Q3 preliminary volumes keep CEE on track for a record level of investment activity in 2014 – EuropaProperty

JLL has presented its preliminary summary of investment transactions concluded in Q1-Q3 on the commercial real estate markets across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

According to JLL, the summer months have seen a hive of activity across the CEE with a preliminary transaction volume of over €1.5 billion recorded in the third quarter. This brings the preliminary year-to-date regional investment volume to more than €4.5 billion. This figure is already greater than the full year volume recorded in 2012 and €1.5 billion below the volume recorded in 2013.

Troy Javaher, Head of Capital Markets CEE, JLL, commented: “With the final quarter of the year often representing one of the busiest periods for our investment teams, and looking at the pipeline of deals that are in advanced stages, we predict that the CEE regional volume could reach between €6 and €7 billion by the year end. Should the latter happen, it would put 2014 at the highest level since the economic downturn and third highest in the past 12 years.”

Poland remains the leading market in terms of investment volumes with a 42 percent share, followed by the Czech Republic with 23 percent. Healthy levels of activity in Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, with the first few deals also being recorded in Bulgaria and Croatia, have also been registered.

Yields have remained relatively stable over the quarter with prime office yields (Warsaw and Prague) at between 6.00 – 6.25 percent. Retail yields for best in class products are at 5.50 – 6.00 percent and truly prime warehouse asset yields are expected at 7.00 – 7.25 percent.