Urban Real Estate Investment

Real Estate and Urban Development in South America uncovers how investors are navigating South American real estate markets in commercial, residential and infrastructure development. A preferred location for real estate development during the colonial era, in recent decades South America has been seen as high-risk for global real estate investors. This book explores the strengths and weaknesses of real estate markets in the region, concluding that with careful implementation of the correct development strategies, the region can once again take its place at the centre stage of global real estate investment. Comparing the economics and market maturity of South American countries in turn, the authors draw out the particular contexts in which investors and developers operate in mature and emerging markets. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, analysis of local development policies, legislation, valuation methods and taxation is supplemented with case studies from key players in the region’s major cities. The first full overview of real estate markets in South America, this book will be an essential guide for investors, policy makers, academics and students with an interest in this this rapidly evolving region.

The basic forces that drive societal change--from demographic shifts, to advances in technology, and transitions in economic functions--have influenced the shape of cities throughout history. This book explains America's urban renaissance and establishes a framework to understand and capitalize on the range of real estate opportunities available in cities across the country. Cities are classified into four categories of development potential. The result of the analysis is an important and inspiring conclusion that goes to the heart of this book: that every American city, irrespective of its economy, market dynamic, and geography, has unique real estate opportunities and potential for progress. A big-picture view of urban America, this book covers prospects for each major urban property type. It analyzes four key categories of cities and discusses specific metropolitan areas in terms of their real estate investment potential. It covers investment strategies and capital sources, explains 13 trends that are converging to create a paradigm shift in urban America, and provides real-world case studies that demonstrate how to make forward-thinking real estate decisions.

Urban sustainability has become a political and social agenda of global significance, of which real estate is an integral dimension. Sustainable urban development includes much more than ‘green building’ standards, yet in practice, other aspects such land use plans and locations are often overlooked. This book demonstrates that the issue of sustainable development stretches far beyond the hitherto dominating agenda based on ‘green’ (i.e. environmentally and ecologically sustainable) buildings. In doing so, it presents a novel framework based on the concept of economic sustainability of real estate locations, drawing connections with the global financial crisis and housing price bubble discourse. It argues for the need to better integrate social, cultural and economic dimensions into the real estate sustainability agenda. It also explores the role of location, and especially the image aspect therein. Trends in consumer choice are important to the way these dimensions are appreciated in decisions about investment, development, valuation and other activities of the production, consumption and governance of the built environment. This book will be of interest to private and public sector practitioners of real estate valuation as well as scholars of urban studies, geography, economics, urban planning and environmental studies.

“This superbly succinct and incisive book couldn’t be more timely or urgent.” —Michael Sorkin, author of All Over the Map Our cities are changing. Around the world, more and more money is being invested in buildings and land. Real estate is now a $217 trillion dollar industry, worth thirty-six times the value of all the gold ever mined. It forms sixty percent of global assets, and one of the most powerful people in the world—the president of the United States—made his name as a landlord and developer. Samuel Stein shows that this explosive transformation of urban life and politics has been driven not only by the tastes of wealthy newcomers, but by the state-driven process of urban planning. Planning agencies provide a unique window into the ways the state uses and is used by capital, and the means by which urban renovations are translated into rising real estate values and rising rents. Capital City explains the role of planners in the real estate state, as well as the remarkable power of planning to reclaim urban life.

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the role of property investment and development in the urban regeneration process. It relates the physical, economic, financial and environmental aspects of urban change and development to the realities of particular cities by case studies drawn from Britain and Europe.

Back in the days of the wild, Wild West, when easterners traveled across this vast country looking for opportunity in the newly opened territories, they were often referred to as a ‘tenderfoot’. This wasn’t a complimentary term but it was a rather apt one. The easterners wore ‘city’ shoes that weren’t designed to withstand the rigors of the western terrain. Their hats didn’t have wide brims to protect them from the sun and their clothing wasn’t made of tough material like denim. These new westerners didn’t know how to take care of themselves and because they didn’t know where and what the dangers were they didn’t have any idea how to avoid them. If you are just beginning to consider the idea of investing in real estate you are a tenderfoot and you do need some instruction to avoid losing your shirt...and probably your pants, hat and boots, as well. First you will need to determine what your strategy will be in real estate investing. Do you want to buy a property, fix it up and sell it quickly or do you want to buy a property, hold it and wait for the market to increase? Do you want to deal with renters? All of these questions are ones that you need to answer before you invest in any piece of real estate.

If you're interested in real estate investing, you may have noticed the lack of coverage it gets in mainstream financial media, while stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are consistently touted as the safest and most profitable ways to invest. According to real estate guru Ken McElroy, that's because financial publications, tv and radio programs make the bulk of their money from advertising paid for by the very companies who provide such mainstream financial services. On the other hand, real estate investment is something you can do on your own--without a large amount of money up front. Picking up where he left off in the bestselling ABC's of Real Estate Investing, McElroy reveals the next essential lessons and information that no serious investor can afford to miss. Building on the foundation of real estate investment 101, McElroy tells readers: How to think--and operate--like a real estate mogul How to identify and close expert deals Why multifamily housing is the best real estate investment out there How to surround yourself with a team that will help maximize your money How to avoid paying thousands in taxes by structuring property sales wisely Important projections about the future of real estate investment