Newsletter

Market momentum remains strong across the Kingdom, driven by Vision 2030 investments, regulatory upgrades, and sustained housing demand. Major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina continue to lead activity in both residential and mixed-use developments.  Key Highlights  • Steady transaction activity: Real estate deals remain active across residential and commercial segments, supported by population growth, infrastructure expansion, and ongoing giga-projects. • Investor interest sustained: Domestic and international investors are increasingly targeting large master-planned communities and income-generating assets.  • Moderate market sentiment: While overall demand remains solid, buyers are showing greater price sensitivity and focusing on value-driven developments in emerging districts.  Policy & Regulatory Developments  • Expansion of the national property registry: The Real Estate General Authority (Saudi Arabia) expanded property registration to additional areas in Medina, improving transparency, ownership protection, and transaction efficiency. • Sector collaboration and planning: Discussions during the Real Estate Future Forum 2026 highlighted regulatory modernization, digital transformation, and sustainability initiatives shaping the market.  Innovation & Market Evolution  • Digital transformation: New prop-tech initiatives and digital transaction platforms are improving market accessibility and data transparency.  • Tokenized real estate milestone: A first tokenized property title issuance signals early adoption of blockchain-based real estate solutions, potentially expanding fractional investment opportunities.  Outlook  Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing property markets in the GCC during early 2026, supported by large development pipelines, improved regulation, and expanding investment participation. Growth will likely remain strongest in residential supply, mixed-use urban projects, and infrastructure-linked developments aligned with Vision 2030 goals. Bottom line: The February market signals continued structural growth in Saudi real estate, with regulatory progress and innovation reinforcing investor confidence while demand gradually shifts toward planned communities and long-term value assets. Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Canada  Canada’s housing market started 2026 with softer sales and more balanced supply compared to prior years. Total home sales in 2025 fell 1.9% from 2024, and the MLS® Home Price Index was down about 4% year-over-year by year-end.  CREA forecasts a modest rebound in 2026, with sales expected to rise 5–7% and average prices reaching around $690,000 to $700,000. The market remains stable, supported by improved affordability and steady buyer confidence.  Toronto  GTA REALTORS® reported 3,082 home sales in January 2026, down 19.3 per cent compared to January 2025, while new listings totaled 10,774, a 13.3 per cent year-over-year decline. On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales decreased month-over-month as listings edged slightly higher.  The MLS® HPI Composite benchmark fell eight per cent year-over-year, with the average selling price at $973,289, down 6.5 per cent from January 2025. TRREB’s 2026 Market Outlook and Year in Review Report also highlights broader trends across the GTA’s residential and commercial real estate markets.  Source: https://trreb.ca/wp-content/files/market-stats/market-watch/mw2601.pdf   Vancouver  Metro Vancouver home sales on the MLS® dropped 28.7% year-over-year in January 2026 to 1,107 units, well below the 10-year average. New listings declined 7.3% to 5,157 but remained above historical norms, pushing active listings up nearly 10% to 12,628.  The sales-to-active listings ratio stood at 9.1%, signaling continued downward pressure on prices. The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark fell 5.7% to $1,101,900. Detached, apartment, and attached home sales and prices all saw double-digit declines compared to January 2025. GVR expects 2026 to mirror last year with subdued sales, high inventory, and stable prices amid ongoing economic uncertainty.  Source: https://members.gvrealtors.ca/news/GVR-Stats-Package-January-2026.pdf  Quebec  Source: https://apciqca-152af.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/stats-202601-en-1.pdf  Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Vietnam’s major property markets are entering a new price cycle, with apartment values in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi continuing to climb, in some cases rivaling or even surpassinglanded homes. HCMC: Apartments Narrow the Gap with Landed PropertyIn Ho Chi Minh City, high-end apartment prices are approaching the level of single-family homes in prime areas. At The Metropole in An Khanh (Thu Duc City), 85 sqm units are offered at VND130–180 million per sqm, while a nearby 80 sqm townhouse in Thao Dien is priced around VND150 million per sqm. Other premium developments such as The Privé, Eaton Park, and Lumière Midtown are transacting within the VND130–250 million per sqm range, notably higher than the VND110–200 million per sqm commonly seen for landed homes within a 2-kilometer radius. This shift reflects strong buyer preference for modern master-planned communities offering integrated amenities, security, and professional management.The premium segment continues to dominate new supply in Ho Chi Minh City. Of the 5,500 apartments launched last quarter, more than half were priced at VND100 million per sqm or higher. The average launch price rose 21% year-on-year to VND96 million per sqm, including data from Ba Ria–Vung Tau and Binh Duong, which merged into the expanded HCMC metropolitan area in July.Hanoi: Apartment Prices Double Over the DecadeIn Hanoi, apartment prices have doubled over the past 10 years, with VND100 million per sqm becoming the new benchmark in many central projects. A three-bedroom unit in a 26-storey residential tower is priced at VND107 million per sqm, approximately 2.6 times its 2017 launch price. According to Batdongsan, average asking prices surpassed VND100 million per sqm in Q3, with strong year-on-year growth recorded at Royal City (+39%), Park View City (+36%), Hinode City (+32%), and Times City (+29%). These figures underline sustained demand and limited prime supply in the capital’s established urban zones.What This Means for Buyers and InvestorsPremium apartments are increasingly positioned as long-term value assets. Integrated developments continue to command price premiums, and early entry into new launches remains a key strategy for capital appreciation. As pricing benchmarks shift upward, strategic property selection and timing will play an even more important role in optimizing investment returns.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

Australian home values continued their upward trend in January, rising 0.8% nationwide, according to Cotality’s Home Value Index. This marks a modest acceleration from December’s 0.6% increase and highlights the market’s resilience despite affordability pressures.All capital cities and regional markets recorded price growth during the month. However, results were mixed acrosst the major capitals. Sydney (+0.2%) and Melbourne (+0.1%) posted only modest gains, following slight declines in December. Both cities remain just below their peak values, with Sydney sitting 0.1% below its November 2025 high and Melbourne 0.7% below its March 2022 peak.Mid-sized capitals continue to lead the market, though momentum is easing. Perth recorded the strongest growth at 2.0%, followed by Brisbane (+1.6%) and Adelaide (+1.2%), all slightly slower than their late-2025 peaks.Cotality’s Research Director, Tim Lawless, noted that price growth remains supported by severely limited housing supply, with listings 19% lower than a year ago and 25% below the five-year average, while buyer demand remains above average. However, he expects market momentum to soften through 2026 as affordability constraints, cost-of-living pressures, potential interest rate increases and slower population growth begin to weigh on demand.At the same time, growth is being driven largely by lower-priced homes, particularly houses. Across the combined capitals, lower-quartile house values rose 1.3% in January, compared with just 0.3% growth in the upper quartile, reflecting intense competition among first home buyers, investors and value-focused buyers.Overall, the market remains resilient, but signs are emerging that the pace of growth may gradually moderate as economic pressures build.For investors and homeowners alike, Perth’s property market presents exciting opportunities. Whether you’re considering selling, buying, or investing, now is the time to explore your options. Contact our team at sales@iqiwa.com.au to discuss your property goals today.Download to see insights from other country marketsDownload

For years, the “10% down-payment rule” has been one of the biggest psychological and financial barriers to homeownership in Malaysia. The assumption was simple: no large cash reserve, no entry. Budget 2026 changes that narrative, placing greater emphasis on financing accessibility rather than affordability alone. With enhanced policy tools now in place, aspiring homeowners may no longer need to delay their plans until they have saved a significant lump sum—provided they understand how to use the right mechanisms strategically.The key financial levers in 2026 include the expanded Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) with up to 120% guarantee coverage, full stamp duty exemptions for eligible first-time buyers, and strategic use of EPF (KWSP) as a liquidity bridge. Together, these tools can significantly reduce upfront cash requirements and improve purchase feasibility, subject to eligibility and bank assessment. The real question in 2026 is no longer how fast one can save 10%, but which combination of tools best fits individual income profiles and cashflow. Buyers who assess their SJKP eligibility early, confirm stamp duty relief, and plan EPF usage responsibly will be best positioned to turn homeownership from intention into action.Download the full report for deeper market insightsDownload

Johor’s property market continues to expand, but the focus is shifting from pure growth to infrastructure readiness. According to Kashif Ansari, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Juwai IQI, the defining issue shaping real estate decisions is no longer just location or pricing, but access to electricity and water. As highlighted in coverage by Astro Awani and Bernama, developments without secured utility access are facing rising uncertainty, while infrastructure-ready land is gaining premium value.This shift is being accelerated by Malaysia’s rapid emergence as a regional data centre hub. Data centres are intensive users of power and water, and according to global insights from the International Energy Agency, demand is growing faster than supporting infrastructure can be delivered. Mr Ansari describes this imbalance as a “power pinch,” already influencing developer site selection, investor risk assessment, and project design. While Johor sits at the centre of this trend, the implications extend nationwide, signalling that infrastructure availability will increasingly guide pricing, timing, and momentum across Malaysia’s property market.Download the full report for deeper market insightsDownload

