European hotels attract investors

European hotels attract investors for stable values

Real estate investors will invest more money this year in the purchase of hotels in Europe than in the U.S. because European hotels managed to maintain its value due to poor construction, writes Bloomberg.

Acquisitions of hotels in Europe will amount to a total of about 5.5 billion in 2010 compared with 4.5 billion in North and South America, predicted by the consulting firm Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. The transaction is expected to form in the U.S. about 90 percent of all purchases in the Americas, cited by London-based company for services in the field of investment in hotels.

Last year prices fell hotels in the U.S. than in Europe, as new buildings have increased the number of properties on the market, according to Real Capital Analytics Inc. However occupancy levels and room rates in Europe rose faster than America, led by Germany and France.

"In most American cities, if you can not get a hotel you want, you just have to wait 12 to 18 months and will be able to buy one that is being built now and is exactly what you want," said David Mongo, President and Founder of London-based investment banking company Avington Financial Ltd.

In Europe under way are projects to build 587 hotels with a total of just over 100 thousand rooms, according to analysis from December 2009 to STR Global. The U.S. plans are to be built hotels with a total of 3829 just over four hundred and one thousand room.

"The properties in Europe are more expensive, but tends to lose its value less because it is much more difficult to find a replacement asset," says Mongo.

Transactions this year is expected to grow more rapidly in the U.S. than in Europe because investment in the U.S. in 2009 were much less. The total cost for the U.S. is projected to increase more than twice that 2.1 billion dollars last year, while Europe is expected rise 25 percent to 4.4 billion dollars.

Employment in Europe increased 61% to 58% in the U.S. - 56% to 54%, according to the company in Tennessee based on studies in the field of hospitality Smith Travel Research Inc. The price per room per day in the U.S. fell 2 percent to 97.18 dollars, while Europe has registered a growth of 1.9 percent to 97 euros.

Greatest American Trust for investment in hotel properties by market capitalization - Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., In July announced the purchase of hotel Le Meridien Piccadilly in London, which has 266 rooms, 64 million pounds. 95% of the rooms of the company in the U.S..

"Many European markets have a very high barrier to entry for new construction, explains Gregory Larson, Executive Vice President Corporate Strategy at Host Hotels. "This limited growth in supply in the future. Such asset markets tend to retain high value, which in terms of the owner of the hotel is perfectly obvious. "

Chain Hyatt Hotels Corp., Controlled by Chicago Pritsker family, expected to have a higher share of rooms abroad than in the U.S. within the next 10 years, announced in January, its chief executive Mark Hoplamazyan. Company is looking for acquisitions in Italy and Spain.

Listnatata London company for real estate investments Redefine International Plc, formerly known as Ciref Plc, announced last month that it had bought five Holiday Inn hotels in London by the British operator Splendid Hotel Group for over 106 million pounds. Redefine considering other properties in London and other European cities.

As another advantage of Europe shows that markets are more diverse and less susceptible to overall economic crisis in December said Arthur Haas, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in July. Properties in countries such as France and Germany as well as in cities like London, has done "reasonably well" even when global economies shrugged last year, he added.

Many U.S. hotels, bought in 2006 and 2007 peak years were financed with a high percentage of debt, which has an additional pressure on the value.

"The European market fell so much in 2008 and 2009 and remained in liquidity from the U.S.. Also in Europe there is more capital. Overall debt levels in Europe are lower, "says Haas December.

Housing Markets in Scandinavia

Housing prices in Sweden, Finland and Norway can be thrown, which would put some of the strongest recoveries in Europe and threaten to return to their economies in recession.

The property market in Sweden could fall as 20 percent of borrowers with loans biggest difficulty with the payment of its debts, which are up to 46 times greater than their disposable income, considered by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The Central Bank of Norway said that low interest rates carry a risk of overheating of the property and credit markets in the country while in Finland said the housing market might be shaped balloon.

"I am very worried," said in an interview with Finnish Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen. 'Maybe there is a housing bubble in Finland. There is a risk that mortgage costs are too low. "

Housing prices in the three countries increased last year, although their economies are shrugged, and unemployment rose, sparking imbalances that must now be corrected. Higher interest rates in Sweden may lead to failure of some borrowers, said the RBS. The cost of loans in Finland, a member of the euro area does is determined by the European Central Bank, which makes more difficult the management of the local economy.

Housing prices in Swedish, the largest northern economy grew by 7% annually for the three months to July, which is the 15th consecutive period of increase. In Norway, it has risen by 19.6 percent from the end of 2008 until the past quarter. In Finland the prices of existing homes rose by 10% annually the past quarter, having recorded growth of 11.4 percent for the three months to the end of March.

Lars Magnusson, Director of the National Board to guarantee loans to the Swedish Finance Ministry, said in an interview a few days ago that housing in the country will lose a fifth of its value in the coming three to five years.

