Park Avenue property owners are feeling a little poorer.

In what seemed like a New York-minute, prices of luxury homes in the area suddenly started to fall. One penthouse owner on Central Park West repeatedly slashed the asking price down to $9.9 million from an original $16.5 million — and still no takers.

“Up through the end of this summer, there were almost two markets in Manhattan, the high-end and everything else,” said Jonathan Miller, president and chief executive of Miller Samuel Inc., a real estate appraisal and consulting firm.

That all changed after Sept. 7 when the government seized control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giants.

“People started thinking the high-end market is just as vulnerable as the rest,” Miller said.

The median sales price of a luxury apartment slipped nearly 4 percent to $4,022,000 between October and December compared with the same period a year ago, according to Prudential Douglas Elliman’s quarterly report released Tuesday. The report defines the luxury market as the upper 10 percent of sales prices.

The market held up better for the merely somewhat-rich. The median price for all Manhattan apartments — $900,000 — gained almost 6 percent in the quarter, the report said. Another report from Brown Harris Stevens, also released Tuesday, showed the median sales price rose nearly 8 percent during the quarter.

But each report shows a weakening market overall. Inventory has soared and sales volume has slowed. And this is likely just the beginning.

“Most of these (fourth-quarter) sales were negotiated before Lehman Brothers collapsed. The anxiety has intensified. We’ll see more of an effect in the upcoming quarters,” said Gregory Heym, chief economist at Brown Harris Stevens.

The luxury market started to totter in September when the stock markets tanked and major Wall Street firms started to vanish. Wealthy homeowners have since cut their asking prices, trying to move properties before the bleeding gets worse.

“You’ve got a market where suddenly people don’t have the wealth they had before. Those who helped to build Wall Street to the stratosphere don’t know what their futures look like now,” said Rick Goodwin, publisher of Ultimate Homes and its parent publication Unique Homes.

Nearly 42 percent of the 259 Manhattan homes currently listed for $10 million or more were dumped on the market since September, according to StreetEasy.com, a New York City listings web site.

Dubai Investment Properties (DIP), one of the leading real estate developers in UAE, today announced the launch of its exclusive multi-million ‘Sunset’ mixed-use development project in Dubai. The signature ‘Sunset’ development will include a high-end luxury shopping mall, boutique offices and lavish residential apartments in the heart of Dubai, along beach road in the upscale Jumeira 3 neighbourhood and stretching out into the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

“Sunset will be a unique development combining the best in architecture and the latest ‘green’ technology initiatives. It will be a real piece of art, where sophisticated, intellectual and brand-conscious customers can indulge their tastes for opulence and high living, with exclusive facilities and services. Sunset will set new standards in shopping in Dubai and will become the preferred venue for customers, who appreciate discretion, exclusive service and an ambience of elegance and class,” says Mr. Francois Faure, Executive Director, DIP.

With the launch of Sunset, Dubai Investment Properties plans to set a new parameter in luxury retail experience for customers looking to buy high-end international brands and become the most prestigious address for lifestyle seekers in Dubai. Sunset Mall will host over 97 outlets with a strong retail mix, including new high-end retail store concepts as well as international boutique brands. The mall will also offer customers VIP services and fine dining experiences with gourmet food restaurants, all of which will offer panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf.

Sunset will feature engaging architecture designed to showcase the best of international and local designers. Arkiteknik International, the architects for this development, have combined water, glass and steel at the Sunset Mall to offer retailers and guests an experience like never before. The interior of the Mall will feature the latest innovations in LCD and LED technology, offering visual effects not seen anywhere else in the city.

This year will be among the worst for the U.S. commercial real estate industry, as unemployment leads to a drop of as much as 30 percent in rents in some places and more office towers from Washington to Chicago and Los Angeles sit empty, according to several research reports from large commercial real estate service companies.

“2009 is going to be dismal for commercial real estate,” said John F. Sikaitis, director of research for Jones Lang LaSalle, a real estate services company. “Demand for space is way down. Sales activity is down. Rents are falling dramatically and vacancies are increasing. That’s forcing landlords to compete and lower their rents.”

