CB Richard Ellis Group reports European property investment activity reached record level in third quarter 2007

Total investment in European real estate rose 24% to approximately €65bn in the third quarter of 2007, as compared with the third quarter of 2006. This high level of activity was achieved despite the more challenging financing environment that emerged over the summer.

Investment activity remained generally strong across the entire European market. France, in particular, saw strong investment activity with almost €8bn transacted in the third quarter compared with €4.6bn in the same period last year. As a result, year-to-date investment activity in France has reached €21.5bn, nearly matching the level for all of 2006.

In the UK, third quarter 2007 activity was a robust €20bn, on a par with the level in recent years. Central London activity continued to account for the largest share of activity - €10.7bn in total - with foreign buyers responsible for approximately €5.86bn of acquisitions in this market.

Jonathan Hull, Executive Director of EMEA Investment, said, "The strength of the third quarter suggests that while the credit squeeze has had some impact, we have continued to see high levels of investment activity in Europe. However, some deals that were finalised in the third quarter were initiated before the credit difficulties surfaced."

He continued, "While there is evidence to suggest that some of the largest deals are requiring more effort to finance, deal activity between €50 to €150m, where debt does not need to be securitised, remains robust. We are continuing to see strong capital flows across the European markets."

Nick Axford, Executive Director of EMEA Research & Consulting, added, "The other notable trend over recent months is the re-emergence of equity-driven investors who are unaffected by more stringent lending standards. We expect to see increasing amounts of equity-based capital targeting key European markets in the months ahead."