In recent years there has been a growing debate on price, value and worth, particularly in the UK, but increasingly taking on a European perspective as a result of the Single European Act and subsequent Maastricht Treaty. European integration facilitates cross‐border investment and the globalization of business activities. Consequently, there is increasing pressure on valuers to work towards the development of common investment valuation standards within Europe. Furthermore, there is a need to appraise the investment worth of properties, as well as understand local pricing methods, together with greater transparency of investment valuation methodologies and practices. This paper discusses the theoretical arguments surrounding the valuation standards prevalent in the UK and looks towards the potential for uniformly accepted valuation standards across European Union countries.
This paper utilises cluster analytical techniques to examine the relationship between store space requirements, micro‐style property selection and retail function. Analysis of survey data infers that retail function is the most important dimension in determining retailers' behaviour with respect to store space requirements. Suggests that variation across a range of factors pertinent to the valuation of shop premises cannot be explained by store space requirements. Concludes that application of unit area values derived from the comparison of properties of different size and layout in any assessment of retail rental values is potentially flawed.
Examines diversification focusing on international and cross‐border investment. Extends the concept of regional diversification to European planning regions and discusses the potential implications of a "Europe of the regions" on property investment. Uses cross‐sectional analysis to identify the criteria influencing property investment performance across a number of European cities. Model outcomes indicate the importance of local factors in particular market size. Also provides, in this analysis support to the hypothesis concerning linkages between real estate returns, GDP and employment characteristics.
Examines retailers' evaluation of micro‐scale property selection criteria with particular attention to the impact of locational, physical and lease term factors. Highlights the relationship between retail function, store selection and rental value. Survey analysis identifies significant variation by retailing function across a range of factors pertinent to the valuation of shop premises. Concludes that retail function ought to be considered in any assessment of retail rental values using the comparative method.
The comparative method of valuation is based on valuers interpreting prices agreed in the open market to arrive at an opinion of value. This requires the consideration of a diverse range of variables and an assessment of their relative impact. Behavioural analysis using an independent sample of buyers and valuers operative in the Belfast residential market indicates that there are statistically significant differences between the two sample groups in the scoring and ranking of variables. In particular valuers are shown to place a greater emphasis on environmental or neighbourhood effects. Discusses the outcome of this empirically‐based research and analyses whether differences in the treatment of variables between the valuer and buyer samples are reflected in different price and value distributions. The results indicate that valuation accuracy to within 5 per cent of transaction price is not upheld; rather it is argued that a 10 per cent threshold has greater credibility.
Suggests that capital investments normally flow to economic sectors and regions which produce the highest returns within certain risk parameters. Therefore geographical areas perceived to be peripheral to the core economy of a certain country, region or city suffer when attracting institutional investment. Investigates investment flows into real estate in two peripheral economies: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Analyses data from the Investment Property Databank (IDP) and market participants in terms of regional and sectoral performance, and assesses institutional investors′ perceptions of investment activity in Ireland as a peripheral European region. Also compares investment performance of institutional property holdings in Ireland to returns in the UK.
The role of state intervention in stimulating inner‐city land markets for private‐sector residential development is becoming an increasingly important element of urban regeneration strategies. Considers how fiscal incentives are being employed in inner‐city Dublin to promote investment opportunity in the housing sector. Examines the operation of targeted tax‐based incentives with illustrations to show how a demand‐driven residential property market is being created in locations which were traditionally neglected by investors.
PurposeThe inception of REITs in Ireland in 2013 presented an additional property investment opportunity to Ireland's commercial property investment landscape. Importantly, the Irish REIT market is an institutional apparatus with an objective to rejuvenate Ireland's commercial property market. The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical validation of the performance of Irish REITs over the period March 2015 to February 2019 across several investment measures such as risk-adjusted returns and diversification benefits.Design/methodology/approachUsing monthly total returns in local currency, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification attributes of Irish REITs are assessed. The mean-variance framework is utilised to assess the potential added-value benefits of Irish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio.FindingsIrish REITs delivered the strongest average annual return performance, lower relative volatility vs the stock market and competitive overall risk-adjusted performance. The results affirm the characteristic of Irish REITs as a total return-focussed income-driven property investment asset class. The optimal asset allocation analysis shows that Irish REITs are an important ingredient in a mixed-asset investment framework, as their allocation could be scaled effectively across the portfolio risk-return spectrum.Practical implicationsIrish REITs are an emerging investment opportunity for investors seeking exposure in the strongly performing property market in Ireland in the post-Global Financial Crisis period. They are also regarded as an effective alternative conduit to private investment routes (i.e. direct property and non-listed property funds), with the added advantage of being more liquid and versatile than their private property investment counterparts. Importantly, Irish REITs fulfilled the purpose for which they were originally designed. The promising initial performance observed in this paper gives a useful context to what the future might hold for Irish REITs, given the strong interest for commercial property assets in Ireland from both local and cross-border property investors.Originality/valueThis paper is the first empirical research aimed at providing an initial empirical performance validation of Irish REITs as an effective route to commercial property exposure in Ireland. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision making regarding the strategic role of Irish REITs in a portfolio.
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to solve five key brownfield valuation problems.Design/methodology/approachThis aim is achieved by using doctoral research on integrating the scientific process into the appraisal process. The first objective is demonstrating why four of the problems require solutions prior to solving the first problem, a valuation procedure for formerly used sites. A second objective is to use empirical data from appraisals to reveal why existing methodology is not reliable – because it does not solve the four problems.FindingsThe resulting findings are that a developmental model that incorporates the Triad approach to quantifying environmental uncertainty, initially used in the USA, simulates a process used by buyers to establish the price paid for brownfields with contaminated land.Practical implicationsThe practical implication that results from this research is that valuers need to emulate the buyer's process when valuing this property type. Prescriptive procedures for valuation requiring the use of scientific methods, as used in the Triad process, need to be set forth to quantify the atypical uncertainties in valuing this property type. The results of this research should be of significant interest to all stakeholders that are involved in brownfield redevelopment, so that they can insure that their needs will be met by improved feasibility analysis.Originality/valueThis research is unique in that it is the first empirical test of the reliability of the valuation of brownfields that need to undergo a time‐consuming and often expensive soil remediation process.
PurposeIn Family Law Court decisions in Australia, following divorce, the female party is frequently disadvantaged financially in the long term. This paper provides a critical assessment of valuation evidence as a data source in research and discusses valuation accuracy, valuation variation and valuation bias, as well as the Australian family court system and the role of valuers as expert witnesses. In particular, valuation in family law, as it relates to gender inequality, is discussed. The study aims to determine whether the current system of valuation in the Family Law Courts disadvantages women. This paper was important to reveal information that stakeholders in family law cases use on a day-to-day basis.Design/methodology/approachA database of 658 cases was developed and analysed to examine the influence of valuations of the matrimonial home provided by both the male and female parties on the final decision of the court.FindingsFindings showed that valuations from the female party had marginally more influence on the outcome. However, financial disadvantages for the female party persist despite this. This raises several questions for future research, regarding reasons for this persistent disadvantage.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations included a time-consuming process.Practical implicationsFurther researchers can use the findings from this paper to further research.Social implicationsSocial implications include the ability of the research to impact on society. In this regard, it was the matrimonial home in relation to divorce proceedings.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper stems from the analysis of a database that was created from a large number of cases from Austlii database family law cases.
