LONDON: The Insolvency Service in the UK has issued another warning to the public to be on the alert against unscrupulous landbanking practices as these scams are on the rise. Since 2007, The Insolvency Service has closed down 49 landbanking companies in England and Wales that have collectively caused losses of over £30 million (RM150 million).

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG: Property sales in Shanghai, the most populous city in China, have fallen by more than a tenth over the first nine months of the year, prompting developers to cut prices and in some cases sparking protests.

HONG KONG: Office rents in Hong Kong, the world's most expensive office market, could fall by 40% if the economy suffers a hard landing, according to a property analyst.

The uncertain economic outlook spells a correction for the market, said Andrew Lawrence, Hong Kong property analyst at Barclays Capital.

WASHINGTON: New US single-family home sales rose at their fastest pace in five months in September, a government report showed on Wednesday, Oct 26, but sustained price declines indicated the housing market is far from recovery.

SYDNEY: The prospect of interest rate cuts in Australia could help boost confidence in the country's weakening residential housing market, but a decent turnaround in the property market may have to wait until next year, economists said on Thursday, Oct 27.

SYDNEY: Australian mining towns are attracting capital flows into property, driven by bets of further house price increases led by the resources boom, while much of the country's residential property market is flagging due to weak consumer confidence.

RAWANG: Asia Pacific Land Bhd's (AP Land) EGM ended mid-way on Tuesday, Oct 25 following a discrepancy in the company's circular to shareholders, pertaining to the proposed offer from 34%-owned shareholder Low Yat Holdings Sdn Bhd (LYH) to buy all the assets and liabilities of AP Land for RM305.2 million or 45 sen per share.

HONG KONG: Singapore-based property fund Real Estate Capital Asia Partners (Recap) is on the prowl for China investment opportunities as smaller developers come under liquidity pressure because of falling home sales and a tightening credit market.

SHAH ALAM: Setia City Mall has secured over 50,000 sq ft of international fashion brands, bringing its take-up rate to over 95% of its net lettable area of 740,000 sq ft.

Some of the brands include Zara, MHG, Guess, Esprit, La Senza, G2000, Rip Curl, Aldo, Timberland, Cache Cache and Cotton On.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Tuesday, Oct 25 unveiled four dimensions identified in the Economic Transformation Programme to realise the Greater KL/Klang Valley aspiration.

The Greater KL/Klang Valley project has a vision to attain the status of the world's top 20 cities enjoying sustainable economic growth.