Thursday, April 3, 2008

Real estate investment trusts emerging in India

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) India’s booming realty space is increasingly seeing the emergence of real estate investment trusts (REITs) as one of the most viable options for raising funds, a leading industry body says. The global REITs market is set to become a $70 billion market by 2010 and emerging in a big way in India and other developing nations, says a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (Crisil).

The emergence of REITs in the Indian real estate industry will also enable developers attract retail as well as corporate investors, according to the study.

“Currently only venture capital funds have been allowed to offer real estate funds,” said Assocham president Venugopal N. Dhoot in statement Thursday.

In the Indian context REITs can help provide an exit route for developers to revolve funds more efficiently.

This will also provide opportunities to retail investors to participate in the real estate sector and provide asset diversification to corporate investors, besides building a vibrant secondary real estate market.

At present, the global REITs market comprises 491 trusts across 19 countries of which US accounts for over half the share, followed by Australia.

Australia’s market is not stringently regulated compared to other global REIT systems, evidenced by there being no listing requirements, gearing or interest coverage limits, limits on developments and restrictions on diversification and ownership or management.


http://www.thaindian.com/

US real estate company sells Master Franchise for Angola

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, a US based real estate company, has sold its Master Franchise for Angola. Two Portugal based company's, Gestipromo-Prestacao de Serviços de Promoção de Vendas e Marketing and Crismonte-Sociedade de Mediacao Imobiliaria, have become joint partners to buy the Century 21 Angola Master Franchise rights.

"My team and I are excited to bring the Century 21 brand to our country," said Fernando Guerreiro da Ponte, Director of Century 21 Angola. "We look forward to leveraging the outstanding systems and tools that Century 21 has developed over the past three decades, and creating a network that delivers the dream of home ownership to people throughout Angola."

Tom Kunz, Century 21 Real Estate LLC President and CEO, adds: "The addition of Angola to the Century 21 System is a tremendous step for this brand, and we look forward to growing our global footprint. The Century 21 System has made international growth one of its key initiatives and establishing this agreement in Angola is another positive step toward that goal."


http://www.franchise-international.net/