The preliminary investment volumes for the CEE region for Q1 2020 have reached ca. €3.7 billion, despite the onset of COVID-19 in CEE at the beginning of March. This volume was significantly boosted by the ca. €1.3 billion acquisition of the Residomo portfolio in the Czech Republic by Heimstaden, however, it still represents a y-o-y growth of 68% over Q1 2019 (ca. €2.2 billion) and 28% over Q1 2018 (ca. €2.9 billion).

In its first of a series of global sentiment surveys, Savills has assessed the initial impact of COVID-19 on transactional and occupier markets around the world, with 67% of countries currently reporting a moderate negative impact, and 29% citing a severely negative impact.

Even though it is too early to estimate precisely, the pandemic of COVID-19 will certainly have an impact on the global economy and, the probability of a global recession in 2020 is considered high. It appears that we will witness consecutive declines in global and regional GDP in the current and next quarter of 2020.  CBS International, a member of Cushman & Wakefield Alliance, summarized the potential implications of the COVID-19 crisis on the Serbian property market.

Arcadis published the annual results of the international construction costs comparison (International Construction Costs 2020). Arcadis ICC Index 2020 monitors 100 cities around the world, assessing their construction costs and market conditions. This year's study also includes an insight into the construction industry in view of the current coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing climate change. According to the ICC Index 2020, Prague has higher construction costs in the CEE region than Warsaw (Poland), Belgrade (Serbia), Bucharest (Romania) and Sofia (Bulgaria), but lower than Zagreb (Croatia).  

Property Forum’s next virtual event will take a closer look at the immediate and long-term effects of the coronavirus lockdown of real estate financing in CEE. Hear the economic outlook of Commerzbank’s Senior EM Strategist and listen to the discussion of influential bankers. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions and share their personal experiences.

The coronavirus pandemic could be the catalyst for increased working from home in the future, a survey by Colliers International has revealed.

The business environment in China was the first hit by the COVID-19 epidemic, but the fast decrease of new cases in the past weeks brings hope for recovery in the second half of the year, with a positive impact on the real estate market as well. Based on China’s evolution, a similar outcome could be expected in Romania too, mainly driven by e-commerce, after the outbreak peak is surpassed and the number of new cases drops. Moreover, the current situation can bring growth opportunities for certain industries including segments of the real estate market, according to Colliers International.

As the global pandemic progresses across borders and within countries, Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA market research experts shared what they are seeing on the ground in their countries.

Subsequent to NEPI Rockcastle’s previous updates concerning the impact of the COVID-19 on its operations, there have been significant developments around the COVID-19 situation. As governments, national authorities and companies continue to implement rigorous measures, there is a high degree of uncertainty about the impact of this on the Group’s operations. As a result, NEPI Rockcastle withdraws its earnings guidance for 2020 and expects to provide an update when the Group will be in a position to estimate the effects of the current situation reliably.

This week, the European construction industry calls for urgent measures to protect workers’ health, support economic activity and accelerate the recovery.