"A drop of 20% would probably cause or contribute to the deepening of re-recession," said Parr Magnusson, chief economist for RBS economies in northern Stockholm. "Re-recession may occur in all cases, the deterioration of international conditions for growth."

Liabilities of households in Sweden have equal 167% of disposable income at the end of last year to 104 percent a decade ago, according to calculations of the Riksbank. In Finland, this ratio has increased to 107% at the end of last year from 65 percent in 2000, according to central bank data. In Norway, the debt ratio is expected to increase to 197% of disposable income this year, which would have increased by 14.5 points compared to 2005, calculated by Norges Bank.

The main interest of the ECB of 1% may be inadequate for the needs of the Finnish economy.

"To prevent balonizirane would be better, of course, if Finland could become self-determined monetary policy," said Mikko Force, an economist at Roubini Global Economics in London. "Yet this is not enough in itself, as they say and the central banks in Sweden and Norway. Regulation is perhaps the best tool. "

Otherwise, the three economies are about to commemorate one of the most successful recovery in the EU. Finland's GDP may grow by 1.5 percent this year after declining from 8 percent in 2009, according to government estimates. In Sweden the central bank expects economic growth from 3.8 percent this year after last year's contraction of 5.1 percent. GDP in mainland Norway will increase by 1.75 percent this year after a decline of 1.6 percent last, predicted the central bank there.

According to RBS, however, risks to the real estate market today are greater than before the credit crisis, as well as households are more indebted and less unprotected from interest changes.

Decline of construction in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is among the countries with the largest decline in construction in June

For the tenth consecutive month Bulgaria ranks in the top three EU countries with the largest decline in new construction. This show Eurostat data for the construction sector of the EU in June.In this month Bulgaria reported 17.5% decline on an annual basis in its new building.

Larger decreases in June recorded only Hungary and Slovenia. Since September last year, Bulgaria every month located among the three countries, where annual new construction declined the most. The largest decline recorded our country in December, when the index plummeted 33.3% yoy.

A monthly basis (compared to May) the new construction in Bulgaria, however, reported growth of 0.2 percent. This corresponds with a monthly increase of construction in the EU from 3.5%. In some countries such as Romania, is adjusted monthly growth of over 16%.

Steady increase compared to May shows and new construction in Spain, which increased by over 7 percent (and annual - with more than 18%). Zhilishshtniyat sector of the country suffer even before the economy went into recession. This led to a decline in property prices, financial problems for many construction companies and growth in unemployment among Spaniards - currently the second highest after that in Latvia.

Pan-European data show that annually, on a monthly basis and there is growth in constructing a building within the EU. Over the past 12 months the new building is maintained primarily by infrastructure projects, while construction of buildings declined dramatically.

Therefore, these data can be taken as a signal that investment in property recovered smoothly after declined substantially in 2009 In June, constructing a building in the EU increased by 7.5% annually, but growth in the euro area is 6.4 cent.

Some of the most expensive real estate markets - such as the British already seen a small increase in housing prices. According to GDP data express the EU economy has expanded in the second quarter by 1.7% yoy. This is the biggest growth in gross product of the union since the economic crisis.

Despite these statistics, some analyst companies such as Yurokonstrakt "not optimistic. A month ago the agency launched an analysis in which the expected construction sector in Europe to shrink this year.

In 19 European countries with the largest construction market is expected to decline in the sector of 4% by end of 2010 because the suspension of state aid and the economy slow recovery. The construction sector in these countries declined by 3.1 percent in 2008 to 8.8 percent in 2009 and is expected to start growing before 2011, according to economists' Yurokonstrakt.

Garden Therapy

Some have a green thumb and forget all the problems taking care of plants and flowers in a garden or a terrace. But even those who have never tried it, can try this therapy, achieving great advantages.

The Garden Therapy, or ortoterapia, is a genuine alternative medicine for 'soul and body.
Founded in 1300 when Irish monks tended gardens to combat depression, but is now used throughout the world, especially in rehabilitating people with Alzheimer's, disabled and as supportive therapy in the treatment of addictions.
This form of natural medicine has proved very useful in treating forms of stress and anxiety, more and more present today.
Busy with a piece of land or of any vessel combines an excellent exercise to practice relaxation.
In addition, the garden ol 'garden requires constant care that requires commitment and passion.
Verder satisfaction from growing the plants and nurtures a deep trust even the most pessimistic.

Herbs
If you are new to gardening, but want to use this method as stress, one can begin to cultivate herbs: they are the most robust and easy to grow even on the balcony.
Their scent communicate messages that awaken awareness and invite you to establish a relationship with them.

In one corner of the balcony, try putting those most important to health: melissa sleeping good for digestion, marjoram, thyme against bronchitis, rosemary to have more energy.