Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2025-09-08

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 4.33 (as of 2025-08-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.5 (as of 2025-09-04)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2025-09-05
• BoE Bank Rate: 4.00 (as of 2025-08-07)

🇺🇸 United States

• On Croatia’s Coast, a Former Basketball Star Builds a Tribute to His Hero — Marko Banic honors Kobe Bryant by dedicating his new real estate project on Croatia’s coast to the NBA legend.
• Pewter Finds a Home in High-End Interior Décor — Pewter is increasingly popular in high-end interior design, appealing to wealthy consumers seeking unique materials.
• Can You Transfer Your Co-op Shares to Someone Else? — Shareholders' rights to transfer co-op shares depend on the specific governing documents of each building.

🇪🇺 Europe

• Londoners buying lowest share of property outside capital since 2013 — Londoners are purchasing the lowest share of properties outside the capital since 2013 due to stalling prices and a return to office work.
• UK advertising watchdog accused of breaking rules in its own ad campaign — The UK advertising watchdog faces a complaint for allegedly violating rules in its own promotional campaign with major household brands.
• New business secretary Peter Kyle going to China for trade talks this week — New business secretary Peter Kyle is traveling to China this week to enhance the UK's trade relationship and stimulate economic growth.

🌏 Asia

• In US town hoping for revival, Trump's tariffs put to test — Trump's tariffs reveal a growing disparity between promises and actual economic conditions in a struggling US town.
• Unions warn government not to water down workers' rights bill — The TUC insists the government must uphold its commitment to a transformative workers' rights bill.
• South Korean worker tells BBC of panic and confusion during Hyundai ICE raid — A Hyundai worker recounts the chaos of a large-scale immigration raid involving 400 US agents.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Invest in luxury real estate REITs focusing on coastal properties to capture high-end demand.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns may impact luxury spending.
• **Positioning Idea:** Consider ETFs focused on high-end interior design materials, like pewter, to capitalize on affluent consumer trends.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in UK-focused REITs that emphasize urban properties, as demand may stabilize with the return to office work.
• **Risk Note:** Monitor potential economic fluctuations from trade negotiations.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore ETFs focused on UK consumer sectors, as advertising scrutiny may impact brand spending and consumer confidence.

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea**: Consider investing in U.S. industrial REITs to capitalize on potential supply chain shifts due to tariffs.
• **Risk Note**: Economic disparities may impact consumer demand.
• **Positioning Idea**: Explore ETFs focused on labor rights and sustainable companies, anticipating increased regulatory support for workers' rights.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.