As a political bloc in Finland pushes for a federal bill to limit the purchase of real estate to Finns and other European Union citizens, Russians wanting to buy property in their northern neighbor are facing a cold gust of Nordic air.

Though both precedent and political sentiment in Finland give the bill little chance of becoming law, the proposal suggests mixed feelings about Russians, who in 2010 bought more than 400 properties in Finland for a total of 56 million euros ($75 million).

The bill, spearheaded by the Center Party, a bloc that makes up about 18 percent of Finland’s parliament, makes the case for EU-only real estate ownership by citing national security and heritage. It was drafted in November and introduced to parliament this month.

There is little doubt that it’s targeted at Russians, as Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, which aren’t EU nations, are exempted, while Russia, other CIS countries and the countries of the former Yugoslavia would be affected.

Pertti Salolainen, vice chairman of the Finnish parliament’s foreign affairs committee and a member of the National Coalition Party, told The Moscow Times that his party isn’t backing the proposed legislation. The country’s new president, to be sworn in March 1, is a National Coalition member.

“We think that it’s a good thing that there are more Russians buying in Finland,” he said in a telephone interview Friday.

News articles in Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish publication owned by the same company as The Moscow Times, have commented on Russians who “bring revenue to eastern Finland but also arouse suspicions,” as one headline read. According to Salolainen, Russian purchases of homes have raised speculation about money laundering, while at the same time improved the economics of Finland’s east, which had experienced an exodus of Finns.

According to 2010 figures from Finland’s National Land Survey, Russians bought 413 properties in Finland that year, with more than 300 of those purchases concentrated in two regions. There were about 400 properties picked up by Russians in 2009 and 780 properties in 2008, the Land Survey’s Mervi Laitinen said by e-mail.

Though Salolainen’s National Coalition Party doesn’t like the anti-foreigner sentiment in the bill, it does have its own concerns with Russian-Finnish real estate: It wants the Russian government to give Finland “reciprocity” by allowing Finns to buy property close to home.

Since January 2011, when President Dmitry Medvedev banned foreigners from acquiring land in the republic of Karelia and other northwest border areas, Finns have been prohibited from owning property in some of the territories nearest to them.

“We don’t think that [such] large border zones are necessary,” Salolainen said, referring to the buffer that Russia has effectively established between it and Finland.

Finland’s dominant party also wants Russia to make its land registry more transparent, so that it will be easier to determine if Finns can acquire a given property, Salolainen said.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — According to the Illinois Association of Realtors’ (IAR) fourth-quarter 2011 report, Illinois home sales (single family and condominiums) totaled 25,394, up 14.8 percent from 22,114 home sales in the fourth quarter of 2010. The 4Q11 statewide median home sales price was $128,000, down 10.8 percent from $143,500 in 4Q10. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

“For homebuyers who are feeling confident enough to re-enter the housing market, this data shows there is great opportunity for them,” said Loretta Alonzo, CRB, GRI, president of the IAR and broker-owner of Century 21 Alonzo & Associates in La Grange Park. “Growing optimism about the economy and low interest rates generated a lot of interest in real estate in the final part of the year.”

The 4Q11 interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4 percent in the North Central Region, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. It was down from 4.31 percent in the third quarter and also down from 4.44 percent a year ago in 4Q10.

“Looking forward, there is the likelihood that there will be year-over-year sales gains in the state through the first quarter of 2012,” said Dr. Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL) of the University of Illinois. “While we are seeing the time on market for homes decline to less than 10 months, the large foreclosure inventory could create some challenges in the housing market this year.”

In the Chicagoland Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) total home sales (single-family and condominiums) were up 20.4 percent in 4Q11 to 17,321 homes sold compared to 14,392 home sales in 4Q10. The region’s 4Q11 median price was $148,300, down 14 percent from $172,500 in 4Q10.

In the city of Chicago, total home sales (single-family and condominiums) in 4Q11 were up 11.1 percent to 4,225 sales compared to 3,804 sales in 4Q10. The city of Chicago median price was $159,999, down 8.6 percent from $175,000 in 4Q10.