Nationally, rents are expected to drop 10 to 15 percent. Manhattan rates could drop as much 30 percent. Nationally, the vacancy rate is likely to rise to 18 percent from 15.3 percent, Sikaitis said. Especially hard hit could be places where there’s a lot of office construction, including the Washington region, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Houston.

This comes as billions of dollars in loans on office buildings, malls and warehouses are coming due in the next few years and real estate owners are struggling to refinance their deals. That could lead to banks taking back properties and force some owners to sell at a loss.

Roughly $107 billion worth of hotels, office buildings and shopping centers are in trouble, ranging from mortgage delinquency to foreclosure, according to a report from Real Capital Analytics, a research firm.

“It’s not going to be a good 2009,” said Dan Fasulo, managing director at Real Capital. “We’re at the point where a normal, functioning market doesn’t exist. Buyers are there, but they don’t necessarily want to make an acquisition. Pile on top of everything that we don’t have a functioning debt market. It creates paralysis in the market.”

New York is projected to be among the hardest hit. The financial services industry there has been decimated by job losses, and companies are dumping office space back on the market. In Chicago, a 12 percent vacancy rate is expected to reach 15 percent or higher by the end of 2009. And in Orange County, Calif., vacancy rates could hit 19 percent from 15 percent in 2007.

You have probably read all the information on the market as it relates to real estate investing and are well aware that many of the world’s millionaires made their fortunes in the real estate market. As a result I’m sure that you feel ready to throw your hat into the ring and begin your own real estate portfolio. There is certainly nothing wrong with this as an investment strategy though there are many wrong ways in which an investor can go about the process.

Flipping properties is my field of experience and a good deal of what will be discussed here will relate to flipping properties though some of the information can be crossed over into rental properties and other types of real estate investment. Even personal property can be a real estate investment. Real estate is one of the few forms of investment in today’s society in which you can actually see the changes as they are occurring.

It is truly amazing to watch a property that was once neglected and in a state of disrepair suddenly spark back to life right before your very eyes. There is a lot of work involved in this process though and this is often overlooked. Much like labor in light of birth. The pains are quickly forgotten when looking into the face of the outcome.

Keep these things in mind for your first time and you should be well on your way to future success. You should also realize that the first few investments are learning experiences more than anything else. If you do not achieve the success you were hoping for (or success to a lesser degree than hoped) you should not give up on the dream all together simply learn from the mistakes you will make along the way as well as the mistakes that others have made.

Real estate investing is not an exact science. There is no formula in this business that guarantees success. Even seasoned professionals will find the occasional bump in the road even on a property for which they had high expectations. Stuff happens along the way that cost money, delay the project, or set the project back. These things are stumbling blocks no doubt but should not be allowed to derail the entire project. When these things happens go back to your original plan, reassess the situation and create a new plan with the necessary adjustments in mind. The key is in sticking to a plan the entire time and never throwing the plan out the window and flying by the seat of your pants.

Your plan will be your lifeline throughout the project. You need to have a plan and a budget in writing. One great rule of thumb is that you set aside double the amount of money you plan for in your budget. This gives you a bit of a safety net for the inevitable things that will go wrong. Things will go wrong on almost every flip you encounter. Even the seasoned professionals that have television shows about their flipping efforts encounter problems in almost every single flip, rehab, or renovation.

For your first few investment purchases it is recommended that you purchase properties that need little more than minor cosmetic repair rather than complete rehabs or renovations. This allows you to get your feet wet without the incredible risk of going off the deep end mentally, emotionally, and financially. These properties represent lower profits but also lower risk. They also allow you to gain valuable experience and raise a little capital in which to invest in properties requiring more extensive work in the future.

Keep your eye on the carrot at the end of the project. Far too many would be property investors give up just before they reach the point of true profitability. The goal is the profit at the end of the project.

