Global Real Estate News

Dubai | ReNews Pakistan

Construction projects worldwide are facing growing challenges as slow approvals, fragmented documentation and administrative bottlenecks contribute to delays, rising costs and difficulties in meeting completion deadlines.

A global survey conducted by construction and real estate management technology company PlanRadar has highlighted widespread inefficiencies affecting project delivery across Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

The PlanRadar Construction Survey Report 2026 gathered responses from 1,728 construction professionals across 14 countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

According to the findings, nearly three quarters of respondents reported that project approvals and decisions frequently take longer than expected.

Approximately one in four construction professionals said approval delays typically extend project schedules by more than a month.

The report also found that projects experiencing persistent approval delays were more than twice as likely to face delays of at least one month compared with projects where approvals were handled efficiently.

Cost overruns emerged as another major concern. Around two thirds of respondents identified changes introduced during construction as a common cause of budget increases across multiple projects.

These changes may involve design modifications, revised technical requirements or adjustments to project specifications after construction has begun.

The survey further revealed that approximately 80% of professionals reported that at least half of their project documentation was scattered across emails, phone calls, messages and verbal instructions.

Such fragmented communication makes it difficult to track decisions, establish accountability and identify responsibility when disputes or delays occur.

According to the report, 70% of professionals who could easily access project documentation expressed confidence in their ability to demonstrate responsibility for delays or additional costs.

In comparison, only 35% of respondents dealing with poorly organised documentation reported similar confidence.

PlanRadar Co-Founder and Co-CEO Ibrahim Imam said that even relatively minor administrative delays could create significant consequences as construction activity increases.

He emphasised the need for construction companies to improve accountability, streamline approvals and ensure faster access to reliable project information ahead of 2027.

The survey also highlighted the growing importance of digital construction management systems.

Four out of five professionals using centralised digital systems to record project changes reported improvements in their ability to control costs or protect profit margins.

Additionally, 58% of respondents expected artificial intelligence to help reduce workloads associated with project delivery and change management.

The findings also offer lessons for developing construction markets, including Pakistan, where housing project approvals, coordination among contractors, documentation management and timely project completion remain important industry concerns.

The survey was conducted in January 2026, while its findings were highlighted again in October in relation to construction project risks in the UAE.

Pakistan was not separately assessed in the survey, and the results represent respondents' reported experiences rather than direct measurements of all construction projects worldwide.

Frankfurt | ReNews Pakistan

Demand for housing loans across the eurozone has declined sharply as rising interest rates, higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty continue to affect residential property markets.

According to the European Central Bank's (ECB) latest Bank Lending Survey, released on October 27, mortgage loan demand recorded a net decline of 27% during the third quarter of 2026, compared with a negative 15% in the preceding quarter.

The survey indicates that the deterioration in housing loan demand was significantly greater than banks had previously anticipated. Financial institutions had expected a net decline of 12% for the third quarter, but actual demand proved considerably weaker.

The ECB identified higher interest rates as the primary factor behind the decline in mortgage demand. Weaker consumer confidence and concerns about the future outlook of the residential property market also contributed to reduced borrowing activity.

Higher interest rates increase the cost of long-term mortgage financing, potentially raising monthly repayments and reducing affordability for prospective homebuyers.

As a result, households may postpone property purchases, reconsider their housing budgets or avoid taking on additional financial commitments.

According to the survey, banks generally kept their credit standards for housing loans unchanged during the third quarter. However, lending conditions for businesses and consumer credit became more restrictive.

Looking ahead, banks expect credit standards to tighten across housing, business and consumer lending during the final quarter of 2026.

European financial institutions have also highlighted increasing credit risks and greater caution in lending decisions as important factors influencing their policies.

Economic uncertainty, fluctuating energy prices and geopolitical developments continue to create additional challenges for the region's financial sector.

In France, uncertainty surrounding public finances has added pressure to lending conditions, while banks across the eurozone are adopting a more cautious approach to assessing borrowers' financial positions.

The slowdown in mortgage demand represents an important signal for Europe's residential real estate and construction industries.

Persistently high financing costs could delay home purchases, weaken residential investment and potentially affect the pace of new housing developments.

The ECB's latest findings underline the importance of interest rate developments, consumer confidence and lending conditions in determining the future direction of the eurozone housing market.

However, the figures refer specifically to countries using the euro rather than Europe as a whole.

The reported negative 27% represents the net percentage of surveyed banks reporting falling rather than rising mortgage demand. It does not mean that the total number or value of mortgage loans declined by 27%.

The latest survey highlights the continuing challenges facing housing finance markets as European households and financial institutions adjust to changing economic and borrowing conditions.

Riyadh | ReNews Pakistan

Saudi Arabia has completed the registration of more than two million property records under its digital real estate registration system, while the number of properties announced for registration across the Kingdom has exceeded five million.

The development marks a significant step towards improving transparency in the real estate sector, protecting property ownership rights and modernising the country's property registration infrastructure.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing and Chairman of the Real Estate General Authority (REGA), Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, announced the progress on October 26, highlighting the phased implementation of Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Registration Law.

According to the minister, the registration system maintains comprehensive information about properties, including their legal and physical status, geographical location, ownership details and historical records.

The initiative aims to establish reliable property identification, reduce potential ownership disputes and provide greater legal certainty in real estate transactions.

Saudi authorities clarified that the five million properties announced for registration and the two million properties already registered represent separate figures. Property owners in designated areas are required to complete registration procedures within officially announced deadlines.

Al-Hogail said the next phase would focus on expanding the digital registration system to all cities and regions of Saudi Arabia while introducing additional online services for property owners, investors and other stakeholders.

Chief Executive Officer of the Real Estate General Authority, Engineer Abdullah Al-Hammad, said the progress demonstrated improvements in the implementation of real estate regulations and the protection of ownership rights.

He noted that an accurate and officially verified property database would help strengthen confidence among domestic and international investors.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulaiman, Chief Executive Officer of the National Real Estate Registration Services Company, explained that every registered property receives a comprehensive record supported by a legal ownership certificate.

The record includes geographical information, property specifications and historical ownership details.

Under the applicable legal framework, a registered ownership certificate can acquire conclusive evidentiary status after one year, subject to the relevant legal requirements.

The Kingdom has also launched a new registration phase covering 28,547 property plots in additional areas of Riyadh. The registration period began on October 25, 2026, and will continue until January 28, 2027.

The latest developments form part of Saudi Arabia's broader real estate transformation strategy under Vision 2030, focusing on digitalisation, improved urban planning, transparent land administration and a more secure investment environment.

By strengthening property documentation and ownership verification, the Kingdom aims to create a more efficient, reliable and investor-friendly real estate market.