This is one of the predictions featured in an overview of the emirate’s real estate market published by the Dubai Chronicle, which noted there was an increase in the number of transactions in the residential sector in the final quarter of 2011, compared to the previous three-month period.

While rents for offices in prime locations remained broadly stable during this timeframe, the secondary market struggled with oversupply and weakening demand, the publication stated.

According to the news provider, Dubai’s residential real estate industry is in a better position because "stronger demand fundamentals are sustained by solid population growth".

Last month, Jones Lang LaSalle highlighted villa developments as more favourable investments than flats, noting the former are "generally expected to outperform apartments this year".

The firm was optimistic there will be an increase in the number of transactions completed in the United Arab Emirate’s real estate market during 2012, with private investors and high net worth individuals expected to account for a larger proportion of purchases.
 

According to managing director of Currency Index Robin Haynes, those who are keen to invest in real estate in the south European nation could benefit from the strength of the British pound.

"Overseas property buyers should rest assured that the single currency devaluation will mean that they will currently be able to get over eight per cent more for their money than if they were buying euros in July last year," he stated.

The firm noted the highest proportion of its currency transactions were sent to Spain in 2011, indicating the nation has not lost its appeal among tourists and expats.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at Travelsupermarket, recently highlighted Spain’s popularity as a holiday destination, which may bode well for anyone investing in a rental property in the country.

He noted it is "cheap" and "accessible" for Brits and, in the current climate, Spain offers good value for money, especially for families.

This is according to Thomas Elisian of Paris Attitude Vente, who told the Telegraph overseas buyers are "increasingly willing to look at ‘newer’ neighbourhoods if they can get an advantageous deal".

Among the districts that may interest investors looking for a French property are the tenth, 17th and 15th arrondissements.

Managing director of Sifex Sarah Francis told the newspaper that real estate assets in the tenth arrondissement experienced capital appreciation of ten per cent over the course of 2011.

The Canal St Martin and Boulevard Magenta are just two areas that have been singled out as sought-after addresses in the district.

It seems it is not only residential property that is attracting investors to Paris, with a recent Jones Lang LaSalle report highlighting the city’s popularity for commercial real estate deals.

The French capital was the third most-active market for global property deals in the final quarter of 2011, with only London and New York experiencing higher transaction volumes.

However, CoreLogic noted in its December House Price Index that, excluding distressed sales, the cost of buying a home in the nation only fell by 0.9 per cent.

Mark Fleming, chief economist at the firm, commented: "While overall prices declined by almost five per cent in 2011, non-distressed prices showed only a small decrease. Until distressed sales in the market recede, we will see continued downward pressure on prices."

There are some states where the value of residential real estate climbed last year, even when distressed assets were taken into account.

Montana experienced the biggest increase at 4.4 per cent, while Vermont, South Dakota, Nebraska and New York also saw property values climb by between 1.7 and four per cent.

Research published by the National Association of Realtors in January revealed pending home sales in the US fell by 3.5 per cent in December, compared to the previous month, but that they still remain 5.6 per cent higher than at the same time in 2010.
 

Danny Kinnoch, international investment director at Savills, commented that buyers who are not relying on finance from banks will be able to take advantage of some of the best deals on offer.

He stated: "There is scope for strong returns assuming market recovery over the medium term, which will keep international players acquisitive."

Meanwhile, debt sales of such Spanish real estate assets will provide chances for "opportunistic investors", Mr Kinnoch added.

Savills has predicted that yields in the country’s retail property sector will be steady over the course of 2012, with returns currently standing at 6.5 per cent for prime shopping centres and seven per cent for prime retail parks.

Research published by Jones Lang LaSalle last month revealed the volume of investment in Europe’s retail sector was expected to break the €28 billion (£23 billion) mark in 2011, a significant increase over the €20.7 billion recorded in 2010.
 

According to TheMoveChannel, searches for real estate in the island nation jumped by 2.8 per cent at the start of 2012, compared to the final month of 2011.

Director of the firm Dan Johnson explained some investors are looking for alternatives to the more popular markets of Spain and the US.

"With its building tourist numbers and relatively un-crowded real estate market, Cape Verde’s imbalance between supply and demand is seeing these buyers turn to somewhere smaller in the hope of bigger returns," he stated.

Last month, The Heritage Foundation 2012 Index of Economic Freedom highlighted Cape Verde’s strengths as a place to do business, noting it is ranked fourth in Sub-Saharan Africa based on its economic credentials.

The organisation commented private property is "fairly well protected" and revealed the investment climate in the nation has become more favourable over the past year.
 

The banks will also have to increase their provisions against Spanish real estate losses to between 35 and 80 per cent, depending on the asset class or type of loan in question, the government announced.

A deadline of the end of December 2012 has been set by the country’s politicians for the changes, however, financial organisations that choose to merge will be given additional time to raise the funds.

Speaking at a news conference about the reforms, economy minister Luis de Guindos commented: "The aim is for housing to come on to the market and for Spanish banks, by being cleaner, stronger and more transparent, to be able to extend credit, which is something that’s not happening at the moment," Bloomberg reported.

Banco Santander recently announced it had made provisions of €1.8 billion to cover its anticipated losses on its property portfolio.

Chief executive of the firm Alfredo Saenz told AFP the business had taken the measures – which significantly lowered the bank’s 2011 profits – in anticipation of legislation to this effect being announced by the government.
 

This is according to Malcolm Horne, chief executive officer of Broll Property Group, who is confident demand for properties to rent in the nation will pick up, thereby reducing the amount of vacant space on the market.

A yearly report published by the company predicted income from commercial properties in South Africa will rise, while capitalisation rates will become steadier.

Speaking to SA Commercial Prop News, he commented: "The South African property fundamentals remain strong, landlords and tenants have become more educated about the costs involved and the pressure is on all to find effective means to reduce operating costs."

Last month, head of capital markets at Jones Lang LaSalle South Africa Andrew Bradford asserted investors in the nation are better off purchasing existing buildings, rather than ploughing their money into new developments.

He explained expenses associated with established assets are usually considerably lower than with new builds, while there is also less hassle and more predictability over a deal’s timeline when opting for finished projects.
 

Head of valuations and consulting at DTZ Echinox Bogdan Sergentu explained the amount of money invested in Romanian real estate dropped by 13 per cent in 2011, compared to the previous year.

Bucharest was the main target for those seeking such assets in the country, with developments in the city accounting for six out of the 13 transactions completed last year.

Mr Sergentu added 69 per cent of the total investment volume for 2011 was spent on mixed-use developments, despite a greater number of deals being agreed in the retail sector.

However, it appears the new year has started well for the nation’s commercial real estate sector, with Romania Business Insider reporting this week (February 2nd) that New Europe Property Investment – a South African-based fund – has purchased the City Business Center in Timisoara.

The complex comprises three office buildings, with two more premises still to be constructed.

Managing director for Jones Lang LaSalle in Romania Troy Javaher explained it is the "first major institutional office transaction outside Bucharest".

Steve Long, chief executive officer of CasaCalida Property Group, has highlighted several attractions that make the Spanish region stand out.

Among them are Europe’s largest shopping mall, a new continental airport and the proposed development of the Paramount theme park.

Mr Long commented: "I have been telling people for years that Murcia is the best place in Spain, if not in Europe, to invest in property."

He added there are comparatively few Spanish real estate developments on the market in the area, which means demand will far outweigh supply should the projected visitor numbers – of three to five million tourists each year – for the new amusement park prove to be correct.

In December last year, Proyectos Emblematicos Murcianos SA, the promoter behind the Paramount attraction, announced it would complete the purchase of the land required for the project on February 6th.