Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2026-01-13

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 3.72 (as of 2025-12-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.16 (as of 2026-01-08)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2026-01-12
• BoE Bank Rate: 3.75 (as of 2025-12-18)

🇺🇸 United States

• A Move to Oregon Led to a Life in Interior Design — Pedro Rafael Gómez found inspiration for his interior design career after moving to Portland, Oregon.
• A Leasing Officer Prefers to Rent in New Jersey — Andrew Forsyth remains optimistic about commercial real estate while feeling uncertain about renting in New Jersey.
• Compass Acquires Top Rival, Creating World’s Largest Brokerage — Compass's merger with its top rival will establish the largest real estate brokerage in the U.S. by 2025.

🇪🇺 Europe

• Starmer tells Labour MPs his foreign trips can help fix cost-of-living crisis — Keir Starmer argues that his international trips will enhance trade and defense, ultimately addressing the UK's cost-of-living crisis.
• UK ministers should explain compensation payment to Guantánamo detainee, Dominic Grieve says — Dominic Grieve calls for transparency regarding the UK's compensation payment to Guantánamo detainee Abu Zubaydah and the involvement of British spy agencies.
• Decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa match challenged by Dutch police — Dutch police challenge the evidence used by British officers to justify banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an upcoming match against Aston Villa.

🌏 Asia

• Trump announces 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran — Trump imposes a 25% tariff on nations engaging with Iran amid ongoing protests.
• Former Fed chairs condemn criminal investigation into Jerome Powell — Former Fed chairs criticize the investigation into Jerome Powell, claiming it threatens the Fed's independence.
• Trump warns of 'mess' ahead of legal ruling on tariffs — Trump anticipates complications from the Supreme Court's imminent ruling on his tariff strategy.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in Pacific Northwest-focused REITs to capitalize on Portland's growing interior design and lifestyle trends.
• **Risk Note:** Monitor potential economic fluctuations affecting consumer spending.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore diversified commercial real estate ETFs to hedge against uncertainty in New Jersey's rental market while benefiting from broader market recovery.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in UK-focused REITs that may benefit from increased trade and defense spending.
• **Risk Note:** Economic uncertainty could dampen consumer confidence and spending.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore ETFs focused on European defense sectors, anticipating potential boosts from heightened international cooperation and security measures.

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea**: Consider investing in diversified international REITs to hedge against tariff impacts on domestic markets.
• **Risk Note**: Currency fluctuations may affect returns.
• **Positioning Idea**: Explore ETFs focused on sectors benefiting from increased defense spending amid geopolitical tensions.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.