The Property Fund Investment in Europe 2007 report presents views on the market for property investment based on a survey of 100 leading asset managers across Europe. The report, which covers mass market, high net worth and institutional customer groups, forms part of a series looking at the market for alternative investments in Europe.

When asset managers from the five largest European markets were asked which geographic areas are of most interest to the investors in their home country, most selected Europe as the area that is most popular. They also believed that the majority of investors were looking to invest in mixed use funds rather than in a single property type. When asked which sector the investors in their country preferred to invest in, 53.9% said that mixed use funds was the most popular strategy. The main appeal of a mixed use portfolio is the extra level of diversification it offers investors, as the different sectors of property are not necessarily closely linked in terms of performance. There is a general trend towards favoring the dismantling of regulatory and tax barriers that exist in respect of onshore property funds, although far fewer asset managers believe that a corresponding increase in the regulations governing offshore funds would improve the onshore market.