“Chicago continues to show an absorption of properties in the market by aggressive buyers seeking great opportunities to purchase now,” said Realtor Bob Floss, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors and broker-owner of Bob Floss and Son Realty. “The decrease in median price and increase in units sold continues to show the downward pressure distressed sales still have on property values across the city. With interest rates at historic lows, and sellers and buyers looking to make real deals close, 2012 remains an excellent time for first-time, right-size buyers, or investors to get off the fence and make long-term investments in real estate.”

Sixty-one of 98 Illinois counties reporting showed year-over-year home sales increases in 4Q11. Forty-five of 98 counties reported median price increases during the period, including Coles, up 32.6 percent to $90,200; Kankakee, up 8.6 percent to $115,000; Madison, up 1.4 percent to $106,500; Menard, up 39.3 percent to $139,300; Monroe, up 2.1 percent to $165,000; and Whiteside, up 12.5 percent to $85,500.

Sales and price information is generated from a survey of Multiple Listing Service sales reported by 31 participating Illinois Realtor local boards and associations, including Midwest Real Estate Data LLC data as of Jan. 7, 2012, reported for the period Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2011. The Chicagoland PMSA, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, includes the counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

Aldar Properties said on Monday its board will meet this week to talk about asset sales as the Abu Dhabi-developer, bailed out once by the government in 2011, struggles with a property downturn.

Aldar, part owned by the government, said the board will meet Wednesday to consider the sale by the company of certain of its assets as well as other operational matters.

The developer has already sold assets to the Abu Dhabi government, including its Ferrari World theme park and the Yas Marina Formula One circuit.
Abu Dhabi bailed Aldar out in January with a $5.2 billion rescue package in exchange for 2.8 billion dirham ($762 million) in convertible bonds to Mubadala and the sale of properties. Mubadala converted a portion of its bonds earlier this month.

In January, Aldar said it would sell assets worth $1.49 billion to the government to meet debt obligations.

It did not name any specific assets allow for sale but analysts have said these could include properties such as the ‘Yas Hotel’ and some commercial and retail developments under construction.

Aldar shares were down 1.18 % on the Abu Dhabi exchange.

Because of the rupee continues to fight a losing battle against the greenbuck, realty-sector is bucking up on a new trend.

Indians living overseas are now looking back home for some moneymaking gains as the currency market throws up good investment options. 28-year old Kabir Batra is living the great Indian dream in America, a secure job at Siemens, sufficient savings and now it is time for making future investing. And during his holiday trip to Delhi he spotted the right chance in Dwarka.

“I wanted to make a good investment in reality sector but last year I didn’t have enough funds, and this time it is a blessing in disguise as because of depreciating rupee, I am getting deals which are 20 per cent cheaper from last year,” said Kabeer Batra, a NRI.

And as the rupee continues to fight a losing battle against the greenbuck, realty sector is bucking up on a new trend.

“The main demand is coming from Dubai and interestingly new markets like South Africa are also witnessing a new change. Of course traditional markets like US and UK continue to generate demand front the NRI community,” said Anuj Puri, chairman of JLL.

Given that the rupee dollar price equality has resulted in at least 20-25 per cent discount on the project, developers are willing to extend further discount of 10-15 per cent to boost their sales. Many are participating in abroad road shows and have their bets on rupee-weakening further.

“We are looking at Dubai road show to get more sales from the NRI community which is abruptly in action owing to weakening rupee,” said Bandish Ajmera, chairman property exhibition at MCHI.

And while investors like Kabir continue to look for future investments here there is no-denying that for these developers weakening rupee is actually a gaining-strength.

HARRISON COUNTY – Drive anyplace on Highway 90 in Harrison County and you’re bound to see them. Sale-signs are posted on vacant lots up and down the beach-front highway.

A still dull economy and the high cost of post-Katrina insurance have both contributed to an copiousness of beach front property now on the market.

“With the taxes and the insurance, on top of the construction expenses to build up or set back, it’s made it almost infeasible to be able to build back on residential lots on Highway 90. It’s really, very costly. You’re going to have to have deep-pockets to do it,” said Windy Swetman.

