually strengthening across many regions. Lower borrowing costs, improving affordability and stronger homebuyer confidence supported greater market participation during the spring season.Nationally, conditions remained relatively balanced. Inventory levels continued to give buyers ample choice, while home prices generally stayed below year-ago levels. This helped keep affordability in focus and prevented competition from rising too quickly.However, tightening supply in selected markets and improving sales activity suggest that Canada’s housing market may be moving closer to equilibrium.Toronto Gains Momentum, Vancouver Remains BalancedThe Greater Toronto Area showed stronger momentum in May. Home sales increased 6.3% year-on-year to 6,583 transactions, while new listings fell 18.9% compared with May 2025.Even as market conditions tightened, buyers still benefited from softer pricing. The MLS® HPI Composite benchmarkwas down 6.7% year-on-year, while the average selling price reached $1,069,700, down 4.6% from a year earlier.In Metro Vancouver, the market remained more balanced. Residential sales totalled 2,150 transactions, down 3.5% year-on-year, while new listings declined 7.6%.Inventory remained elevated, with active listings more than 34% above the region’s 10-year average. The benchmark price for all residential properties stood at $1,100,700, down 6.2% year-on-year, giving buyers more selection and keeping price growth contained.OutlookCanada’s housing market is expected to move toward steadier conditions in the coming months. If buyer demand continues to recover and supply tightens further in key cities, price declines may moderate.For buyers, the current market still offers choice and negotiating room. For sellers, improving activity is positive, but realistic pricing remains essential.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Cambodia Property Market Moves Into a More Disciplined PhaseCambodia’s property market in mid-2026 is showing signs of stabilisation, but recovery remains uneven across different segments.Headline prices are still correcting. The National Bank of Cambodia’s residential price index fell 3.67% year-on-year in January 2026, after a 3.8% decline in 2025. Phnom Penh recorded a sharper fall of 4.52%.However, the market is not moving in one direction. The borey landed housing segment remains one of the most active areas, supported by a growing middle class and better financing access. At the same time, the high-end Phnom Penh condo market showed some recovery in late 2025, with average prices rising around 5% to above US$2,800 per square metre in Q4.Cambodia also remains relatively affordable compared with other Southeast Asian capital-city markets, while rental yields are holding at a realistic 6% to 8% range.Infrastructure and Logistics Support Long-Term DemandThe strongest growth drivers are now linked to infrastructure and real economic activity.The launch of Techo International Airport in September 2025 has redirected Phnom Penh’s expansion southward, while areas connected to Ring Road 3 and the new airport have seen land values rise sharply over the past decade.The industrial and logistics sector is also performing strongly, supported by regional supply-chain diversification. Meanwhile, the deferred 20% capital gains tax on immovable property until 1 January 2027 gives sellers a clear window to transact under the current tax regime.OutlookCambodia’s property market is unlikely to see a broad-based surge in the near term. Instead, growth is expected to be gradual, disciplined and highly segmented.Affordable and mid-range properties in infrastructure-linked areas should outperform, while oversupplied luxury condos may remain challenging. For patient investors, 2026 presents a value-oriented entry window, especially in landed housing and growth-corridor land.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload