Italy’s Residential Market Gains Momentum Italy’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 Selective Italy’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. Outlook Italy’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 Focus The 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 Market For 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. Outlook The 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 Developers India’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 Supply National 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%. Outlook NCR’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