Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2025-10-28

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 4.22 (as of 2025-09-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.19 (as of 2025-10-23)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2025-10-27
• BoE Bank Rate: 4.00 (as of 2025-08-07)

🇺🇸 United States

• The Odd History of the Rowhouse at the Center of the N.B.A. Betting Scandal — A Greenwich Village rowhouse linked to the N.B.A. betting scandal has hosted both celebrities and alleged Mafia poker games.
• Ballrooms May Be a Gilded Relic, but They Still Have Their Devotees — Despite their decline in popularity, grand ballrooms from the Gilded Age still attract dedicated enthusiasts.
• $3.5 Million Homes in California — California offers $3.5 million homes, including a 1963 Encino house and a Mediterranean-style Santa Barbara residence.

🇪🇺 Europe

• UK’s Eastern Airways suspends operations with all flights cancelled — Eastern Airways has suspended all operations, urging customers not to go to airports as flights are cancelled.
• King Charles heckled over Prince Andrew during cathedral visit — King Charles faced heckling over Prince Andrew during a cathedral visit, amid calls for palace action.
• Foster carers across England facing widespread racism, sector leader says — A sector leader reports widespread racism affecting foster carers and social workers in England, urging government intervention.

🌏 Asia

• City trader sues UBS for $400m after rate-rigging conviction quashed — Tom Hayes is suing UBS for $400 million, alleging he was unfairly targeted in a rate-rigging scandal.
• Eastern Airways on brink of collapse with jobs at risk — Eastern Airways faces potential collapse, putting hundreds of jobs in jeopardy as it seeks administration.
• Renters' Rights Bill becomes law – here's what it means for you — The new Renters' Rights Bill in England introduces significant changes to rental regulations following royal assent.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Invest in luxury residential REITs focusing on urban markets to capture demand for unique properties.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns may reduce demand for high-end rentals.
• **Positioning Idea:** Consider ETFs focused on historical property preservation and restoration, capitalizing on niche markets for Gilded Age architecture.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in European travel and leisure ETFs, as flight cancellations may lead to a temporary dip in demand.
• **Risk Note:** Monitor for prolonged travel disruptions affecting recovery.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore REITs focused on social infrastructure, as increased government intervention may boost funding for social services and foster care facilities.

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea**: Consider investing in diversified REITs focused on residential properties to hedge against potential rental market disruptions from the new Renters' Rights Bill.
• **Risk Note**: Regulatory changes may impact rental income stability.
• **Positioning Idea**: Explore infrastructure ETFs as a defensive play amid potential airline sector instability from Eastern Airways' challenges.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.