Real estate industry
The rate of decline in home prices slowed significantly in February, a sign the housing market might be stabilizing, analysts said Tuesday. While home prices were still falling, they didn't tumble at their recent pace in February, according to a report released by Standard & Poor's
Real estate industry
The recent budget announcements, despite welcoming investments in the environmental economy and green housing, have been met with disappointment by the Human City Institute (HCI). The Institute had hoped for a more ambitious plan to tackle global warming and fuel poverty by retro-fitting the UK's housing stock, which
Real estate industry
Major banks in Australia have made significant adjustments to their interest rates for fixed mortgages, amidst market expectations of a possible cash interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). ANZ Banking Group has lowered its two-year fixed mortgage rate by 20 basis points, while Westpac and Commonwealth
Real estate industry
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is increasing interest rates on its fixed rate mortgages, despite widespread criticism from the government and industry players over the banking sector's failure to pass on the full amount of interest rate cuts to customers. The bank's move comes as the
Real estate industry
Australia's recent interest rate cuts have led to a housing market boom, with Sydney property prices increasing by 1.3% and Melbourne by 1.1% in the last quarter alone. These low interest rates have created an environment where borrowers can take advantage of low variable rates, but
Real estate industry
As gold prices continue to rise and investor interest grows, mutual fund houses are seizing the opportunity to launch gold-related schemes. Kotak Mutual Fund is set to introduce its second gold fund, while Sundaram BNP Paribas AMC and SBI Funds Management are gearing up to add gold fund products to
Real estate industry
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) sees scope to cut interest rates further if needed, with domestic economic growth expected to fall in 2009 due to a global economic downturn. RBA deputy governor Ric Battellino said Australia was better placed to ride a revival in the global economy, with some
Real estate industry
China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development have jointly launched a solar photovoltaic (PV) roof plan, granting a 20 yuan/watt-peak subsidy to eligible solar PV projects. The subsidy can cover more than 30 per cent of the cost, with a total budget of
Real estate industry
The Middle East region is taking a serious stance against the environmental impact of buildings, with construction projects accounting for 50 per cent of regional carbon emissions. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is at the forefront of the movement, hosting a conference program at the 11th Water Technology, Energy
Real estate industry
The North Kesteven district council in the UK is set to become the first local authority to build homes from straw, with the villages of Martin and Waddington earmarked for two semi-detached homes designed by specialists Amazonails. The high insulation levels and reduced building costs of straw as a construction
Real estate industry
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of Abu Dhabi's key cultural, residential, and tourism destinations, has received triple-A credit ratings from Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings, solidifying its strong financial position backed by the Abu Dhabi Government. This high
Real estate industry
Japan's top general contractors are expected to win significantly fewer condominium orders this fiscal year, with combined orders projected to drop by 30% from 2007 levels, totaling 846 billion yen (US$8.6 billion). The decline is largely attributed to a decline in demand following a series of