Harrison County Supervisor Windy Swetman is also a residential-developer who keeps close tabs on the real estate industry. He says such lots have always been premium property, but elements like the storm and recession are having a detectable impact.

“They’ve always been high-dollar. The difference right at the present is that you have a higher premium on insurance that you’re paying and the recession. So, you’re in a recession, you have higher insurance, the taxes are even there at a high rate for them,” said Swetman.

“What I anticipate happening is the property along Highway 90, for the majority part, is going to become commercial over the next few years,” says Jerry Creel, the community development director for the City of Biloxi.

He says projects like the new McElroy’s will draw other development along the waterfront.

“Right now, we’re in discussions with eight hotels, six restaurants that all desire to situate along the beach. Just the discussion stage right now, but we’ll make some proclamation as those come to fruition,” said Creel.

He says tax credit programs that pardon property taxes for up to seven years are also an incentive for new development.

Needs to realise roughly Rs 3,000 crore to keep to debt decrease target for current financial year.

India’s largest developer by market capitalization, DLF Ltd, is banking on at least two to three big ticket sales in early 2012, to stay to its debt reduction target for the current financial year. The developer needs to realise Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore from noncore asset sales, to attain its 2011-12 goals.

Although the company is still far from the divestment figure it had set, Rajeev Talwar, executive director sounded sure about making it on time. He told Business Standard the developer was expecting a couple of big ticket sales before the current financial year closes.

Besides the much talked Aman-Resorts deal, DLF is looking at a transaction to offload stake in its Pune IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ), sometime early next calendar year, Talwar said. Another deal to sell stake in the Noida IT-SEZ is also in the offing. According to analysts, these three deals could fetch DLF Rs 3,300 crore.

“The Aman hotel sale is only at arm’s-length, but would not conclude this calendar-year. Early next year looks more likely,” said Talwar. The stake sale in Aman will exclude the Delhi hotel (earlier named Lodhi). Analysts said the Aman Resorts sale could be a projected Rs 2,000 crore deal. The Pune-SEZ deal could be worth Rs 900 crore and the stake sale in Noida SEZ could fetch the company between Rs 400 crore and Rs 450 crore.

The company may seem at selling the un-built land of DLF Hotels and Hospitality Ltd (DHHL), again as part of its noncore divestment strategy. “We will try to get the maximum valuation of the sale,” he said.

Earlier this week, DLF acquired an additional 26 per cent stake in its joint venture DLF Hotel Holdings Ltd (DHHL), from Aro Participation Ltd and Splendid Property Company, affiliates of Hilton International, for Rs 120 crore. The joint venture has one Hilton hotel, in Delhi.

Another divestment DLF has initiated is in Galaxy-Mercantile, a JV between DLF Home Developers Ltd and Infrastructure Development Finance Company. Four days ago, DLF announced signing an agreement to divest its entire stake in Galaxy-Mercantile. Galaxy will buy the entire DLF stake in the project for Rs 450 crore over the next 12 to 18 months. DLF has already received the first share of Rs 200 crore from this deal. The balance payment has been linked to various leasing milestones.

As for the SEZ-projects in Pune and Noida, DLF holds 70 per cent in both. The Pune SEZ is a joint venture with Ackruti City. According to Talwar, the company is in talks with Indian and foreign companies to sell its stake in the Pune SEZ. The industry buzz is that international private equity Major Blackstone will buy into DLF’s Pune SEZ. The Noida SEZ asset is a JV with another real estate company, 3C.

In the case of Aman hotels, DLF has got the final-bids from four or five companies. Khazanah, Malaysian government’s wealth fund, is being seen as the most possible buyer. Other prominent bidders include Kingdom Holdings, the company which owns the Four Seasons Hotel, and a Chinese hospitality group, it is learnt.

DLF’s net debt stood at Rs 22,519 crore as the half end of September. It aims to bring down debt to Rs 19,000 crore to Rs 19,500 crore by the end of this financial year, and to Rs 10,000 crore by 2013, through sale of noncore assets.

Washington is getting ready to sell off state assets to increase painfully required revenue, a yard sale of sorts favored by both Democrats and Republicans.