For those of you who watch on the edges of your seats week after week as people on cable television seek to successfully turn a lump of coal of a house into a diamond that is suitable for kings and queens of the middle class to call home it is quite possible that you have considered ‘flipping’ a home of your own. This is a great way to make a nice tidy profit in real estate rather quickly if proper planning and attention to detail is made in the process.

Believe it or not, when done correctly and within reasonable time and budget constraints, projects such as this can be a great challenge that is also a ton of fun. First of all, the average citizen isn’t allowed to play with power tools on a regular basis and Tim Allen has taught us exactly how fun power tools can be. Keep in mind that he has also taught us just how dangerous they can be as well. The point is that it is often fun to learn new things and for many of us, working with power tools is a new thing. For those experienced with power tools, there are still likely to be some fun new things on the horizon when doing a real estate flip.

Even if power tools aren’t exactly your cup of tea, perhaps you have always wanted to try your hand at creating a color scheme or a trial run at renovating a kitchen or bathroom. Beyond a great way to have fun while turning a profit, a house flip can be a great practice session for changes you’d like to make within your own home. Most of us learn best by making mistakes. Isn’t it best to make mistakes with Formica or Corian (r) rather than the granite countertops we’d prefer in our own kitchens and baths?

This also gives you the opportunity to see how things you are considering for your home look in other homes before incorporating them into your home. If you are considering a certain type of laminate flooring, try it in a house that you are flipping. This is the ultimate opportunity to use trial and error when making design and décor plans for your own home. Even better is the fact that you can be working towards a profit as you do just that and I personally do not know of anyone that does not appreciate a nice hefty bit of profit every now and then.

Another fun thing about flipping real estate is that you often get the opportunity to work with the people you love. This is a great opportunity to get friends and family involved in the process of creating a masterpiece right by your side. The price for their time and labor is often some good music, a tasty pizza, and a couple of cold sodas (or beers provided the work is done for the day and everyone is walking home of course).

Even children can be of some help in these projects though you want to be very careful that they aren’t too much help with power tools and paintbrushes. Typically have older children help with landscaping projects and find someone to care for younger children (the tools, fumes, and temptations for small children simply may prove too risky to be practical).

Real estate investment remains one of the consistent ways of securing guaranteed returns on investment, even in the face of the current world financial crisis. It does not only assure investors of equity returns on investment, it can also be used as a regular income provider, either through rental income or outright sale.

Real estate also allows for a global playing field for any interested investor regardless of status, nationality or educational background.

The Group Managing Director, Xpress Property Services, Mr. Segun Alli, says that easy money can be made with proper study of the property market and available funds, especially in off plan purchases and property flipping.

According to him, starting a real estate business will depend on the level at which one is beginning. It may be as a one short investment, creating a portfolio or as a profession. But whichever level, one decides, good study of the property market globally is the best initial investment to make before financial commitment. However, depending on the country one chooses to invest in, a bit of cash as equity contribution may be required except where there is no form of mortgages, then a significant amount of money may be required to get started. In summary, one’s financial liquidity will determine his entry level and no fixed amount can be used as a yardstick.

Alli says, “To be a trusted player in the real estate world, integrity is vital and so the issue of regulation remains a good mechanism to enhance public confidence and maintain standard by all players and practitioners. In the United States, for example, to be a realtor, you require both federal and state licences with a mandatory renewal annually and some yearly hours of continuous education, unlike in Nigeria and in some European countries where there are limited regulations and some voluntary membership.

“The best way, however, is to carry out a proper and detailed check on the transactions and players with a lawyer involved at all times. Never deal from the briefcase but with a registered physical office.”

Qualifications required as a realtor depends on country of practice. In the US, for instance, you have to be educated as a realtor and licensed to practise. In the United Kingdom and Nigeria, basic qualifications are required but no active legislations yet to pursue the implementation. However, a good knowledge of existing laws within each market is key.

He says that despite the global downturn in the world property market, especially in the US, there are many good deals available where quick equity can be assured if there is available funds and good understanding of the market. It is always good to work with experienced estate agents as guide to give proper advice and lead.

Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Egypt represent a few of the emerging markets in Africa. Countries like Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and France as well as the Caribbean Islands also control high stake in real estate business. If for example, one buys property off plan, equity will grow even before completion with opportunity to sell at a higher price before handover, thus creating cash turnaround on investments.

Alli explains that one of the best ways to scout for customers is to showcase services and properties in specialised property related magazines and use online property search. It is also good to use services of professionals in the property services market.

He adds that both buy-to-sell and buy-to-let are very profitable depending on location and property situations, pointing out that for quicker returns on investment, buy-to-sell will do better and that buy-to-let will probably ensure a more regular cash flow and more equity, although it takes time to build up and risk exposure may be more unless close study of market situations is observed.

He states that one can start real estate business individually and still succeed but as a practitioner, the vision and size will depend on manpower needed for effective operation.

According to Alli, the challenges in real estate are numerous as much as the rewards. But the greatest will be market situations and available funds either as liquid cash or borrowed funds, especially in the current global credit crunch environment and the down trend shift in property market.

The Chief Executive Officer, K777 International Limited, Mr. Kola Adiji, says real estate remains a strong and profitable investment globally. He states that history has shown that a substantial proportion of the world’s wealthiest people have had real estate playing a crucial part in the accumulation of their fortune.

Adiji says there are investment options open in real estate.

According to him, “For pure investment strategy, with about N500,000 you can go for land speculation. Buy land in up-coming areas where you foresee future growth and the price appreciates in no distant time. But you need to choose well and involve a lawyer, who is versed in land matters to safeguard the transactions. You can also target fairly worn out or dilapidated buildings with proper sense of price bargaining power. This yields high profit margin on your investment. But you need a reliable professional assessment, while taking this option to minimise cost.

“You can buy and redevelop. This creates new value for your market. You can focus on commercial development, such as stores, shopping complexes, office space, warehouses, etc in strategic business areas. So, also, you can invest in accommodation.

“Cities like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and other commercial capitals have the ratio of buildings to the population very low. Therefore, residential accommodation will remain a good option for a long time to come, since the government is not proactive in responding to the situation.”

Germany on Sunday guaranteed all private bank accounts and negotiated a 50 billion euro ($69 billion) bailout deal for Hypo Real Estate AG as Europe’s second largest economy sought to ward off financial crisis.

The Finance Ministry and private banks reached a deal late Sunday to infuse an additional line of credit worth up to 15 billion euros ($21 billion) into the embattled real estate giant, expanding on an earlier 35 billion euro ($48 billion) bailout plan that would have found the government and private banks splitting the bill.

The earlier deal fell apart Saturday when Hypo announced that a consortium of unnamed financial institutions had backed out. That prompted banking executives and lawmakers to convene in the capital for feverish talks toward the new deal they unveiled late Sunday.

The new package includes the original 35 billion euro (48.4 billion) plan with the government paying up to 27 billion euros ($37 billion) of that sum and banks funding the remainder as a line of credit.

New is an additional 15 billion euro ($21 billion) line of insured credit from the banks.

The ministry said in a statement that the new deal would “strengthen the financial community of Germany in difficult times.”

Earlier Sunday, Germany joined Ireland and Greece in taking drastic independent measures to protect its private citizens by guaranteeing all private bank and savings accounts as well as time deposits, or CDs.

Finance Ministry spokesman Torsten Albig said the unlimited guarantee covered some 568 billion euros ($785 billion) in investments.

Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed that she would not let the failure of any company disrupt the German economy.

“We will not allow the distress of one financial institution to distress the entire system,” she told reporters.

Merkel said the plan would ensure that anyone who made reckless market decisions would be made to answer for their actions.

Hypo was the first German blue chip to seek a government rescue. It rant into trouble in mid-September as credit froze on international markets after its Dublin-based unit, Depfa Bank PLC, failed to attract needed short-term funding amid the widening credit crunch.

A spokesman for Ireland’s department of finance said the government would not help Germany bail out Hypo or its subsidiary.

Casamia Star Gesamtplanung Real Estate, a leading German Developer and Broker, has asserted the importance of Cityscape Dubai in exposing the real estate market to the local and foreign investors, developers and buyers.

