In the third quarter, Asia Pacific markets dominated global commercial capital flows.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle's latest Global Capital Flows Report for the third quarter of 2011, Asia Pacific accounted for four of the top 10 most transacted direct real estate city markets globally. In comparison to four cities in the Americas and two in Europe, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Sydney all reached the top ten. buying a house in qatar

Tokyo's restart of activity following the earthquake has been the most notable quarter-on-quarter change in the top ten. With US$3.6 billion in trade, the city moved up to fourth place from US$0.9 billion in the second quarter of the year. Sydney (US$1.6 billion) was a new entrant into the top ten this quarter, while Shanghai (US$1.9 billion) remained relatively stable (though moving up to fourth from eighth), and Hong Kong (US$4.2 billion) moved up to third position from fourth last quarter (over half of this total was accounted for by the Festival Walk transaction).

In the third quarter, direct real estate investment transaction volumes in Asia Pacific remained stable at US$21.3 billion, up 13% from the previous quarter and 7% from the same period in 2010. Net capital flows into Asia Pacific totaled $4.6 billion in the first nine months of 2011.

Jones Lang LaSalle Asia Pacific Director, International Capital Group Alistair Meadows tells the World Property Channel, "Investors are expressing two strong themes: first, Asia Pacific has remained an attractive destination for international capital from other regions; second, despite slowing growth, the region's economic growth remains stronger than that of the Eurozone and the United States. We anticipate that the region's relative appeal, both in terms of its economy and real estate markets, will continue in the months ahead. Second, Asia Pacific continues to be a major source of cash seeking global investment possibilities. While the Eurozone debt crisis has caused investors to be cautious, we expect equity-rich high net worth people in Asia to continue to seek secure investment havens like London and New York."

Singapore was the world's third-largest cross-border capital source (after global funds and the United States) and the most active buyer in net terms. With a combined net divestment of -$2.7 billion, global funds and Hong Kong investors were the top net divestors. Swire Properties' sale of Festival Walk to Mapletree Investments for US$2.4 billion dominated both Singapore and Hong Kong's positions.

While listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) were net acquirers across the board, they were most active in the Americas and Europe, with institutions taking the lead in Asia Pacific. In addition, unlike the other areas, Corporates were big net acquirers in Asia Pacific (US$1.4 billion). Owner occupation is more appealing to lock in costs or acquire sufficient space, although sale and leaseback remains more appealing in other places.