Report: Int'l RE Still Relatively Healthy

Although there has been a lot of talk about home price "bubbles" bursting worldwide, the truth is that real estate remains relatively healthy in a number of countries, according to a recent report by ResearchWorldwide.com.According to the report, of the 22 countries ResearchWorldwide monitors, the rate of house price increases has remained positive in 19 countries over the past 24 months. "Admittedly, the rate of house price increases in most countries [has] slowed down since the heady peaks of mid-2003, however this is a healthy sign of air slowly being let out of the over-inflated balloon," ResearchWorldwide.com said. "This slowing down in the rate of house price increases is welcome, as it allows housing markets to cool down, especially from investor hype, which could be damaging if remained unchecked."