THE WORLD PROPERTY JOURNAL

Factors influencing the U.S. grocery industry points to a near-term future with a fully automated checkout process, a greater emphasis on prepared meals, a proliferation of smaller, convenience-store grocery outlets, and more collaboration between grocers and nontraditional partners such as fitness operators and restaurants.

Shopping for and buying a home is a daunting process for anyone, but Zillow research shows that for parents the stresses are magnified. To get into their new home, parents living with children under 18 are more likely to go over budget.

U.S. mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 20.1 percent compared from a year ago. Compared to April 2019, applications increased by 0.1 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

The level of commercial/multifamily mortgage debt outstanding in the U.S. rose by $45.4 billion (1.3 percent) in the first quarter of 2019.

According to Redfin, Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh are the most affordable places where couples can throw a wedding and also cover a down payment on their first home. In all three Midwestern metro areas, the average combined cost of a wedding and a down payment is less than $65,000, compared with the national average of more than $109,000.

Based on new data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, U.S. mortgage credit availability increased in May 2019 according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). The MCAI rose 1.9 percent to 189.5 in May.

Slovenia is home to the world's fastest rising house prices with average values accelerating 18.2% year-on-year. Falling unemployment, low interest rates and until recently, limited supply, are behind the strong price growth.

Panama, the winner of the 2019 Global Retirement Index, has been a constant in the Index, but this year marks the 10th time it's reached the #1 spot--climbing from third place to scoop the top prize.

According to a new Global Retirement Index by International Living Magazine, Costa Rica won the top spot for U.S. expats to retire in 2018.

Panama-based Red Frog Beach Island Resort & Spa announced this week the resort's newest amenity, La Rosa Beach Club. The new addition features event and meeting spaces, a bar, a restaurant, a stunning waterfall and an infinity-edge pool.

According to InternationalLiving.com's 2018 Global Retirement Index, Costa Rica takes the top spot for the first time in the index's history.

The recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake that stunned Mexico City (and surrounding states of Mexico, Morelos and Puebla) is now having a strong impact on Mexico's commercial real estate market.

Global real estate consultant Knight Frank is reporting that economic uncertainty of Brexit, coupled with the complexities of the planning system and rising build costs, have exerted pressure on London land values at the turn of 2019.

According to a new report by Daft.ie, Ireland home prices are currently growing by 5.9% year-on-year and in 2019 there are on average 11 properties sold nationwide every week that are worth €1m or more.

Investment into the UK Student Accommodations (PBSA), investment-grade private rented sector (PRS) and senior living rental sectors is expected to reach £146bn ($185bn) by 2025, rising from £87.3bn ($110bn) in 2019.

According to international real estate consultant Knight Frank's latest Prime Global Cities Index, which tracks the movement in luxury residential prices across 45 cities globally, registered its lowest rate of annual growth since the final quarter of 2009, when the world was in the grip of the financial crisis.

According to the latest quarterly Rental Report by Daft.ie, there were just 2,700 homes available to rent nationwide in Ireland on May 1st, 2019, the lowest total ever recorded in a series dating back to 2006.

Global real estate consultant Knight Frank is reporting that the average home price in Madrid declined 30% in peak-to-trough terms following the financial crisis of 2008, but now sits 46% above the market low reached in Q3 2012.

According to a new report from CBRE, the rising cost of leasing prime office space accelerated across the globe in the year ended March 31 due to continued economic growth, job gains and limited availability of prime space in certain markets. Of the 122 markets tracked by CBRE, 85 registered cost increases.

According to JLL's latest Residential Sales Market Monitor Report, the price premium commanded by new mass residential flats sized 752 sq. ft and under on Hong Kong Island against the New Territories has narrowed from 90% to 79% over the past five years.

According to global real estate consultant JLL, commercial real estate investment in Asia Pacific was up 14% in the first quarter of 2019, setting a new record of $45 billion in sales volume.

Co-living market is taking off in Asia Pacific as more people migrate to cities for jobs or education opportunities. This is opening up new opportunities for real estate developers and investors around the region.

In 2018, flexible workspace centre supply in Kuala Lumpur grew by 36%, making it the fastest growing key city in the APAC region, outpacing fast-growing markets in Gurugram, Chennai, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore.

Australia's industrial and office sectors are set to experience the double-digit returns in 2019, making them forecast to be the highest performing asset classes.

According to the Property Monitor's latest Dubai House Price Index, the average annual house price in Dubai decreased by 12% in March 2019, with some communities registering even higher price declines.

According to the latest Dubai House Price Index, the average annual home price in Dubai decreased by 10.6% in February 2019, with some communities registering even higher price declines.

According to STR, hotels in the Middle East reported negative April 2018 performance results, while hotels in Africa posted growth across the three key performance metrics.

The Abu Dhabi property market heavily favored renters and buyers in Q1 of 2018, with market data showing price decreases in all areas. both apartments and villas across the sales and rental sectors became increasingly affordable in Q1.

According to STR, hotels across the Middle East reported mixed Q1 2018 performance results, while hotels in Africa posted growth across the three key performance metrics.

Residential rents across Dubai registered no change during the first quarter of 2018, helping improve the annual rate of change to -3.1%, from -7.7% at the end of last year.