Eight regionally renowned experts discussed real estate investment strategies for the post-COVID-19 world at the online edition of CEE Property Forum 2020, organised by Property Forum and RICS. We summarised the highlights of the discussion, moderated by Luke Dawson, Managing Director & Head of Capital Markets CEE at Colliers International.

JLL announced the first edition of the Sofia City Report, a semiannual publication which provides a detailed view of specific real estate markets in Sofia: office, retail and warehouses. It offers information on the economic situation in Bulgaria, including the investment climate. The report was made with the support of IPC Partners Bulgaria.

Student.com, the world’s leading marketplace for international student housing, and Bonard, the global market research experts for student housing, see 2020 as a year of change, as international students have broken with traditional ways of booking student accommodation. Changes in demand, room type and lead time have all taken place as the world and the global higher education sector figure out the ‘new normal’.

Members of Generation Z have been shaped by a number of social, economic and technological factors and developments taking place during their formative years. How do they differ from previous generations? What are the challenges associated with Zoomers’ entering the workforce? A new report by Cushman & Wakefield and Antal tried to answer these questions.

Knight Frank’s Active Capital 2020 finds that cross-border investment into safe-haven locations and ‘near-neighbours’ are set to dominate global capital flows in 2021, as COVID-19 shifts trends in real estate investment and global mobility. 

The Polish economy is already past the low point of the short-term economic activity downturn. However, the construction industry is not at this point yet as it responds to economic shocks after a certain time period. This is why the first half of 2021 will be marked by challenges. The market pins its hopes on the new EU financial envelope, but a tangible effect on the investment volume will not become apparent before H2 2021.

JLL announced the next stage in its ambitious sustainability program by committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all JLL-occupied buildings by 2030. The firm also advocates a net zero approach for all its clients and suppliers.

The amendment to the Construction Law in Poland came into force on 19 September. Changes include a division of project documentation, organization of the provisions which specify what works require a building permit, and legislation on unauthorized construction, and in the opinion of experts from JLL, ought to be of benefit to investors, developers and construction companies operating on the Polish market.

In the second quarter of 2020, Echo Investment generated a net profit of €2.3 million (PLN 10.4 million), which mainly resulted from the appreciation in the value of projects under construction and the handover of 222 apartments to buyers.

Globalworth’s revenue and net operating income rose by 9.9% to €114.0 million and by 17.1% to €79.6 million as compared to H1 2019, respectively, mainly due to the acquisition of standing properties in Poland and completion of the development of properties in Romania. Globalworth has published its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.