Items up for tender contain an island, an airstrip, vehicles, roads, buildings, land even the airwaves used to broadcast television, the New York Times reports.

Some properties might require some tender loving concern, but with a little love and some strong chemicals a house once belonging to the Animal Disease Center can become a loving home.

Republicans like privatization because it shrinks the government.

Democrats wish it for raise income painlessly.

“This is something that we can have two-way contract on,” says Representative Jeff Denham, R-Cal.

Close to $20 billion could come from vacant airwaves, and $4 billion from disembarrassing government entities of belongingness they don’t necessitate and help narrow deficits.

A congressional super committee is musing ways to shave $1.2 trillion off U.S. deficits over 10 years.

President Barack Obama, at the same time, is calling for $1.5 trillion in new incomes that accompanies his $447 billion jobs creation plan, which trusts heavily on slashing payroll taxes.

An unemployment rate stays high, and some say the country wants to get used to high joblessness, which won’t come down much for another two years.

“Growth stays sluggish and deficient to cut down the unemployment rate,” Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, says in a message to clients, the Associated Press reports.

CEOs at big companies are more unenthusiastic than they were just three months ago, according to a survey by the Business Roundtable, a trade group.

About one third of the CEOs say they plan to take on or improve spending in the next six months, down from half in June, the survey finds, the AP adds.

Real Estate Company Sobha Developers today tell it will invest Rs 250 crore to develop its property in Chennai.

Sobha Developers

“We will be launching in new areas. We will be launching in Chennai, whereas the property will be spread over 1 millionsq ft. The investment cost for this is Rs 250 crore,” Sobha Developers Managing Director J C Sharma told the media on the sidelines of the Real Estate Investment Forum and Business Spaces 2011.

On the company’s income, he said, “We are expecting Rs 1,500 crore values of new space sales (in the current fiscal) from Rs 1,100 crore last year.”

The firm registered a net profit of Rs 182 crore in FY’11, a raise of 32.85%from Rs 137 crore posted in the year ago period of time.

Sobha sold 2.78 million square feet in FY’11 as against 2.08 million square feet in the year since period of time.

The Bangalore based company said its whole debt stood at Rs 1,300 crore and it will repay close to 35% of the same this year. “Our total debt is Rs 1,300 crore. In FY’ 12, we have to repay Rs 450 crore.”

The debt to equity ratio of the company is 0.65:1, the greatest it has ever had, Sharma said.

Asked how the company will finance the debt repayment, Sharma said all the needed requirements were made to fulfill its obligations.

DLF vault on land auction buzz

DLF surged 8.23% to Rs. 216.90 on BSE on information that the company has sold 10.8 acres in Gurgaon as part of its efforts to reduce the debt burden.

In the meantime, the BSE Sensex was temporarily up 472.80 points, or 2.95%, to 16,523.90.

On BSE, 17.36 lakh shares were traded the counter as against average volume of 12.43 lakh shares above the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs. 218.45 and a low of Rs. 205 so far throughout the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs. 397.35 on 4 October 2010. The stock strike a 52-week low of Rs. 173.40 on 17 August 2011.

The large-cap stock had outperformed the market above the past one month till 26 September 2011, gaining 13.96% compared with the Sensex’s return of 1.28%. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, going down 7.44% as against 12% decline in the Sensex.

The country’s biggest real estate solid in terms of market capitalization has equity capital of Rs. 339.60 crore. Face value per share is Rs. 2.

DLF has allegedly sold 10.8 acres in Gurgaon to a Dubai-based Indian investor for Rs. 280 crore.

The company is also in talks with other investors to sell another 20 acres in Gurgaon, which is projected to fetch around Rs. 400 crore.

DLF’s debt stood at Rs. 21524 crore as on 30 June 2011. The company plans to decrease this by Rs. 7000 crore this fiscal, reports added.

On an amalgamated basis, DLF’s net profit fell 12.8% to Rs. 358.36 crore on 20.6% raise in net sales to Rs. 2445.82 crore in Q1 June 2011 over Q1 June 2010.