LONDON: The number of homes changing hands in Britain slipped by 4,000 to 77,000 in August, according to seasonally-adjusted government data which show transactions so far this year running well below historical norms.

HONG KONG: Low-income families are being left behind in the battle to buy their own homes as soaring house prices push the cost of public and subsidised flats beyond their reach.

The story of Ann Kan, a young clerk who hoped to buy a flat with her fiance, is typical.

HONG KONG: A call to raise the qualifying investment level for foreigners seeking residency rights in Hong Kong has triggered a jump in the number of China buyers under the scheme, according to estate agents.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Atmosphere, a strata-title commercial development in Seri Kembangan on a 53-acre leasehold site, has been awarded Singapore's Building and Construction Authoritty's (BCA) Green Mark Certification (Provisional) award for Phase 2 of the project.

KUALA LUMPUR: CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has been named as the top global real estate advisor and consultancy firm in the 2010 Euromoney Real Estate Awards that took place in Hong Kong, making it the fourth time CBRE won the prestigious title since Euromoney began the awards in 2005.

KUALA LUMPUR: Glomac Bhd posted an increased net profit, up 88% to RM15.55 million, in the first quarter ended July 31 versus RM8.34 million a year ago, in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, Sept 21.

The Group's revenue increased by 114% to RM126.31 million from RM58.98 million, while pre-tax profit rose 79% to RM29.5 million in the quarter from RM16.5 million a year ago.

PETALING JAYA: Two construction companies were charged separately in the Sessions Court here on Tuesday, Sept 21, in connection with the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket building at Section 14 here on May 28 last year, which claimed seven lives.

HONG KONG: A handful of buildings are lying empty in some of the city's most prime locations. They are vacant not because they're difficult to sell — far from it. The buildings' owners simply don't want to sell.

HONG KONG: The government is putting a historic site up for tender as a preservation project before it has been decided whether or not it should be declared a monument. As a result, experts and a member of the heritage advisory body said officials are setting a bad example and inviting controversy.

KUALA LUMPUR: Success Transformer Corporation Bhd plans to acquire a piece of industrial land, along with a factory, from Dekor Panel Emas Sdn Bhd for RM18.5 million.

The company announced to Bursa Malaysia on Monday, Sept 20 that the conditional letter of offer was submitted on the same day for the parcel of land measuring 6.05 acres or 24,490 sq mts in Bandar Rawang.