Returns stabilising in commercial property market

CB Richard Ellis Group recently launched its mid-year investment market publication for 2010, which revealed that there has been an improvement in transactional activity in the Irish investment market in the first six months of 2010. A total of €105 million was invested compared to €41.6 million invested in the same period last year and with €92 million invested in the whole year in 2009. A number of these properties were purchased by overseas buyers who heretofore did not invest in the Irish market. The report also showed that total returns from commercial property have now declined 57% from peak-to-trough but are finally showing signs of stabilisation. Although total returns from the Irish commercial property sector declined by a further 1% in the first half of 2010 and rental values remain under some pressure, this deterioration represents a significant improvement on the massive declines experienced in this market since 2008.


There is also strong demand from a range of domestic and overseas buyers for quality property investment properties producing strong income. However, there is a dearth of prime properties being offered for sale and NAMA have not yet brought any investment product to the market. The report also showed that Irish investors have been net sellers of real estate in the UK in the first half of 2010 as they attempt to recoup some or all of their equity and take advantage of the recovery in UK property values.

Marie Hunt, Executive Director at CB Richard Ellis, Ireland who compiled the report said, “The Irish commercial property market is slowly starting to emerge from the biggest downturn it has ever experienced. At more than 57% from peak-to-trough, the decline in Irish commercial total returns in the most recent cycle was more severe than ever experienced in any other previous cycle, primarily as it was caused by an unforeseen liquidity crisis and the withdrawal of foreign credit to Irish banks. However, we have to remember that it is a cycle and based on what we are now seeing on the ground in the Irish commercial property market, it is a cycle we are slowly starting to emerge from”.

Are Parents Spending Enough Time with Their Kids These Days?

More and more people feel concerned about being too busy to spend time with their children. Certainly, many people worry that society is coming up short on this front. As Ellen Galinsky of the Families and Work Institute recently told The New York Times, “I’ve never found a group of parents who believe they are spending enough time with their kids.”


Of course, to ask whether parents spend enough time with their kids implies that there is a correct number of hours one should devote to this job.

Whilst we could always do more, maybe its important to focus on quality rather than quantity - so perhaps 2 hours on the Wii isn't necessarily as good as 1 hour doing something constructive?

Between the decline of housework and the rise of intense parenting, the interactive hours have crept up, pretty much across the board. Even if you’re working full-time, you’re probably spending more time interacting with your kids than your grandmother did.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s enough time. Many of us could turn off the TV and do more. But if we fret that modern parents aren’t spending enough time with their kids, it’s important to note that our forbears were, by this standard, hideous. And most of us don’t think they were. So maybe we’re doing okay too.

Don't forget the humble mobile!

The internet has brought about an unprecedented change in the way in which people conduct business all over the world.


One of the most important advantages of using technology is that time constraints are eliminated. If the time taken between advertising a job and its eventual completion is reduced, all customers are bound to be satisfied, particularly if all parties reduced their costs and hassle in the process.

Although most people and businesses use computers and many use smartphones, not everyone has internet access at all times. However, they do have a mobile phone at all times. Using the internet and SMS messaging, Smarty can provide information to companies at remote locations in real time, creating more business opportunities.

So, whilst more and more people start using the Internet for business and personal reasons, companies that do not adapt accordingly are bound to fall behind. Today customers expect goods and services to be available round the clock, seven days a week, without having to step out of their homes.

At Smarty we use cutting edge technology combined with more traditional methods to ensure everyone gets the best in terms of service and savings. If you are in business and irrespective of whether you are a business-to-business or business-to-consumer company, joining Smarty can only improve your bottom line! Get in touch TODAY to maximize your profits.
http://www.smarty.ie/

Tel. (01) 8451077