”London and New York are the only two markets identified as key investment areas by investors from other regions,” the report stated. ”Investors will continue to target these markets through 2013, while monitoring the effects of the U.S. election result and continuing problems in the Eurozone London, Paris and major cities in Germany are among the favorite sites.”

Another global trend is the investor’s preference for the office sector. In what commercial properties are concerned,  industrial sector properties are the most attractive in the US and Latin America, while shopping center investments are increasingly sought after in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand saw increasing interest in shopping center investments.

 ”Major investors are becoming more critical when selecting their investment locations,” said Tony Horrell, CEO, U.K. and Ireland, Colliers International. ”This is supported by the overarching themes we found when asking respondents about their investment strategies. They are more likely to look at home locations first, and when they do look at international opportunities, they are far more specific about the individual markets and sectors in which they are interested.”

Horrell added, “The survey also found that the availability and price of debt finance will remain an issue in a number of territories, particularly in EMEA, as stringent lending requirements endure and LTVs remain low. This is opening the door for new lenders, in the form of insurance companies, and the resurgence in the provision of mezzanine finance.”

While the preference for such safe markets will generate a slow but steady growth in Western markets throughout the next year, it will also lead to a shortage in core investment opportunities as all global investors will fight over the same limited key locations.

The survey also showed that Asian, EMEA and Latin American investors were the most likely to access funds from outside their regions. Asian investors used local funds for only 40% of their investments, with the United States (20%) and Western Europe (19%) providing significant capital. The US also provides a third of funding for investments in Latin America, with Western Europe providing another 15% of the funding. Canadian investors are the most self-reliant, with close to 80% of investment being funded locally.

Most investors prefer to put their money in their local markets, with only 25% making overseas real estate investments. Those who venture overseas favor Western Europe. Asian investors eyeing foreign markets prefer those closer to home, such as Australia and New Zealand.

While still focusing on preserving their wealth and income security as main goals, investors in the US, Asia and Latin America are most likely to start taking greater risks over the next six months. The European and EMEA markets will still struggle with securing debt in 2013, the survey showed, also forecasting increased activity for specialist debt funds that pursue higher returns on their investments. Asian investors are seen as most likely to extend debt, while those in Latin America are the most concerned with avoiding additional debt.

 ”In 2013 we will see more new lenders and mezzanine funds to partially replace the void left by retreating mainstream banks,: Horrell said. ”And more generally, 2013 will be a year of continued recovery, with investment volumes showing modest growth as investors accept the new norm and sentiment improves.”

Glozal.com, social media for realtors

Enter Glozal. Glozal is a social media website geared specifically towards financial industries and the professionals who manage them. According to their website, “GLOZAL is the premier professional network in Real Estate, Accounting, Banking, Capital Markets, Financial Services, Insurance, Investment Banking, Investment Management, Venture Capital and Private Equity.”

Why would you want to use Glozal? Behind every website, every phone number, every listing in every glossy real estate magazine, is a person. A real, flesh and blood person who shares some of the same passions that you do. The connections you make will allow you to build both your business and theirs. You could think of Glozal as a “world wide” water cooler, where you share ideas, collaborate with others to accomplish your goals, or simply “talk shop” and have a few laughs about the business that only others like yourself would understand.

Looking for a virtual assistant, a business partner or financial opportunities? Glozal allows users to create an elaborate profile, where they can join groups, showcase their talents, advertise listings, post to their blog and share photos and videos. Want to tweet something? You can do that right from your home page, so that you can continue reading through your news feed without missing a beat!

If you’re interested in networking with others who share your same interests, building your business through making quality connections, then take a minute and check out the site, but be warned…it could get as addicting as “Farmville!”

Cushman and Wakefield Czech Republic and Slovakia head James Chapman had this to say about the report:

“In the Central European region, pricing will see a similar increase to that seen in Western Europe during 2010 with yields expected to fall by approximately 50 basis points during the year.”

Reduta shopping center in Poland, one of Atrium's investments

According to Chapman, International investors actually have a bigger share of the Czech market already this year. As the market returns to a more “liquid” state, we can probably expect to see even further gains. Investor confidence, according to several of the Cushman Wakefield reports, appears to be solidifying across many sectors. The office snapshot here (PDF) indicates the investor pool should expand, especially with British, American and German funds increasing in activity.

Rachel Lavine, CEO Atrium Sounds the gong with Chaim Katzman, head of Atrium Europe

In the economic sector, for Slovakia and other central and Eastern Europe nations, continued labor woes weigh down the recovery a bit. But, continued wage increases and job growth in neighbor countries makes the outlook in this segment at worst, stable (PDF). And in supportive news, Amsterdam and Vienna-listed CEE shopping center investment titan and developer Atrium European Real Estate is eyeballing key acquisitions in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The bottom line there is; Atrium never makes a move that is not profitable.

Parkhouse Wolgograd shopping center in Russia, another Atrium investment

Colin Dyer CEO Jones Lang LaSalle

According to a report (PDF) by global property advisors Jones Lang LaSalle, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa recorded the highest overall volume in FDI of over $136 billion. Furthermore, Europe’s largest markets of the UK, Germany, and France made up about half that region’s volumes, but indicators show too that investors seem primed to reach out into other regions in Europe as well now. One reason for this is the limited entry for core real estate products in Europe’s traditional sectors – this is pushing in vestment monies farther East and South.

Arthur de Haast, Head of the firm’s International Capital Group had this to say about the prospects for this year:

“Barring further sovereign debt crises or financial shocks, the momentum of 2010 is expected to continue over the next 12 months and we predict global volumes for 2011 should increase by 20 to 25%.”

As an indication of the firm’s reach, and to spotlight regions where drastically increasing FDI may occur, this report (PDF) on Warsaw, Poland reveals the depth of the recovery there. The chart below illustrates the 50 percent rise in investment over the last year too. Price increases for properties, along with other factors, appear to this writer to offset the negatives of budget imbalances in Poland.

The Warsaw investment curve - courtesy Jones Lang LaSalle

Still more research shows clearly that some of the Eastern European countries have substantial growth since 2009. Turkey is maybe the best example of the a market where those placing their investment dollars seem likely to do so. The Euro zone of Turkey in particular has seen good GDP and other numbers across the spectrum from office space rental to consumer confidence, and in particular household spending.

Clearly Turkish citizens are showing far greater confidence in their own situation and the economy as a whole. The chart below shows the steady rise in GDP since the worldwide economic calamity hit. What’s more, Turkey’s budget deficit numbers go down in direct correlation to the positive rise elsewhere.

Turkey's consisten rise in GDP - Courtesy Jones Lang LaSalle

While news in the United States still hovers like a harbinger over the real estate industry, it is evident other regions have somehow emerged on a clear path toward not only solvency, but in some cases record breaking growth. As investment monies are freed up, entire economies can benefit from an influx of investment.

Jobs are created, public confidence is reinstalled, and an overall atmosphere of “building” replaces the trough of uncertainty some countries are still locked into. It seems sound advice for citizens and investors to watch these emerging regions for clues as to opportunity and ways out of this economic debacle. Maybe it’s time to look to the East?

Warsaw's Zlota 44 luxury apartments - courtesy e-architect