This occasion provides an opportunity for companies and institutions to share knowledge, exhibit services and launch new projects.

When asked about the event, Mr. Aqib Salam, General Manager of Casamia Star Gesamtplanung, said:

Cityscape Dubai is one of the most anticipated events in the UAE for the role it plays in refreshing the vibrant real estate industry after the summer. It is also appreciated for the information shared among key stakeholders revealing iconic projects in Dubai. These colossal projects reflect the security and potency of the UAE market making it capable of facing the world economy crisis.

Mr. Salam added, ‘Cityscape Dubai further promotes and develops the real estate market across the globe and sets the market direction and trend for the upcoming year. It provides a common platform that brings industry experts together to discuss regional and global development in the sector disseminating information and introducing new technologies related directly or indirectly to the industry.’

After launching Frankfurt Residence and Tulip Residence, in Marmooka City, Ajman, Casamia Star is currently in the planning phase for some exciting residential and hospitality projects to be unveiled in a short period of time in Dubai, Ajman and Ras-al-Khaimah. Among further upcoming agreements, the company has signed an agreement with the Chinese Best Eastern to exclusively sell and market for their projects in the UAE worth Dhs400m.

Japan’s stocks dropped, driving the Topix index below 1,000 points for the first time since December 2003, after the global credit crisis deepened in Europe and the yen jumped, cutting the value of overseas sales.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. plunged 9.2 percent after worsening credit conditions forced new bailouts of Hypo Real Estate Holding AG and Fortis. Nintendo Co., which gets 80 percent of its sales from overseas markets, lost 8 percent as the yen surged to its highest versus the euro since May 2006. Nippon Steel Corp. sank 7.8 percent on concern demand will wane.

“This is probably the worst market I’ve ever seen,” said Hideo Arimura, who oversees the equivalent of $1.9 billion at Mizuho Asset Management Co. “It’s totally dark and there’s nothing that prompts investors to buy stocks.”

The Topix fell 48.92, or 4.7 percent, to close at 999.05 in Tokyo. Only 93 of 1,714 members included in the index rose. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 465.05, or 4.3 percent, to 10,473.09.

The Nikkei lost 8 percent last week, its biggest drop since August 2007, on concern the passage of a $700 billion bank bailout by the U.S. will fail to stimulate demand for Japan’s exports. The benchmark is down 32 percent this year, set for its second straight annual drop.

Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan’s largest listed bank, lost 9.2 percent to 806 yen, the steepest plunge since October 2003, while Resona Holdings Inc., the fourth biggest, plummeted 9.5 percent to 119,800 yen.

Europe Growth

Germany agreed on a $68 billion plan for commercial property lender Hypo and BNP Paribas SA, France’s biggest lender, said it will take over Fortis in Belgium and Luxembourg. The bailouts in Europe follow failures in the U.S., including Bear Stearns Cos. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. that spurred the $700 billion rescue package.

The European Union’s failure to come up with a unified approach to tackling the financial crisis at Saturday’s summit meeting of the EU’s four biggest economies shows that European politicians haven’t yet realized the dimension of the risks facing the financial system, write German media commentators.

Governments effectively agreed to go it alone in shoring up troubled financial institutions in their countries — the wrong response given how interwoven Europe’s financial markets are.

The divisions were highlighted on Sunday when Germany became the latest country to give a state guarantee for bank deposits in a move that has put other countries like the United Kingdom under pressure to follow suit.

Now Germany, Ireland, Greece, Denmark and Austria have given such guarantees, reflecting concern that the crisis could cause a disastrous rush to withdraw cash from banks, media commentators write.

German editorial page writers say it’s no longer enough for politicians to point the finger of blame for the crisis at bank managers. The current escalation of the problem isn’t due to reckless speculation and poor risk management, they argue, but rather the threat of a systemic crisis that is undermining confidence in the entire banking system and preventing banks from lending each other money.

At this point, commentators write, it’s only the governments that can stop the crisis spreading.