Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2025-09-15

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 4.33 (as of 2025-08-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.35 (as of 2025-09-11)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2025-09-12
• BoE Bank Rate: 4.00 (as of 2025-08-07)

🇺🇸 United States

• Would You Trade Your Safety for Homeownership? — A recent survey reveals that 20% of homebuyers would sacrifice safety for homeownership.
• Bad Bunny’s Casita, a Summer Hub for Celebrities, Carries a Legacy — Bad Bunny's summer residence has become a celebrity hotspot, evoking a festive atmosphere.
• Workstead Founders Curate a Living Room of ‘Unexpected Heirlooms’ — Workstead founders showcase a unique collection of heirlooms in their curated living room.

🇪🇺 Europe

• Starmer urged to make ‘populist case’ for workers’ rights reforms — Unions urge Keir Starmer to promote popular workers’ rights reforms, highlighted by a recent survey showing limited public awareness.
• Bank of England urged to slow bond-selling plan to help cut record UK borrowing costs — Former Bank of England policymakers recommend slowing bond-selling to alleviate record UK borrowing costs, potentially saving the Treasury £10bn annually.
• Three in four English hospitals failing to hit two cancer targets in league tables — A new report reveals that three in four English hospitals are failing to meet cancer diagnosis and treatment targets, prompting a national emergency declaration.

🌏 Asia

• 'Killer' child car seats still on sale 10 years on — Families are urged to purchase child car seats with a clear orange label for safety, as dangerous models remain available.
• Unlimited contactless cards may lead to spending sprees — Academics warn that removing the £100 limit on contactless cards could trigger increased spontaneous spending.
• New wave of US investment to create up to 1,000 jobs — Bank of America plans to create up to 1,000 jobs in Belfast, marking its entry into Northern Ireland.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in affordable housing REITs to capitalize on increased demand from buyers prioritizing homeownership over safety.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns could impact occupancy rates.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore hospitality-focused REITs to benefit from the rising popularity of celebrity hotspots and festive atmospheres.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Position in Healthcare REITs**: Invest in healthcare REITs focusing on facilities that support cancer treatment, as demand may rise amid national emergency. *Risk: Regulatory changes could impact funding.*
• **Bond Market ETFs**: Consider bond market ETFs that focus on UK government bonds, as potential policy shifts may stabilize borrowing costs. *Risk: Interest rate volatility could affect returns.*
• **Labor-Intensive Sectors**: Allocate to sectors benefiting from labor reforms, such as renewable energy and healthcare, which may see increased investment and job growth. *Risk: Political resistance could delay reforms.*

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in consumer staples ETFs to hedge against potential increased spending driven by contactless payment changes.
• **Risk Note:** Monitor inflation trends that could impact consumer purchasing power.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore REITs focused on logistics and warehousing, benefiting from increased demand for safety-related products and e-commerce growth.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.