In recent years there has been a growing debate on price, value and worth, particularly in the UK, but increasingly taking on a European perspective as a result of the Single European Act and subsequent Maastricht Treaty. European integration facilitates cross‐border investment and the globalization of business activities. Consequently, there is increasing pressure on valuers to work towards the development of common investment valuation standards within Europe. Furthermore, there is a need to appraise the investment worth of properties, as well as understand local pricing methods, together with greater transparency of investment valuation methodologies and practices. This paper discusses the theoretical arguments surrounding the valuation standards prevalent in the UK and looks towards the potential for uniformly accepted valuation standards across European Union countries.

Outlines the case for the harmonisation of European investment valuation standards. Specific attention focuses upon the national valuation standards within Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany and France with a view to assessing the prospects for uniformly accepted European investment valuation standards. Current practice and perceptions from interviews with 110 valuers are analysed. Educational background and professional training are shown to be influential in decisions upon whether to use national standards, TEGOVA standards or the RICS Red Book. The advent of property performance index series is shown to be a major factor influencing the harmonisation of valuation methods and standards. Conclusions reflect upon the variation between the four countries and the limited progress on the adoption of harmonised standards in Europe.

Regeneration concerns the physical and economic renewal of locations with development and investment in property a fundamental part of the process and product. Considers the case of Dublin, where designated areas, including the dock-lands, have been stimulated by taxation breaks within a structure-agency model. These mechanisms are initially reviewed to provide a context in which the property market has been operating. Focuses on the performance of office property in Dublin and compares rental return evidence for the city centre market with that for the International Financial Services Centre, one of the original designated renewal areas in the dock-lands. Conclusions focus on how taxation breaks can be used to create new office locations and how the regeneration market can become tax-driven with dual structures existing between urban regeneration areas and the prime market.

No abstract

No abstract