Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2026-02-09

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 3.64 (as of 2026-01-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.11 (as of 2026-02-05)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2026-02-06
• BoE Bank Rate: 3.75 (as of 2025-12-18)

🇺🇸 United States

• ‘Plainly wrong’: London flat dwellers fight shock £200,000 heating bill — London residents are protesting a shocking £200,000 heating bill, highlighting the lack of protections for heat network users.
• Price of average UK home passes £300,000 for first time, Halifax says — The average UK home price has surpassed £300,000 for the first time, reflecting a 0.7% increase in January.
• Flats for sale in England with outside space – in pictures — Explore various flats for sale in England that feature outdoor spaces, from Victorian conversions to coastal townhouses.

🇪🇺 Europe

• Man arrested over death of student at University of Lancashire — A man has been arrested in connection with the suspicious death of 19-year-old Carla Georgescu at the University of Lancashire.
• Morgan McSweeney resigns and says he takes ‘full responsibility’ for advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson – as it happened — Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Keir Starmer's chief of staff, taking full responsibility for advising the appointment of Mandelson.
• Starmer in fight to reassert control over Labour party after McSweeney exit — Keir Starmer faces challenges to regain control of the Labour party following McSweeney's resignation amid the Mandelson scandal.

🌏 Asia

• Apprenticeship clearing system to be introduced — The prime minister aims to modernize career pathways for youth through a new apprenticeship clearing system.
• How Britain became a fried chicken nation — The UK's fascination with American fried chicken raises questions about the future of traditional fish and chip shops.
• Voluntary student loan repayments rise in England — Rising voluntary student loan repayments in England face criticism from campaigners regarding their unfavorable terms.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Invest in UK-focused REITs that emphasize residential properties with outdoor spaces.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns may impact rental demand and property values.
• **Positioning Idea:** Consider ETFs that focus on energy-efficient housing solutions to capitalize on rising heating costs and consumer demand for sustainability.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Positioning Idea**: Consider investing in UK-focused REITs to capitalize on potential market volatility amid political uncertainty.
• **Risk Note**: Political instability may impact investor confidence and property values.
• **Positioning Idea**: Explore ETFs focused on defensive sectors like utilities and consumer staples as a hedge against political and economic instability in the UK.

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea:** Invest in education-focused REITs or ETFs to capitalize on the growing demand for modern apprenticeship programs.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns may impact funding for educational initiatives.
• **Positioning Idea:** Consider exposure to food and beverage REITs, particularly those with diverse offerings, to hedge against shifts in consumer preferences.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.