(Bratislava, September 28th, 2023):
The CMS European Real Estate Deal Point Study 2023 now includes over 2,500 transactions, spanning the period from 2010 to 2022. This comprehensive study has empowered CMS to identify significant market trends and guide their clients through the dynamic landscape of European real estate.
CMS’ analysis of the real estate market in 2022 revealed the following key trends:
- Demand for office property is on the rise again. Following the record low of 2021 (19%), investor interest in this segment revived. Its percentage share rose to 24%, making office real estate the most sought-after asset class in Europe alongside residential property.
- Investment in residential properties accounted for a 24% share of the market. That made them the most sought-after asset class with regard to the transactions on which CMS advised. The main reason for the popularity of residential properties is the stable income that they generate, which is particularly attractive to investors during uncertain times.
- International investors accounted for the majority of real estate investments. At 54%, their share was almost the same as in the previous year (55%). National buyers, whose investments accounted for 46%, dominated the market as recently as 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This trend has now reversed slightly in favour of international investors, following the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions.
- Sustained a strong desire for security on the part of sellers. The proportion of transactions in which steps were taken to ensure the buyer met its financial obligations remained at the record high level of 70% seen in the previous year (2021).
- Buyers were frequently able to negotiate favourable terms with regard to contractual provisions on limitation periods. On the one hand, the parties agreed to the buyer-friendly statutory limitation rules more often than before. On the other, limitation periods of more than 24 months were often agreed in 2022, whilst there was a slight fall in the proportion of short limitation periods of up to 18 months.
- Notable increase in seller-friendly limits on liability. De minimis and basket clauses were agreed significantly more often in 2022 (52% and 42%, respectively), thus setting the market standard even in more buyer-friendly times. This represented an 8% increase in de minimis clauses and a 10% increase in basket clauses in transactions carried out by CMS last year. Most interestingly, the number of transactions with agreements on limits to liability was particularly high in Eastern Europe, including de minimis clauses (70%), basket clauses (52%) and caps (75%) – a trend that has since driven segment growth in Europe more widely.
To access the full report, click here: https://cms.law/en/bel/publication/cms-european-real-estate-deal-point-study-2023.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Michal Huťan
Partner, Real Estate, Construction, EPC
CMS Bratislava
E: michal.hutan@cms-cmno.com
M: +421 940 637 841
Soňa Hanková
Partner, Corporate M&A, Real Estate
CMS Bratislava
E: sona.hankova@cms-rrh.com
About CMS: Founded in 1999, CMS is an integrated, multi-jurisdictional organisation of law firms that offers full-service legal and tax advice. With more than 70 offices in over 40 countries across the world and more than 5,000 lawyers, CMS has long-standing expertise both in advising in its local jurisdictions and across borders. From major multinationals and mid-caps to enterprising start-ups, CMS provides the technical rigour, strategic excellence and long-term partnership to keep each client ahead in its chosen markets.
The CMS member firms provide a wide range of expertise across 19 practice areas and sectors, including Corporate/M&A, Energy & Climate Change, Funds, Life Sciences & Healthcare, TMC, Tax, Banking & Finance, Commercial, Antitrust, Competition & Trade, Dispute Resolution, Employment & Pensions, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Consumer Products and Hotels & Leisure. For more information, please visit: www.cms.law
