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Business

AAA says Real estate sales increases are Good news for Alternative Investors

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There has been some good news for those investing in real estate, in the form of stronger US property sales figures, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), an alternative investment advocacy group.

Boston, MA, July 05, 2012 – There has been some good news for those investing in real estate, in the form of stronger US property sales figures, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), an alternative investment advocacy group.

The National Association of Realtors has revealed that property sales had increased by over 10 per cent in April, compared with a year earlier. The Association added that sales could be up by as much as 13 per cent overall, by the end of the year.

Analysts believe that improving employment figures and falling mortgage costs are helping the industry get back on its feet, which means prices are rising. “This is great news for anyone who has invested in property over the past few years when prices were low,” claimed AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

“It is still a great time to buy homes in the US for investment purposes, as the market is bottoming out, which means the only way is up,” he added.

In fact, prices rose in 50 per cent of US cities in the first quarter of 2012 and this trend is expected to continue throughout the year. Mortgage rates have also fallen drastically. The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage a year ago was 4.5 per cent, while is now stands at just 3.66 per cent, according to a Freddie Mac survey.

Anthony Johnson stated, “investing in real estate has become more popular among those who want to diversify their portfolios against risk. It’s understandable that people want something tangible to show for their investments – especially after the economic crisis.

“We also support investment in other alternative asset classes, such as timberland, through firms like Greenwood Management, which runs sustainable plantations of non-native trees species in Brazil.” AAA claims that investing in alternatives can offer a more ethical option than stocks and bonds.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

Demand for Timber Frame Houses is ‘Good news’ for Forestry investors, says FRA

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A new report from MTW Research shows that demand for timber frame housing will increase hugely over the coming four years in the UK. This could prove good news for forestry investors, according to FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, April 11, 2012 – A new report from MTW Research shows that demand for timber frame housing will increase hugely over the coming four years in the UK. This could prove good news for forestry investors, according to Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The researchers found that as demand for sustainable, energy efficient building materials increases, sales of timber frame homes will increase by 60 per cent in volume. Sales values will increase even further, growing by 80 per cent from current levels.

FRA, a research and analysis consultancy focusing on forestry investment, claims that those with investments in the timber industry could benefit from this new popularity of timber framed homes. The researchers claim that new regulations, such as the Code for Sustainable Homes is helping to promote timber as one of the lowest carbon forms of construction material.

“The research carried out by MTW Research was very comprehensive,” stated FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins. He added, “Around 80 per cent of the industry was involved in the study and much of the industry seemed extremely positive about what the future holds in store for them.” Growing demand is expected to come from the house-building sector, but also from the commercial, leisure and retail sectors, which are all also under pressure to turn to more sustainable building materials.

FRA is an advocate of investment in sustainable forestry projects, such as those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. More and more people are investing in alternative asset classes such as forestry as the traditional financial markets continue to be volatile places to invest – where people can lose a fortune overnight.

“Investing in forestry and timber, however, is much less risky,” added Mr Collins, who went on to say, “If your timber stocks come to maturity at a time when the market is less than strong, you can just hold on a little longer before harvesting and watch your asset continue to grow in the meantime.”

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com