Singapore investors snapped up $16.22b worth of properties in 2014

Local investors led outbound real estate investments in the region.

Singapore topped the regional charts when it came to outbound real estate acquisitions in 2014.

Data released today by CBRE showed that firms in the city-state bagged $16.22b (US$11.9b) in 2014, as Singapore-based investors looked offshore as a result of compressed yields in their home market and a shortage of investible assets.

The second largest source of capital was China, closely followed by Hong Kong. Asian outbound real estate investment had a record year, reaching US$40 billion—reflecting an increase of 23% year-on-year.

EMEA continued to receive the largest share of Asian investment, receiving US$13.7 billion of the total, but remained flat on 2013. Other regions saw substantial increases in Asian investments: Americas (up 20% year-on-year), Pacific (33% year-on-year) and Asia intra-regionally (58% year-on-year). In Asia, Japan was the leading target destination, followed by China.