Commercial Property: Should You Be Cautious
About Investing in the Retail Sector?

The Retail sector is very delicately balancedMany investors just simply fall in love with Retail property. And probably, because of familiarity — as it tends to influence so much of our daily lives.

Therefore, after investing in Residential property for a while, you find people will gravitate naturally towards Retail properly.

To them, it seems to be the next logical step. But is that actually the case? [Read more…]

The Australian Office Scene


Last Friday, I attended the annual Commercial & Industrial Economic Forecast Luncheon.

And Dr Frank Gelber (director of BIS Shrapnel) kindly provided is perspective on the Australian economy and the Melbourne Commercial property market — looking forward for the next 5 to 6 years.

Probably the most pleasing aspect was … that his views will were pretty much in line with what I’ve been telling you here, for the past six months or so … [Read more…]

“Cycles Ain’t Cycles”

Overall, Australia has sailed through the Global Financial Crisis more or less unscathed. And from all accounts, Victoria and enjoys the standout economy of all the States.

The Traditional Cycle Has Been Interrupted

Last week, you explored the traditional cycle for CBD Offices — being 18 years from peak to peak. And over that same period, Retail and Industrial properties tend to go through several cycles.

Commercial Property Cycles

However, given Australia’s privileged position within the global scene … my view is you are now at the upswing in the cycle for the Office market. In other words, you are already at the halfway point in the traditional Cycle.
[Read more…]