Germans lead the way in international real estate investment over last decade

German investors have pumped $151 billion into international real estate in the last decade, making them the most important and most active source of cross border capital, according to a new analysis.

German groups have continued to invest outside of its domestic market during the last 10 even when other investors have reigned in cross border activity, says the report from JLL's International Capital Group.

This has put them ahead of capital outflow from North America at $133 billion and the UK at $100 billion.

Despite a widespread investment policy targeting over 40 countries, 82% of German outbound investment has been allocated to mature markets found in Western Europe and North America.

The analysis also shows that the majority, 80%, of German capital flows have targeted core office product, with retail investment accounting for a further 13%.

‘Despite being challenged by Norwegian, Chinese and Canadian investors, with their established presence in many global property markets we anticipate German investors will maintain their international investment focus,’ said Matt Richards, head of International Capital Group Europe at JLL.

Domestically, German investors also dominate their local market. Since 2004, German capital has accounted on average 52% of real estate investment in Germany. However, JLL analysis of under bidder activity suggests that international demand is stronger than purchaser figures indicated.

According to data collected from €1.3 billion of office transactions above €100 million in the last 18 months, 65% of purchasers were domestic. Some 72% of the under bidders were cross border investors from the United States, Korea, the UK, China, Czech Republic, Canada, France and other countries. These underbids totalled almost €7 billion.

According to Marcus Lütgering, head of Office Investment Germany at JLL, the amount of capital allocated to real estate continues to grow at a global level.

‘We expect the cross border flow of investment targeting Germany to increase, as traditional investor groups from Europe and North American and newer entrants from Asia and the Middle East start to bid more aggressively and secure assets which previously might have ended up having domestic owners,’ he said.