As February 2026 unfolds, the global economy is showing encouraging signs of stability, supported by steady GDP growth forecasts and accommodative monetary policy across major markets. Emerging economies particularly in Asia and parts of Latin America are expected to drive much of this momentum. While geopolitical tensions have introduced some uncertainty, markets have remained resilient, with investors gravitating toward structural growth themes such as technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, gold and precious metals are quietly strengthening, reinforcing their role as effective portfolio hedges.In this environment, success favours investors who stay anchored to fundamentals anddiversification. Balancing growth assets with defensive allocations like fixed incomeand alternatives helps manage volatility while preserving upside. Real estate continues tostand out, especially in multifamily housing, logistics, and niche commercialsegments, where long-term demand and tight supply support income potential. Withfinancing conditions improving in select markets, 2026 is shaping up to be a year wherediscipline, agility, and thoughtful diversification turn uncertainty into opportunity.Download the full report for deeper market insightsDownload

Markets Re-Enter an Age of Alchemy The year has barely begun, yet the alchemy of global markets has already shifted. Rising geopolitical risk, the resurgence of AI-led capital expenditure, buoyant equity markets, and precious metals at stratospheric levels are rapidly reshaping the investment landscape.Investors are no longer chasing growth at any cost. Priority has shifted to growthwith peace of mind, capital deployed with durability, visibility, and long termsustainability, rather than fleeting momentum. Artificial intelligence has reentered the cycle with conviction. This phase is infrastructure driven, capitalintensive, and productivity enhancing, positioning AI as a powerful GDP catalyst over the next three to five years, particularly across ASEAN, the GCC, and parts of Africa, where policy alignment and digital adoption are accelerating.At the same time, history is reasserting itself. The 1970s are back in style. Inflationsensitivity, geopolitical fragmentation, and currency debasement have restored realassets to center stage. 2026 is shaping up to be the year of tangibility. Gold and silver are heading toward vertiginous levels, while real estate has evolved into a new global currency, offering inflation protection, yield resilience, and geopolitical optionality.Markets evolve; technologies advance but history repeats. Those who grasp the convergence of innovation and real assets will be best positioned for the next phase of global economic realignment.US EQUITY MARKET OUTLOOK: OVERVALUED AT PRESENT.U.S. equities are at historic valuationextremes expectations elevated, riskpremiums compressed. The Buffett Indicator above 210% signals assets priced for perfection, driven by AI exuberance, mega-cap concentration, and excess liquidity. Buffett’s USD 330 billion cash pile says it all: at peaks, liquidity is strategy. History is clear—after valuation extremes, Real assets outperform through preservation, not speculation.FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN 2026 - OECD OUTLOOKThe latest OECD Economic Outlook (December 2025) revealed that the global economy has proved resilient last year, even though fragilities remain, with a range of risks including "elevated policy uncertainty and rising barriers to trade". According to the organization's forecasts, global GDP growth is projected to slow down from 3.2 percent in 2025 to 2.9 percent in 2026. As our infographic shows, among G20 economies (together accounting for around 80 percent of global GDP), some countries are expected to continue growing at a pace well above the average.India tops the list, with a real GDP growth expected to exceed 6 percent again this year (6.7 in 2025; 6.2 in 2026), driven by robust domestic demand, digital transformation andmanufacturing growth. Indonesia follows at 5.0 percent (rate in 2025 and 2026), leveraging its young workforce and commodity exports. China, though facing structural slowdowns, remains a key player with 4.4 percent economic growth projected this year (after 5.0 percent in 2025). Saudi Arabia follows closely at 4.0 percent, buoyed by oil revenues and ambitious economic diversification efforts under the "Vision 2030" national planTOP COUNTRIES HOLDING RARE EARTH IN THE GLOBALWorld's Largest Rare Earth Reserves. Rare earths are crucial for EVs, wind turbines, smartphones, batteries, and defense tech. They are heavily concentrated:China holds nearly half the world’s known reserves and even more dominance in actualmining and refining (~85–90% of processed rare earths). This concentration is a majorstrategic vulnerability for the West, driving efforts to develop alternatives. Greenland’sreserves are increasingly in focus especially with US interest in Arctic resources.Download the full report for deeper market insightsDownload