World Property Ranking

Ranking by Knight Frank and Citi Private Bank, in the 2011 Wealth Report, of the world's top cities for property investment.  This is based on four factors :  Economic Activity, Political Power, Quality of Life, Knowledge and Influence.

Rank
1. New York                  
2. London                        
3. Paris
4. Tokyo
5. Brussels
6. Los Angeles
7. Singapore
8. Beijing
9. Toronto
10. Berlin

Property - Best asset class in America

FORTUNE magazine's April 2011 cover story about property as the most attractive asset class in America.
(i) Dramatic drop in new construction resulted in historically low new inventory
(ii) Steep decline in prices, average 30% below peak of 2006.
(iii) Property prices currently low because of low demand, driven by economy/jobs.  Once job creation and consumer confidence improves, prices will increase.

Visit us at Castle Avenue Partners - Manhattan investment property

Manhattan Q1 2011 market report CONDOs

The media is reporting Manhattan Q1 prices down 10%, driven by higher mix of coops vs condos.  The median price of a condo is about 2X that of a coop.

Here is the full Manhattan Q1 2011 market report.  

Specific to condos:

Median price up 8% vs last year.

Avg price per sf up 5.4% vs last year.

Ten Ways To Beat Inflation - Forbes

Great chart comparing real estate investment vs other options in terms of beating inflation.

TRATEGY	ANNUAL EXPENSES, BASIS POINTS1	HAZARD	TAX TREATMENT2
FOREIGN EXCHANGE3	76	COSTS	BAD
GOLD ETF4	26	NEW SUPPLIES	TOLERABLE
HOME5	20	REAL ESTATE CRASH	VERY GOOD
JUNK BOND ETF6	40	DEFAULTS	DREADFUL
MORTGAGE7	20	DEFLATION	GOOD
REAL RETURN FUND8	73	DEFLATION	TOLERABLE
RESOURCE STOCKS	0	BUSINESS RISK	TOLERABLE
SOCIAL SECURITY POSTPONEMENT	0	CONGRESSIONAL DOUBLE CROSS	GOOD
TIPS	0	RISING REAL RATES	BAD
TREASURY LADDER	0	HYPERINFLATION	BAD

¹ANNUAL HOLDING COST PLUS A TENTH OF ROUND-TRIP TRANSACTION COST. ASSUMES TREASURYS BOUGHT AT AUCTION. A BASIS POINT IS 0.01%.²IF ASSET IS OUTSIDE A TAX-SHELTERED ACCOUNT. ³COST SHOWN IS FOR POWERSHARES BEARISH DOLLAR ETF. ⁴ISHARES GOLD TRUST. ⁵REALTOR AND CLOSING COSTS ONLY, APPLIED TO A PORTION OF HYPOTHETICAL SALES PRICE. ⁶SPDR HIGH YIELD. ⁷CLOSING COSTS ONLY. ⁸FIDELITY STRATEGIC REAL RETURN.